Catchfence

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 21, 2011)- Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) driver, Ed Carpenter, made his way into the field of 33 starting positions for the Indianapolis 500 early this afternoon. Carpenter posted a 4-lap average speed of 226.16 mph, in his No. 67 Dollar General Honda powered Dallara, good enough to participate in the Fast Nine later in the day. The 30-year old Indianapolis native will roll from Row 3 in the 8th starting position on race day, the highest starting position in the history of SFR, in between Panther Racing’s Buddy Rice and Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Dario Franchitti. The 2011 Indianapolis 500 will mark Carpenter’s eighth start on the famed 2.5-mile oval.

Ed Carpenter: “It was a great day for the entire Dollar General/Sarah Fisher Racing organization. We missed on the balance a little bit when we went back out for the Fast Nine, but we’re still very happy. We’re not here to win the shoot out; we’re here to win the race. We’ll get back on track tomorrow and continue to work on getting the Dollar General machine set up for the race.”

Sarah Fisher: “I am extremely proud of the job that the boys have done throughout the entire week. Today was a great summary of all of their hard work. I was especially happy to see all of our plans come together to make us a part of the Fast Nine. As a small team it means a lot to be a part of that. I also want to thank Dollar General for allowing me the opportunity to step out of the car, start a family, and put Ed and the team together to make an attempt at making history at this year’s Indianapolis 500.”

Alex Tagliani captured the pole position for the 95th running of the Indianapolis 500, with a four-lap average speed of 227.472 mph, followed closely by Target Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon.

All Indianapolis 500 entrants will return to the track for a practice session tomorrow morning from 9-10am EST before the remaining drivers will attempt to make their way into the field of 33 starting positions during the second day of qualifications at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 95th running of the Indianapolis 500 is set for Sunday, May 29, 2011, which will be the 5th race of the 17-race 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season. The race will be aired live on ABC at Noon EST on Sunday, May 29, 2011. Additional coverage will be available on IMS Radio, XM Satellite Radio Channel 94 “IndyCar Racing,” Sirius Channel 212, along with broadcast coverage summaries available at www.indycar.com and www.sarahfisher.com.

About Ed Carpenter:

The 2011 IZOD IndyCar ® Series season marks Ed Carpenter’s eighth year in the series after making his debut at Chicagoland Speedway in 2003. Growing up with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in his backyard, with Laura and step-father Tony George as parents, Carpenter was no stranger to racing. Carpenter began racing at eight years old and balanced racing with education throughout much of his career. Earning a Bachelors of Science degree in marketing from Butler University in 2003, Carpenter graduated from Butler just weeks before he won the Freedom 100 Indy Pro Series race at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With a college degree under his belt, Carpenter is now able to focus on several other activities when he’s not racing. Away from the track, Carpenter follows professional football and is an Indianapolis Colts season ticket holder and an enthusiastic Butler Bulldogs supporter. The 29-year old is also an avid cyclist, water skier and enjoys working out. Before he became a regular in the IZOD IndyCar Series, Carpenter was a short track racer in the United States Auto Club (USAC) midget, sprint and Silver Crown Series. 2011 marks his first season with Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) and Dollar General. Carpenter resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Heather, his daughter Makenna, son Ryder, and their two dogs Bentley (Rottweiler) and Roscoe (Chihuahua).

About Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR):

Sarah Fisher Racing (SFR) is an auto racing team that competes in the IZOD IndyCar® Series, founded by IZOD IndyCar Series veteran racer, Sarah Fisher. Fisher announced plans to become the IZOD IndyCar Series first female owner/driver and the youngest team owner on February 27, 2008, at Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS). The team competed in three events in 2008, grew 100 percent in 2009 to six races and competed in fifteen total events in 2010, during the team’s first season initiating a two-car effort. With backing from Dollar General, SFR has announced plans to run an abbreviated schedule in 2011 competing in nine events, with Ed Carpenter the No. 67. For more information, please visit Sarah Fisher Racing online at www.sarahfisherracing.com.

- Sarah Fisher Racing, Press Release