Fisher & Hartman Leave Rebranded ECR Team

After eight years as a car owner Sarah Fisher is stepping away entering the 2016 season. The team announced today that the organization will be renamed Ed Carpenter Racing effective immediately. Fisher's partner Wink Hartman is also leaving the sport.

Josef Newgarden will continue to run a full-time entry for the team piloting the No. 21 car. Ed Carpenter, running the No. 20, will compete on all five oval events again this year. Newgarden will run the Fuzzy's livery during the first four events. A road and street course driver is still in play for Carpenter's car keeping a two car effort still a possibility.

"After competing for a year as CFH Racing, we will be returning to ECR for 2016 and beyond," stated Ed Carpenter. "While we had a great year as CFH Racing, we have had some partnership changes within the organization and it makes the most sense to return to ECR. I am proud of what we have accomplished as a team since we started in 2012 and look forward to building upon that success for another exciting Verizon IndyCar Series season."

ECR, owned by Tony George, Stuart Reed and Ed Carpenter, will continue to operate out of the Fisher and Hartman owned shop in Speedway.

Wink Hartman was a lifeline to Fisher's organization in December 2011. As a sponsor to the team since it's inception in 2008, Hartman stepped up to a team co-owner just before the 2012 season helping them stay on track and sign a young Josef Newgarden. Since the recent downturn in the oil industry Hartman's oil business took a significant hit, affecting his financial support of the team.

Fisher will retain an office at the ECR shop and work in a limited role with the team on the sponsor aspect of the organization. Her main focus will shift with her husband Andy to their 60,000 sq ft indoor karting facility set to open in Speedway April 1st.

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