Ed Carpenter: “The first round blew my mind”

By setting the best time in Fast 9 last night on the Indianapolis oval, Ed Carpenter once again proved his status as a specialist in the exercise, with a third career pole at the wheel of the Dallara DW12 – Chevrolet n°20 operated by its own structure.

A final result which however surprised the American, who did not admit to being satisfied with his performance the day before. “The previous runs were not very good, Carpenter pointed out.

The car wasn't as good as we had been, so I knew there was more to come but I didn't expect to be in the 230 mph (370,149 km/h) range. The first round literally turned my head »

The performance displayed in qualifying must now be converted into a race, something Carpenter has never been able to accomplish in recent seasons. A fifth place finish in 2008 remains the Illinois native's best result.

Ed Carpenter will also be able to count on his two teammates Spencer Pigot and Danica Patrick, brilliantly qualified in Fast 9 in 6th and 7th rows. The former resident of Nascar Cup Series will compete for the occasion in the last race of his career.