INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Sarah Fisher is going back to school.
The youngest woman to race in the Indianapolis 500 and first female car owner, Fisher has enrolled in the business school of Western Governors University to pursue her bachelor’s degree.
Fisher graduated near the top of her high school class but put college on hold to pursue her racing career. She spent three seasons in quarter midgets before making her IndyCar debut in 1999, and then became the third woman after Janet Guthrie and Lyn St. James to race in the Indy 500.
She retired as a driver in 2010, and now fields a car along with businessman Wink Hartman for Josef Newgarden. He’ll start 25th in Sunday’s race.
“Now that I’m a mother, a wife and an IndyCar team owner, I’m constantly juggling my schedule,” Fisher said. “I’m ready to finish my degree, but I need a university that’s adaptable to my life and offers quality programs that make going back to school a good investment of my time and energy. I’m excited about earning my degree at WGU Indiana.”
The online school was established three years ago by former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels as an affordable alternative to more traditional colleges. It’s grown to more than 3,000 students.
“I expect Sarah to excel in our university, because she demonstrates the same traits of our other students: a strong work ethic, independence and a commitment to excellence,” WGU Indiana Chancellor Allison Barber said. “I’m excited to watch her learn and inspire other Hoosiers.”
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