1st Career Pole For Carpenter
By Andrew Cutler
September 4 2010
When Vision Racing was shuttered at the start of the year, it appeared that Ed Carpenter might not race at all in 2010. Then a one race deal was struck with Panther Racing and sponsor Fuzzy's (as in pro golfer Fuzzy Zoeller) Premium Vodka to run at Indianapolis. Later Fuzzy's signed on for the last three US ovals on the schedule; Chicagoland, Kentucky and Homestead-Miami.
After impressive qualifying sessions and early race runs that didn't manage to translate into strong finishes, Carpenter feels that he has something to prove this weekend at Kentucky, the scene of his career-best second palce finish, last year after a heart-stopping wheel-to-wheel duel with Ryan Briscoe.
It therefore didn't come as too big of a suprise to long-time IndyCar fans when this 'part time' driver - who always has to be considered a contender on ovals - beat out the Penske, Ganassi and Andretti gangs for the Pole in tonight's race. Ed posted a two lap average of 217.933 mph around the 1.5 mile oval located in Sparta, KY, just about .10 mph faster than Will Power, who will start second. Fortunately for Power, his main championship rival, Dario Franchitti, is starting back in the 11th spot.
Here is the complete starting grid for tonight's (8pm ET/1am Sunday GMT) race:http://www.indycar.com:8080/var/assets/KentuckyIndy300startinglineup.pdf
The Firestone Indy Lights Series will also hold a race at Kentucky, this evening at 5:30pm ET: Pippa Mann will start on the Pole.