On the opening day of IndyCar Series practice for the 92nd Indy 500 on May 25, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and her campaign party swung by the Speedway, Secret Service agents clearing the way in Gasoline Alley as she met with owner-driver Sarah Fisher and Indy Racing League officials in Fisher's team garage.
Out on the track, Tony Kanaan (Andretti Green Racing) and Helio Castroneves (Team Penske) were soon running 224 m.p.h, and Danica Patrick (Andretti Green Racing) topped 223 by mid-afternoon. Fastest of the day was Marco Andretti (Andretti Green Racing) at 226.599, with Kanaan second quickest at 225.269 and Scott Dixon (Target Chip Ganassi Racing) third at 225.001.
Clinton, who is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for presidential, arrived at the Brickyard late in the morning and chatted with Fisher and her team for more than 40 minutes, during which time Fisher presented her with an autographed helmet. Clinton, in turn, fiddled with Fisher's steering wheel on her No. 67 Sarah Fisher Racing Dallara/Honda and learned about the car's paddle shift system.
"I was thrilled to have a chance to meet Sarah and her team," Clinton said. "The first owner-driver who is a woman is a big deal. She's a trailblazer, and I hope to be a trailblazer myself. I've never been to the Speedway before, and to be part of this historic event even in a minor way like today is a thrill for me. I admire people who set goals and do their best to achieve them. I admire people who come together to try and really set their sights high and do their best to achieve them."
In fact, Fisher isn't the first woman owner-driver to be competing for a spot in the Indy 500. Janet Guthrie and Lyn St. James did it before her.
Fisher was the third woman to compete in the Indy 500, and she was the first female driver to win a pole in the IndyCar Series, achieving the feat at Kentucky in 2002.
"It's certainly an honor and very much a privilege to have Senator Clinton here endorsing our race team and what we're doing, and we certainly endorse her and her campaign for president," said Fisher, who got on track late and managed a best lap of 217.866, second slowest of the day. "Just to talk to her and hear some of the advice she gave me about being true to myself and believing in who I am and what I do and making sure that's right at the end of the day, and that being the most important."
Mike Brogdeon of Dryden, Mich., was in the garage area but not to see Clinton, who also shook hands with fans and signed autographs.
Brogdeon, 55, a retired Ford worker, was at Indy to watch A.J. Foyt and his drivers, Larry Foyt and Darren Manning.
"A.J., A.J. - I love him and Indy," Brogdeon said. "I come here nine-10 times a year. This will be my 44th straight Indy 500. I like Sarah Fisher. I'm not a big fan of Danica Patrick. She doesn't smile enough."
