Tag: Josef Newgarden

LAS VEGAS (March 13, 2013) -- Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world's largest real estate sales organization, today announced it will take its CENTURY 21® Agents: Smarter. Bolder. Faster® campaign to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, when it will team up with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR). CENTURY 21 will serve as the primary sponsor for IZOD IndyCar Series driver Josef Newgarden's car in the Indianapolis 500.

SFHR co-owner Sarah Fisher joined CENTURY 21 System members today in Las Vegas at its Global Conference to unveil the car design for the 2013 Indianapolis 500. Newgarden's Dallara/Honda/Firestone car will forgo its traditional No. 67 in favor of No. 21, the world's largest real estate sales organization's signature number, for the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

The No. 21 CENTURY 21 Dallara/Honda/Firestone car will debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 12, when the track opens for practice. The 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on May 26, and be broadcast on ABC television.

"Our sponsorship of the No. 21 car in the Indianapolis 500 provides another outstanding opportunity to highlight our Smarter. Bolder. Faster. campaign," said Bev Thorne, chief marketing officer, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. "Whether it's the Super Bowl, the Olympics, U.S. Soccer, or the Indy 500, we want to showcase the capabilities of our sales professionals in front of the largest audience possible."

The Indianapolis 500 is the world's largest single-day annual sporting event with more than 300,000 people in attendance each year.

"Being part of a team that brings new partners to IndyCar is an honor for us here at SFHR," said Fisher. "We are very proud to represent such a strong brand whose household name resonates well beyond their industry. It will be a "Smarter. Bolder. Faster." Indy 500 for us painted in the CENTURY 21 colors."

The CENTURY 21 marketing campaign is a perfect fit for Newgarden, who as a 21-year old rookie turned heads at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012 by topping the speed charts on multiple practice days.

Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) was established in 2008 and is owned by former driver Sarah Fisher, the youngest woman ever to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the first woman to run a full IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, and businessman Wink Hartman. SFHR has competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series since 2008, earning its first victory in 2011 at Kentucky Speedway.

Century 21 Real Estate LLC (CENTURY21.com) is the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, providing comprehensive training and marketing support for the CENTURY 21 System. The System is comprised of approximately 7,100 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 73 countries and territories worldwide with more than 100,000 sales professionals. Century 21 Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services.

The No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) Dallara/Honda/Firestone car of Josef Newgarden produces sounds that inspire excitement at every turn of the track, and in 2013 Klipsch, a leading global manufacturer of premium speakers and headphones that capture the power and passion of live performances, will back SFHR.

Indianapolis-based Klipsch will outfit the brand new SFHR state-of-the-art facility in Speedway, Ind. with top end speakers in every room to ensure premium sound and amp up SFHR's ability to entertain sponsors and host events.

"Working together with Klipsch, we look forward to entertaining visitors and hosting large events at our new race shop with the enhanced sound of an SFHR experience," said Sarah Fisher, co-owner of SFHR. "It is very important to the growth of our company to continue building relationships with partners like Klipsch, who believe in the value of our team and our program with the IZOD IndyCar Series."

SFHR's new 40,000 square foot race shop will feature Klipsch's high power speakers used at large indoor and outdoor venues. In addition, Klipsch will arrange the speakers to create an acoustic layout with ideal sound absorption and projection specifically designed for SFHR's space.

"As the team continues to grow and take its spot as one of the most competitive teams in the IZOD IndyCar Series, welcoming partners like Klipsch to the SFHR family is crucial to continued success," said Wink Hartman, co-owner of SFHR.

Klipsch will also outfit Josef Newgarden and the entire SFHR team with premium headphones as they trek to races across North and South America, including the famed Indianapolis 500.

"Klipsch and SFHR are proof that Indiana organizations are leaders of industry and sport," said Steve Klipsch, Senior Vice President of Klipsch. "Klipsch has built its legacy from a grassroots approach, outperforming larger organizations by producing the best products. Sarah Fisher has taken the same approach in building her team. I see this as a beneficial relationship for Klipsch, SFHR and the great state of Indiana."

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About Klipsch Premium Speakers:

For over 65 years, Klipsch has designed premium speakers for those who are passionate about great sound. Company founder Paul W. Klipsch started this legacy in 1946, and it continues today with sheer commitment to innovation and delivering the world's most powerful, detailed and emotional sound reproduction. Today, the brand's diverse product portfolio encompasses home theater, professional cinema, installed whole-house contracting, commercial, computer speakers, iPodR docks and headphones. As one of the first U.S. loudspeaker companies, Klipsch continues to be the high-performance brand of choice for audiophiles and home theater aficionados around the world. Klipsch Group, Inc. is also a wholly-owned subsidiary of VOXX International (NASDAQ: VOXX).

Quaker Chemical Corporation has renewed its sponsorship for 2013 with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) in an expanded sponsorship and technical partner role.

During the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season, Quaker Chemical spearheaded a research project designed to create proprietary greases and lubricants specifically engineered to combat the forces of friction, heat and wear for the unique demands of the Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Team.

Joe Berquist, Quaker VP and Managing Director North America noted, "Our first year in IndyCar with SFHR was a great experience for Quaker. With the 2013 season, we are excited to continue leveraging our technical partnership with SFHR for ongoing product development, research and ideas. SFHR is a first-class organization and their family-centric approach to business is a great fit with Quaker’s culture. Josef Newgarden is a talented, charismatic, and motivated young driver. We are looking forward to a great 2013 season."

According to SFHR co-owner Sarah Fisher, the opportunity to partner with a top-notch sponsor like Quaker Chemical so soon after the conclusion of the 2012 race season bodes well for the team as it constructs its 2013 business plan.

"We are thrilled to continue such a great working relationship and sponsorship with Quaker Chemical,” Fisher said. “Quaker has been very involved from an engineering standpoint and I know the team enjoyed rolling up their sleeves during this partnership to assist from a technical perspective. To have a continuance of support from a quality sponsor who really benefits from our sport is a true indicator of the great things to come.”

The ongoing research and development technical alliance will allow Quaker to continually develop superior lubrication technology for use within its core industries and customers.

“I am excited and proud to be able to continue SFHR partnership with Quaker,” SFHR co-owner Wink Hartman said. “Quaker’s product knowledge and support are vital to the team’s success.”

About Quaker Chemical Corporation:

Quaker Chemical is a leading global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries, including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, cans, and others. For nearly 100 years, Quaker has helped customers around the world achieve production efficiency, improve product quality, and lower costs through a combination of innovative technology, process knowledge, and customized services. Headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania USA, Quaker serves businesses worldwide with a network of dedicated and experienced professionals whose mission is to make a difference. Visit quakerchem.com to learn more.

About Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing:

Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) was established in 2008 and is owned by former driver Sarah Fisher, the youngest woman ever to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the first woman to run a full IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, and businessman Wink Hartman. SFHR has competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series since 2008, earning its first victory in 2011 at Kentucky Speedway.

Josef Newgarden and Nathan O'Rourke may be in the spotlight at the Robo-Pong 200 as former winners of the event, but there's one more Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing employee in the running. Gearbox mechanic Jon Laski will be competing in the 200-mile event with co-driver Simon Short, and Laski stands to lose more than just bragging rights if he doesn't have a good showing.

Earlier this week SFHR's crew chief Anton Julian made three bets with Laski in regard to his performance in Robo-Pong. Each bet is worth $50, and if Laski loses all three bets he has to pay up $150 and wear a pink firesuit in public for a week. The bets are:

• Laski must qualify in the top-30
• Laski must not get lapped by O'Rourke in the first stint of the race
• If he doesn't have mechanical problems, Laski must not lose to O'Rourke.

SFHR driver Josef Newgarden and his head engineer Nathan O'Rourke are used to playing on the same team to ensure the No. 67 SFHR Dallara/Honda/Firestone car is at the top of its game. However, they have maintained a healthy level of competition the entire year on challenges ranging from iRacing competitions to hair follicle count. After facing off 10 times, Newgarden and O'Rourke are tied with five victories each.

The final challenge of the season comes down to Sunday's Robo-Pong 200, where the two will face-off on different teams in the biggest kart race of the year at New Castle Motorsports Park. Newgarden will be teamed up with co-driver Mark Dismore, Jr. and O'Rourke will join forces with IZOD IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter for the 200-mile race. Both teams will be driving karts built by the same person and will share set-up data. With an even playing field, driver skill will be the difference between winning or going home a loser.

Newgarden has predicted that his lap times will be 0.5-0.6 seconds faster than O'Rourke. O'Rourke on the other hand believes that Newgarden will only be 0.2-0.3 seconds quicker. While there has been no trash talking, Newgarden did say this: "I think if anything Nate's just sad that he has to run with Ed and not me."

Take a look at Newgarden and O'Rourke's stats below to see who you think will pull off the victory:

2013 IZOD IndyCar Series Schedule:

Streets of St. Petersburg: March 24 St. Petersburg, Fla., 1.8-mile street course Broadcast: NBC Sports Network

Barber Motorsports Park: April 7 Birmingham, Ala., 2.38-mile road course Broadcast: NBC Sports Network

Streets of Long Beach: April 21 Long Beach, Calif., 1.968-mile street course Broadcast: NBC Sports Network

Streets of Sao Paulo: May 5 Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2.6-mile street course Broadcast: NBC Sports Network

Indianapolis Motor Speedway: May 26 Indianapolis, 2.5-mile oval Broadcast: ABC

Raceway at Belle Isle Park: June 1 Detroit, 2.07-mile street course Broadcast: ABC

Raceway at Belle Isle Park: June 2 Detroit, 2.07-mile street course Broadcast: ABC

Texas Motor Speedway: June 8* Fort Worth, Texas, 1.5-mile oval Broadcast: ABC

The Milwaukee Mile: June 15 West Allis, Wis., 1-mile oval NBC Sports Network

Iowa Speedway: June 23 Newton, Iowa, .875-mile oval Broadcast: ABC

Pocono International Raceway: July 7 Long Pond, Pa., 2.5-mile oval Broadcast: ABC

Streets of Toronto: July 13 Toronto, 1.75-mile street course NBC Sports Network

Streets of Toronto: July 14 Toronto, 1.75-mile street course NBC Sports Network

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course: Aug. 4 Lexington, Ohio, 2.258-mile road course NBC Sports Network

Raceway at Sonoma: Aug. 25 Sonoma, Calif., 2.303-mile road course NBC Sports Network

Streets of Baltimore: Sept. 1 Baltimore, 2.04-mile street course NBC Sports Network

Reliant Park: Oct. 5 Houston, 1.7-mile street course NBC Sports Network

Reliant Park: Oct. 6 Houston, 1.7-mile street course NBC Sports Network

Auto Club Speedway: Oct. 19* Fontana, Calif., 2-mile oval NBC Sports Network

* Denotes Night Race

A comeback from a violent crash and a last-minute scramble to make an engine change before qualifications may sound like a carefully crafted TV script, but those were the cards Josef Newgarden and Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) were dealt at the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season finale in Fontana, Calif.

While SFHR worked to overcome the weekend’s challenges, the ‘INDYCAR 36’ production crew was in their shadow to capture the drama. Fans can see the action for themselves on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

Newgarden broke his left index finger in a crash with Sebastien Bourdais in the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma on August 26th and was forced to sit out the race prior to Fontana while his finger healed.

“In Fontana, we had a huge backstory for the episode with Josef’s finger injury in Sonoma,” said Dan Huber, producer for Newgarden’s ‘INDYCAR 36’ episode. “We were right there with him when he got cleared to drive and saw the physical therapy he had to do to prepare for the grueling 500-mile race.”

The ‘INDYCAR 36’ story continued to unfold when Newgarden climbed into the No. 67 SFHR Dallara/Honda/Firestone car for the first practice session. A part failure supplied by a third-party in the car’s Honda engine kept Newgarden out of the session and called for an engine change by the team.

SFHR had only three hours to change the engine before qualifications, and Newgarden turned no practice laps before he qualified with the new engine.

“I’m excited to see how much of the crew’s hard work shows up in the episode,” Newgarden said. “Fans should really be able to see how much work the team puts in during race weekends to get a solid finish.”

Newgarden went on to earn his best qualification spot of the season and led the first lap of his IZOD IndyCar Series career in the MAV TV American Real 500.

‘INDYCAR 36’ viewers will also get a unique look at the 21-year-old driver’s rapid ascent to the highest rungs of North American open-wheel racing.

“We took some time with Josef’s parents and got to hear some great stories of how Josef’s career got started on a go-kart track just eight years ago,” Huber said. “I wanted to know how hard it was for his parents to send him to Europe at only 17, but I realized after talking to them that it was similar to sending him off to college to train for his dream career, which is auto racing.”

‘INDYCAR 36’ featuring Josef Newgarden and Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing will air on NBC Sports Network Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. ET.

Josef Newgarden’s rookie IZOD IndyCar Series season has been a roller coaster ride full of competitive speeds and bad luck, and the season finale MAV TV American Real 500 was no different.

The No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) car got a quick jump off the starting grid from 14th position and climbed to eighth on the first lap.

From there, Newgarden developed rear instability and fell back several positions. He adjusted the No. 67 car’s weight jack from the cockpit and was able to improve the car’s handling before his first pit stop.

On lap 43, Newgarden reported to the team that the No. 67 car had lost power. He coasted into his pit box where it was discovered that an electrical failure had occurred that was outside of the team’s control.

The Tennessee native went nine laps down while the team replaced the part. Due to a series of cautions, he was able to gain three laps back.

Newgarden and the SFHR team then focused on finishing the race and refining the car to gain valuable data for the 2013 season.

“I thought the race was great,” Newgarden said. “The low downforce was tricky, and I wish I could have been part of the front group. It was a shame that we had a problem and were out of the mix early on.”

Newgarden finished the race in 16th having completed 244 of 250 laps.

“It was good that we ran the rest of the race after the problem we had,” he said. “It’s better than not running and it’s great experience for the future.”

Now that his rookie season is in the books, Newgarden and SFHR will focus forward on the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

“It’s been a tough year,” Newgarden said. “I think for the off-season we’ll look to apply everything we learned and come out swinging in 2013.”

Owner/driver Ed Carpenter earned his team’s first victory in the MAV TV American Real 500. He edged out Dario Franchitti of Ganassi Racing when a late caution slowed the field on its final lap.

Scott Dixon of Ganassi Racing, Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Autosport and Helio Castroneves of Team Penske completed the top-five. Hunter-Reay’s fourth-place finish was good enough to earn him the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series championship title.

Fellow championship contender Will Power of Team Penske lost control of his car on Lap 56 and made contact with the Turn 2 wall. Power’s misfortune allowed Hunter-Reay to nose ahead of him and take the championship with only a three-point advantage.

Josef Newgarden returned to IZOD IndyCar Series action for the MAV TV American Real 500 qualifications in Fontana, Calif. and proved that the brace on his broken finger will not slow down his No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Honda-powered car.

Despite the brace and a bumpy track, Newgarden qualified the No. 67 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR) Dallara/Honda/Firestone car in fourth position with a lap of 215.919 mph.

Newgarden’s qualifying result of fourth is the best of the rookie’s young IZOD IndyCar Series career.

The qualifying speed did not come easily, however. In morning practice the Honda engine of the No. 67 car faltered when a part supplied by an outside party failed. Newgarden only turned one practice lap in the No. 67 car before it returned to the garage for an engine change.

“We were pretty flat out in qualifications, and maybe we could have trimmed out a little more,” Newgarden said. “It was hard for us though because we couldn’t come in too aggressive in qualifying after having an issue in practice. We didn’t want to risk too much.”

The No. 67 car will incur a 10-spot grid penalty for the unapproved engine change, but Newgarden thinks it will do little to hinder his chances in Saturday’s race.

“Coming into this race, the team and I talked about how I didn’t want a car that’s going to sit on pole,” he said. “I want a car that’s going to be comfortable, reliable and consistent for the entire race. That’s what we’re focusing on for tomorrow.”

On the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, the MAV TV American Real 500 is matched in distance only by the Indianapolis 500. Newgarden wants a car that will be strong when the checkered flag waves.

“We want to have a good race car that can run a ton of solid laps,” he said. “If we have that, then we can run up front and compete up front.”

Marco Andretti, of Andretti Autosport, will start on pole for the MAV TV American Real 500. His qualifying average of 216.069 mph narrowly edged out Ryan Briscoe’s two-lap average of 216.058 mph.

Aside from Newgarden in fourth, the top-five in qualifying was rounded out by Will Power in third and Scott Dixon in fifth.

The green flag will drop on the MAV TV American Real 500 at 5:50 p.m. PT on Saturday. The race will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.

That’s the question an injured Josef Newgarden asked himself from the sidelines of the Grand Prix of Baltimore while he watched racing veteran Bruno Junqueira drive the No. 67 car for Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing (SFHR).

After sitting out for a full race weekend, the 21-year-old rookie driver is ready to reclaim the wheel of the No. 67 car and punctuate his first IZOD IndyCar Series season with a solid result at Auto Club Speedway in Sunday’s MAV TV American Real 500.

Newgarden broke his left index finger in a frightening crash with Sebastien Bourdais on Aug. 26 in the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma. The injury required surgery, and he had to hand over the reins of the No. 67 SFHR Dallara/Honda/Firestone car for the next race in Baltimore.

“It was really hard to watch Bruno drive my car in Baltimore,” Newgarden said. “I’ve never been injured inside a race car before and had to sit out while someone else drove my car. It was tough but I learned a lot and can’t wait to get back in.”

After the crash in Sonoma, Newgarden described his finger as “crushed.” Post-surgery, his left index finger has seven screws holding it together.

Despite the extra metal, he says that he and his finger will be ready for the MAV TV American Real 500.

“I think my finger will be fine,” Newgarden said. “It’s been getting better each day, and I think I should be fine in the car to hold on for the oval. That’s not saying ovals are easier than road courses, but it should be easier on my finger.”

It won’t be smooth sailing at Auto Club Speedway, however. Newgarden experienced the track’s bumpy surface in August at a test, and he will test again at the track this Wednesday.

“Auto Club Speedway is very, very bumpy, and the seams of the track are difficult to navigate when you’re changing lanes,” he said. “It’s a really difficult track, probably one of the most difficult ovals I’ve ever been to. It’s going to be a long 500 miles.”

He hopes testing at Auto Club Speedway will give him the extra preparation he needs to ready his car and his finger for the 500-mile race.

“I’m really glad we’re testing this week because we need the track time,” Newgarden said. “A lot of guys have had more testing time than SFHR has this season so, we need to get caught up. Hopefully it will help us have a better result during the race weekend.”

The MAV TV American Real 500-mile race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., will air live on NBC Sports Network, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

• Bionic Man: Josef Newgarden underwent surgery August 28th in Indianapolis to repair his left index finger after crashing with Sebastien Bourdais in the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma. Newgarden’s left index finger now has a bone graft, a plate and seven screws. While he has been cleared to drive in the MAV TV American Real 500, his biggest challenge may be clearing airport security with a finger full of metal.

• SFHR’S Good Luck Charm Turns One: Zoey O’Gara, daughter of SFHR co-owner Sarah Fisher and husband Andy O’Gara, will turn one on Thursday, Sept. 13. Zoey will spend her first birthday traveling to Fontana, Calif. with her mom and dad for the MAV TV American Real 500 race weekend. At just two weeks old, Zoey attended her first-ever race last October at Kentucky Speedway where SFHR scored its first win with driver Ed Carpenter. Could Zoey’s milestone birthday be good luck for SFHR in the 2012 season finale?