THE LINE

December 1, 2010

(Image © 2010 - John Thawley)
Editor-in-Chief's Note:  Each year we've been pleased and privileged to bring the scintillating images by photographer extraordinaire John Thawley to the pages of AE. I always say out loud at some point during the racing season that John couldn't possibly top himself, but then he inevitably does. Here, then, are the best of John's images from 2010. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. - PMD

(Ron McQueeney/IndyCar)
Sarah Fisher will step out of her own No. 67 Sarah Fisher Racing Dollar General entry - thus effectively ending her IndyCar driving career - in favor of fielding Ed Carpenter in the car for at least nine events in 2011. "Being both an owner and a driver is both time consuming on both sides," said Fisher, who recently turned 30, and is eager to focus on team ownership and starting a family. "I really want to see this team move forward and to have one driver who does all the races - ovals and road courses. It's just very hard to do both." Fisher's 25-year driving career includes 11 years as a competitor in the IZOD IndyCar Series with Walker Racing, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Kelley Racing and her own Sarah Fisher Racing, which she started in 2008. Fisher was voted the IZOD IndyCar Series' most popular driver three times, although she has driven only a part-time schedule the past three seasons. She had a career total of 74 races since her debut at the Texas Motor Speedway in 1999, including seven starts this year. A former competitor in USAC and World of Outlaws sprint cars, she won one pole at Kentucky Speedway in 2002, and was runner-up in the 2001 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Carpenter, 29, will compete in the domestic oval events except for Milwaukee and the road/street events at St. Petersburg, Mid-Ohio and Baltimore. Fisher hopes to find additional sponsorship for the car which will allow it to compete in the full season. Carpenter, 29, was limited to part-time duty in 2010, running four races through a joint venture between Vision Racing and Panther Racing. The Indianapolis native won his first career pole in September at Kentucky Speedway, where he finished second for the second-straight season. "In a lot of ways, I feel like we had a deal done after that first phone call. I was blessed that I called at the right time. Working with Sarah and Andy  (O'Gara) up to this point has been great. I'm excited to work with Dollar General. Seeing the work they've done with Sarah, I'm excited to be a part of it."

(Ron McQueeney/IndyCar)
Ed Carpenter and family at the Sarah Fisher Racing announcement.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Read Gordon Kirby's latest piece - this time a lengthy interview with American Porsche factory driver Patrick Long about racing the 911 GT3 R hybrid - here. Well worth the read and a look at how the Future of Racing is coming into focus. - PMD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: If you really must keep up on all of the latest F1 developments and the potential U.S. GP in Austin, Texas, go here. - PMD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD

WE'RE OPENING THE VAULT!

The AE wearables are back - and only in extremely limited quantities and sizes, we might add - and once they're gone, they're gone! We're starting with our most popular items, the classic AE Sweatshirt and AE Hat. Click on a PayPal button below to order yours now! (If you prefer to pay by check, please send us an email with AE STORE in the subject line, and we'll reserve your item.)

AE Sweatshirt - Crewneck, sturdy 80/20 cotton/poly, in black with throwback lettering - the original AE logo in our Chiller typeface shown above. Size XL only. 40 bucks, including shipping. US orders only.

AE Hat - Black with throwback lettering - the original AE logo in our Chiller typeface shown above. 25 bucks, including shipping. US orders only.

See another live episode of "Autoline After Hours" with hosts John McElroy, from Autoline Detroit, and Peter De Lorenzo, The Autoextremist, and guests this Thursday evening, at 7:00PM EDT at www.autolinedetroit.tv.

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