Pit Fit Training

PitFit Training Inc.


6835 Guion Road Suite C
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317-388-1000
info@pitfit.com

Jim Leo, President  
HomeAbout PitFitClientsMotorsports ProgramsPersonal TrainingPartnersNewsContact Pit FitPitFit Store Jim Leo, Pit Fit Training President

News from PitFit Training Inc.

Two USAC Racers Repeat as Scholarship Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PitFit Training Announces Scholarship Winners for 2008

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) today announced winners of the 2008 PitFit Training Driver Memorial Scholarship. The winners are Kelsey Bauer (Karting), Kristine Daggett (Karting), Michael DeNino (Skip Barber), Kyle Hamilton (USAC), Jeff Oleen (Ford Focus/Western USAC), Miranda Throckmorton (USAC), and Stars of Karting JICA West and East Division Champions Gustavo Menezes and Brendan Langlois.

“Once again, it was quite a challenge to choose the 2008 Scholarship winners,” noted PitFit Training President Jim Leo. “The quality of the applications, especially the essays improve year after year. This year’s winners are very deserving of the scholarship, and we are especially proud to award another scholarship to two of last year’s winners, Jeff Oleen and Miranda Throckmorten.”

Leo noted the level of difficulty in applying for a scholarship and said many racers are determined to succeed. “It was rewarding to see the improvement of Kristine Daggett, who barely missed the cut in 2007 but, she worked diligently and was awarded a scholarship for 2008,” said Leo.

He went on to thank staff and sponsors, Shock Doctor, Bodyblade, and Gatorade, for their support and efforts in helping to make the scholarship a success.

The program was developed and introduced in 2005 as a way of giving deserving young drivers the opportunity to bring their racing fitness to optimal levels. The selection criterion is stringent with a varied focus on race performance, community service, academics, and ability to maintain a focus on fitness. Applicants were required to submit an application which included two essay questions on current topics of interest from today’s news. Those in consideration for the scholarship had to be between 12 and 20 years of age and have completed at least one year of racing competition.

Scholarship recipients receive: Ten months on-line training via E-PitFit.com; two complete fitness evaluations at PitFit headquarters in Indianapolis; up to 2 training sessions per month at PitFit headquarters in Indianapolis; Theraband products (stability ball, bands, stability pad); Bodyblade Classic; Neck Strengthening Device; Gatorade (3 cans Endurance Formula); PitFit Training apparel from Pearl Izumi; discounts on Cannondale Bicycles; bio on our web site, updates of racing season and link (if available).

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the IRL, Champ Car World Series, Formula BMW, Mazda Atlantics, Indy Pro Series, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.

###

Program Rewards Promising Young American Drivers

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) today announced it has joined as a sponsor for the Team USA Scholarship, a non-profit organization helping talented young American racers at an early stage in their careers.

PitFit Training will provide fitness testing, training and mentoring at its Indianapolis-based headquarters. The 2007-2008 Scholarship winners, Patrick Barrett and Joel Miller, will spend one full week with the PitFit staff in November.

“We’re excited to sponsor these talented young racers,” noted Jim Leo, Founder and President of PitFit Training. “[The Team USA Scholarship President], Jeremy Shaw is a good, personal friend, and I know the passion he has for helping tomorrow’s stars today through the Scholarship. I have had the privilege of working with past Scholarship winners such as Paul Edwards, Joe D’Agostino, J.R. Hildebrand and the late Tony Renna. It has been a joy to watch their personal and professional growth through the program.”

Team USA Scholarship was founded in 1990 and was developed with the intent of boosting the early career development of some of the most talented young American racers. Past Scholarship winners have gone on to become house-hold names with Motorsports enthusiasts. Past winners include Jimmy Vasser, Bryan Herta, Buddy Rice, and Jeff Simmons in open wheel racing as well as A.J. Allmendinger, Jerry Nadeau and Ashton Lewis, who have gone on to race in NASCAR’s upper levels.

Barrett and Miller are up-and-coming racers who have already tasted victory. Barrett races for PR1 Motorsports in the Pacific F2000 series and has a commanding lead in the points race with 7 wins and 3 second place finishes. Miller clinched the BF Goodrich/Skip Barber Nationals Presented by Mazda championship title after this weekend’s race at Virginia International Raceway. Miller’s victory gave him a total of five wins in the 14-race season and a 36-point margin over the championship runner-up. He was also the 2006 Snap-On Stars of Karting ICA title winner.

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, Champ Car Atlantics, Indy Pro Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.

###

Scholarship Enters Third Year

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) today announced it is now accepting applications for the PitFit Training Driver Memorial Scholarship for the 2008 race season. The scholarship program is now entering its third year, offering deserving young drivers the opportunity to bring their racing fitness to optimal levels.

Applications for the Scholarship will be accepted until December 1, 2007.Winners will be announced by December 15, 2007 with Scholarship rewards beginning January 1, 2008. The selection criterion is stringent with a varied focus on race performance, community service, academics, and ability to maintain a focus on fitness. Applicants must submit an application which includes two essay questions on current topics of interest from today’s news. Those in consideration for the scholarship must be between 12 and 20 years of age and have completed at least one year of racing competition. Stars of Karting Champions in the 80cc and 125cc divisions are automatically awarded scholarships.

Scholarship winners will receive 10 months of on-line training, two complete fitness evaluations, up to two training sessions per month at PitFit headquarters in Indianapolis, Theraband® products, a Bodyblade® Classic, a neck strengthening device, training gear, discounts on Cannondale Bicycles and a bio on PitFit’s web site with a link to their own.

To learn more or for a scholarship application go to www.pitfit.com and click on programs.

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, Champ Car Atlantics, Indy Pro Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.

Third Win of Season Helps Dixon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) boasts another successful weekend for client and NHRA drag racer, Larry Dixon.

Dixon entered the winner’s circle at Texas Motorplex to accept the trophy for the race win at the national’s event. The win, his third of the season, launched Dixon into the points lead in the Top Fuel category.

Dixon and his SkyTel dragster were up for the final, leaving with a great .059-second reaction time. Final-round foe Bob Vandergriff was close behind in his UPS rail, taking off in .065 seconds, but his car was soon smoking its tires, allowing Dixon to take the 41st win of his career in 4.629 at 310.91 mph. He is now 45 points ahead of Rod Fuller in the Countdown to Four, NHRA’s playoff program, which will crown its national champions.

Dixon was featured in the September issue of the publication, National Dragster. The story, “Fightin’ Shape” highlighted the rigorous training regime Dixon undergoes with his PitFit trainer, Jack Parker.

“We’re excited for Larry Dixon and his SkyTel team,” noted PitFit Training President, Jim Leo. “Larry has pushed himself very hard off the track to gain any possible advantage against the competition this season. His trainer has developed a comprehensive fitness and reaction training regime designed to put him in position to win the championship. He certainly makes us look good! “

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, Champ Car Atlantics, Indy Pro Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.

###

Pitfit Clients Win Numerous Titles Since 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) boasts another IndyCar Champion. PitFit client, Dario Franchitti, won the series Championship in a nail-biting finish on Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. Franchitti, also this years Indy500 winner, beat Scott Dixon, another PitFit client, in the final lap of the season when Dixon’s machine ran out of fuel.

The season held a tight points race between Dixon and Franchitti. Both racers have been with PitFit Training for a number of years and they, among other racers, have seen the benefit of driver-specific training.

PitFit claims client Sam Hornish, Jr. as the 2001, 2002 and 2006 IndyCar Champion while Dixon took the title in 2003. PitFit Training also trained the winner of the last two Indy500’s, Sam Hornish, Jr. and Franchitti. In addition, PitFit clients won 9 of 17 races this season with 26 total podiums and six poles.

“Today was full of mixed emotions,” said Jim Leo, Founder and President of PitFit Training. “Whatever was going to happen, I knew we would have the series champion and the series runner-up. Dario is a deserving champion who overcame a number of obstacles this season, and Scott had to literally go for this championship on his own; two great drivers who have risen above the rest, on track and off. One had to win and unfortunately one had to lose. With Sam (Hornish, Jr.) finishing third in the race, it was a good day for our drivers. It was also exciting to see A.J. (Foyt IV) finish the season with a solid top ten.”

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, Champ Car Atlantics, Indy Pro Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.

PitFit Training Offers 2007 Driver Fast Fitness Classes

Indianapolis, Indiana - PitFit Training today announced it is making final preparations for the fall Driver Fast Fitness Class, which are scheduled to begin in October.

The Driver Fast Fitness classes have been developed with racers of all ages, in all series, and in all physical condition in mind. Fall classes will begin October 1, 2007 and will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:00 am or 8:00 am, with an afternoon class beginning at 4:00 pm. The schedule is designed to accommodate racers’ work, school and testing calendar during the off season.

Fitness testing will be included. Cost of the classes includes a membership at The Sports Zone, a fitness facility in Indianapolis where PitFit Training headquarters are located. PitFit trainers will take drivers through various activities including weights, intervals, field drills, yoga, rock climbing, boxing, trail runs, swimming and more.

Last year, two full classes of six drivers were held for the 12 week sessions. Racers from USAC and Karting participated in Fast Fitness.

“To be a successful race car driver, you need to be in top shape. The Driver Fast Fitness class made getting physically fit more affordable,” noted former student, Sondi Edon, a USAC racer.

Brad Roudebush, a recreational Kart racer who also took the class had this to say: “I could never push myself this hard by training alone. It helps having the other racers work out with me because I know they’re going through what I’m going through. I especially appreciate the driver-oriented workouts with hand/eye coordination and the intensity level of the training I receive.”

Classes will be held for 12 weeks. Contact Jim Leo at jleo@pitfit.com to register or visit www.pitfit.com to learn more about the Fall 2007 Driver Fast Fitness Classes.

PitFit Training Takes Applications for Fall Internship Program

PitFit Training Seeks Fall Intern

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Jim Leo, Owner
PitFit Training
Work- 388-1000
jleo@pitfit.com
www.pitfit.com

PitFit Training Takes Applications for Fall Internship Program

What: PitFit Training is currently seeking applications for our fall intern. The internship will last for approximately three months and is a paid internship. The person selected for the position will be involved in race team wellness programs, testing and health screenings as well as other projects as assigned.

Candidates must be currently majoring in Exercise Science or a related field and live in the central Indiana area.

Where: PitFit Training headquarters, (The Sports Zone), 6835 Guion Road Suite C, Indianapolis, Indiana.

When: Beginning September 4, 2007. Hour and days of work week will vary according to class schedule.

How: Send your resume, class list and contact information for your internship coordinator to info@pitfit.com. If your school does not currently have an association with PitFit for possible internships, have your internship coordinator contact us right away.

###

Shock Doctor and Sarah Fisher Partner for Optimal Fitness

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) today announced that one of its clients, Sarah Fisher, has partnered with one of its sponsors, Shock Doctor.

Shock Doctor, Inc., headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, is a widely recognized brand leader that uses innovative technology and design to provide superior protection and enhanced performance for people who are passionate about their sports. In addition to a full line of patented, technologically-advanced mouth guards, Shock Doctor offers a comprehensive line of other innovative performance protection products.

“We chose to partner with Jim Leo and PitFit Training this year to help a couple of race car drivers by sponsoring their training with PitFit,” noted Joe Parkin. “Our relationship with Sarah (Fisher) is really exciting and one that has already proven to be beneficial. We are currently developing some custom elbow pads for Sarah to help her cope with the in-cockpit demands of the IndyCar.”

The 26-year-old Fisher is the Most Popular Driver in IndyCar Series history having won the 2001, 2002 and 2003 IndyCar Series “Most Popular Driver” award and the 2005 NASCAR West Regional Series “Most Popular Driver” award.

“Physical training is a huge part of being a professional athlete,” noted Fisher. “Race car driving means that I must have the physical endurance to run 220 miles per hour for an extended period of time. Shock Doctor has helped to prepare me through cardio and weight training exercises to compete at a professional level. Working out takes a lot of effort but Shock Doctor has helped develop a plan that is right for me through a variety of activities to achieve the results needed to succeed in a sport dominated by men.”

Fisher began her IndyCar Series career in 1999 at just 19 years old with Walker Racing. In 50 career starts, Fisher has posted three top-fives, seven top-tens and became just the third women to start in the Indianapolis 500. She went on to became the first woman to run a full IndyCar Series schedule and the first and only women to stand on the podium with her third place finish at Kentucky Speedway in 2000; she has since bested that position with second at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2001. Further, she became the first woman in North American motorsports history to win the pole position for a major-league open-wheel race at Kentucky Speedway in 2002. She is also the fastest women to ever qualify for the Indianapolis 500.

Fisher is competing for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing this season full-time alongside her teammate, 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner, Buddy Rice.

“We’re thrilled to have Shock Doctor on board as a sponsor and a partner for Sarah Fisher,” noted Jim Leo, Founder and President of PitFit Training. “Shock Doctor provides top of the line protection equipment, and I know Sarah has already seen tremendous improvement.”

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, Champ Car Atlantics, Indy Pro Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.

About Sarah Fisher:
At just 26 years old, she has already competed in six Indianapolis 500’s and been voted the Most Popular Driver four times in two separate series. In 2006, Fisher competed in two IndyCar Series races for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing at Kentucky Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway placing 12th and 16th respectively. In 2005, she was part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, piloting the No. 20 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the Bill McAnally Racing/Richard Childress Racing Development Program in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series, and capturing four top-ten finishes. Fisher made her first appearance in the IndyCar Series back in 1999 for Derrick Walker, making her the youngest person ever to pass the IndyCar Series Rookie test. In 2000, she became just the third woman and one of the youngest drivers ever to compete in the world’s greatest race – the Indianapolis 500. Sarah continued to make history that year at Kentucky Speedway, becoming the youngest person to lead laps during an IndyCar Series event and the youngest and only woman to ever stand on a podium with her third-place finish in that event. In 2001, Sarah claimed a second-place finish at the IndyCar Series inaugural race at Homestead Miami Speedway, the best result ever by a woman in Indy-style racing. In 2002, Sarah became the first woman to ever qualify fastest for a major North American open-wheel event capturing the pole and setting a new track record at Kentucky Speedway. Fisher raced quarter-midgets and go-karts until she was a teenager, winning the 1991, 1993 and 1994 World Karting Association Grand National Championships, the 1993 Circleville Points Championship and the 1994 WKA Grand National Championship. By age 15, Sarah was racing Winged Outlaw Sprint cars winning the 1995 Dirt Track Racing Round-Up Rookie of the Year. Sarah has been a guest or profiled on a variety of television programs including, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Live with Regis and Kelly, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, Good Morning America and The Today Show. She has also appeared in the pages of People, Teen People, Cosmo Girl, Seventeen, Glamour, Sporting Woman, Mademoiselle, Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and many other magazines. Sarah currently resides in Indianapolis with her chocolate lab, Wrigley. For more information, please visit Sarah Fisher on the World Wide Web at www.sarahfisher.com.

PitFit Racers Finish 1, 2, 4

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) today announced top finishing positions for three of its clients. Dario Franchitti crossed the Yard of Bricks first under yellow- checker flag conditions in the rain-shortened 91st Running of the Indianapolis 500. Two other PitFit clients, Scott Dixon and Sam Hornish, Jr., finished second and fourth respectively. This is the second year in a row that a PitFit client has won the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Sam Hornish, Jr. was the winner in 2006.

“I find personal satisfaction that these three drivers have been working with PitFit the longest,” noted Jim Leo, Founder and President of PitFit. “We started working with Scott in 1999, Dario in 2000 and Sam in 2002, and I am honored to call each one a close friend.”

The race was interrupted twice by rain; the first time for a three-hour delay. The race continued at lap 113 until lap 163 when a caution flag was thrown for an accident involving former race front-runner Marco Andretti. Hoping the rain would be delayed for a few more laps, several cars pitted, with Franchitti opting to stay out and take the lead. Once the clouds opened up, the race was called and Franchitti was crowned Champion.

“We rolled the dice and it paid off with that pit stop strategy,” noted a soggy Franchitti. “I can hardly believe it. Who would have thought it?”

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, Champ Car Atlantics, Indy Pro Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.

Story on WTHR and WTHR.com

Many Indy 500 drivers take their physical fitness as seriously as their racing. One driver is hoping to climb above the competition with a mountaintop experience.

To prepare for the physical demands of the Indianapolis 500, Scott Dixon zips up the tent and gets to work.

“I think you have to be physically fit at this level. I think everybody is in Indy Cars, especially the ones that compete for championships,” he said.

Dixon is already in great shape and is an accomplished triathlete. But he’s looking for an edge by training at 9,000 feet. Working out in the altitude tent makes Dixon’s body more efficient at absorbing oxygen, which should help build endurance for the longest IndyCar race of the season.

“Anything you can gain, I think, over your competitors especially physical-wise, is something that you bring to the table a bit more than some other teams do and it can make a difference. I think a lot of these oval races physically aren’t hugely demanding but the endurance side of it is difficult,” said Dixon.

Jim Leo is the president of Pit Fit Training, a fitness company that works exclusively with race drivers. He says they focus on strengthening drivers’ core, shoulders and neck.

“Training at a higher altitude, your body goes into what they call a hypoxic state, which is a low oxygen levels. Your body becomes very efficient at absorbing oxygen that’s available,” said Leo. “The benefit isn’t really when you’re at altitude. It’s when you come down from altitude to sea level.”

A win Sunday would put Dixon in rarefied air with no need for the tent.

Home | About PitFit | Clients | Programs | Personal Training | Partners | News | Contact | Store
USAC RacingFormula BMW USASnap-on Stars of Karting