RACING Ohio driver Fisher wrecks in practice

It was unknown whether she would be available for today's Firestone Indy 225.
NAZARETH, Pa. (AP) -- IRL driver Sarah Fisher was taken to a hospital by helicopter after being injured in a crash during the final practice session Saturday at Nazareth Speedway.
The 22-year-old driver from Commercial Point, Ohio, was awake, alert and being evaluated for back pain at Lehigh Valley Hospital, said Dr. Henry Bock, the IRL's director of medical services.
Fisher was hurt when her Chevrolet-powered Dallara spun into the wall on the backstretch a few minutes before the end of the post-qualifying practice session for today's Firestone Indy 225. The IRL said the car sustained heavy damage to the rear end and moderate damage to the front wing and suspension.
There was no word Saturday evening on Fisher's availability for today's Firestone Indy 225. Fisher, 18th in the series standings, qualified 12th in a field of 20.
She finished a career-best second -- the highest finish ever by a woman in Indy-style racing -- at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2001. Fisher became the youngest driver in series history at 19 when she debuted at Texas Motor Speedway in 1999.
Sharp's quest
Scott Sharp will have to top his effort of a year ago to win today and tie the IRL record for career victories.
He qualified 16th Saturday for the Firestone Indy 225. Last year, Sharp had a slightly easier burden to overcome because he started 11th on the narrow, 1-mile oval where passing is extremely difficult.
He won because leader Gil de Ferran ran out of fuel on the final lap. But Sharp realizes the poor starting position makes him an extreme long shot today.
"I don't know what happened in qualifying," he said. "We lost a few tenths somewhere, and to be honest I don't know where."
Sharp was particularly puzzled by his lap at 164.509 mph because he was faster through the turns yet wound up with a lap slower than what he had practiced. He is not confident about his ability to make dramatic moves toward the front on the one-groove track.
"You pretty much have to ride and hope you have good pit stops and good pit strategy to get a win here," he said.
A victory would be the ninth for Sharp, the IRL co-champion in 1996. He and 2000 series champion Buddy Lazier share second place in IRL career victories, one behind two-time defending champ Sam Hornish Jr.
Escaping ER
Actor Anthony Edwards will wave the green flag today as honorary starter of the race.
Best known for his role as Dr. Mark Greene on the television drama "ER," Edwards also has appeared in numerous films, including "Top Gun," where he starred as Goose, the co-pilot of Maverick, played by Tom Cruise.
Edwards is active in the Cure Autism Now Foundation, and sits on the board of directors.
"I enjoy auto racing and I'm excited to play such an important role," Edwards said. "To be here on behalf of Cure Autism Now makes it even more special."