Allison Transmission and Sarah Fisher Racing Team-up for 2011 Indianapolis 500 Race

SPEEDWAY, Ind., Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Allison Transmission Inc., the premier global provider of commercial duty and military fully automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsions systems, announced today that they will partner with Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) for the historic 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 race in May 2011.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110222/DE52267)

Lou Gilbert, Allison Transmission's Director of North American Marketing, said, "Sponsoring Sarah Fisher's No. 67 car and driver Ed Carpenter makes good sense for Allison Transmission."  Allison and Sarah Fisher Racing are neighbors in Speedway, Indiana, and Carpenter is a well known Hoosier open-wheel driver.  "Over the years, we have all worked together in various community and customer related activities," Gilbert added, "We are especially happy to be a part of this historic 100th Anniversary Indianapolis Motor Speedway race."

Team owner and former IZOD IndyCar Series driver Sarah Fisher said, "Allison Transmission and the many people I know who work there continue to support me and all the members of my racing team.  It's a great feeling, and I appreciate Allison's sponsorship of our car this year.  Everyone is looking forward to this year's Indianapolis 500."  Sarah Fisher Racing Team driver Ed Carpenter said, "My enthusiasm for Allison's commitment to the team is off the charts.  We're ready to go racing."

Jim Allison, 100 years ago, was one of the four founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the founder of what has become Allison Transmission Inc.  Much like Sarah Fisher, Jim Allison was also a team owner and his teams competed in many Indianapolis Motor Speedway races which culminated in a win during the 1919 Indy 500.  Allison Transmission's sponsorship of the Fisher car will include the placement of its logo on six locations on the No. 67 car.

In 2008, Sarah Fisher and her husband Andy O'Gara formed Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) and she made her first start as a team owner in that year's Indianapolis 500.  In May 2010, Fisher qualified for her ninth start in the Indianapolis 500 and achieved more Indy 500 starts than any other woman driver in the 100 year history of the race.  Sarah Fisher makes Indianapolis her home and she is involved in many civic and charitable organizations.

About Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR):

Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) is an auto racing team that competes in the IZOD IndyCar® Series, founded by IZOD IndyCar Series veteran racer, Sarah Fisher.  Fisher announced plans to become the IZOD IndyCar Series first female owner/driver and the youngest team owner on February 27, 2008, at Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS). The team competed in three events in 2008, grew 100 percent in 2009 to six races and competed in fifteen total events in 2010, during the team's first season initiating a two-car effort.  With backing from Dollar General, SFR has announced plans to run an abbreviated schedule in 2011 competing in nine events, with Ed Carpenter driving the No. 67 car.  For more information please visit Sarah Fisher Racing online http://www.sarahfisherracing.com.

About Ed Carpenter:

The 2011 IZOD IndyCar ® Series season marks Ed Carpenter's eighth year in the series after making his debut at Chicagoland Speedway in 2003. Growing up with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in his backyard with Laura and step-father Tony George as parents, Carpenter was no stranger to racing. Carpenter began racing at eight years old and balanced racing with education throughout much of his career. Earning a Bachelors of Science degree in marketing from Butler University in 2003, Carpenter graduated from Butler just weeks before he won the Freedom 100 Indy Pro Series race at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With a college degree under his belt, Carpenter is now able to focus on several other activities when he's not racing. Away from the track, Carpenter follows professional football and is an Indianapolis Colts season ticket holder and an enthusiastic Butler Bulldogs supporter. The 29-year old is also an avid cyclist, water skier and enjoys working out. Before he became a regular in the IZOD IndyCar Series, Carpenter was a short track racer in the United States Auto Club (USAC) midget, sprint and Silver Crown Series. 2011 marks his first season with Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) and Dollar General. Carpenter resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Heather, his daughter Makenna, son Ryder, and their two dogs Bentley and Roscoe.

About Allison Transmission, Inc.

Allison Transmission, Inc. (Allison) is the premier global provider of commercial duty automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems. Allison products are specified by over 250 of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers and are used in many market sectors including bus, refuse, fire, construction, distribution, military and specialty applications. Founded in 1915, the Allison business is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. and employs 3,000 people. Regional headquarters with dedicated support staff are located in China, The Netherlands, Brazil, India and Japan. With a global presence in 80 countries, Allison has over 1550 distributor and dealer locations. More information about Allison is available at www.allisontransmission.com.

SOURCE Allison Transmission, Inc.