Carpenter and the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka special ran in the top-five for much of the race with a podium finish in sight until the team attempted its third pit stop on lap 139 of 200. A setup issue with the fuel rig and hose did not allow fuel to enter the car during that stop.
After a lap back on track, the team realized the problem and quickly brought Carpenter in for more fuel. The car ran out of fuel and stalled as Carpenter brought the car into the pits for refueling. Upon leaving the pits again on lap 141 Carpenter was given an “insult” to the sustained “injury” and slapped with a drive-thru penalty for exceeding the pit lane speed limit.
Carpenter served his penalty on lap 145 and was relegated to the 19th position; losing four laps to the leaders. Eventually, Carpenter parked the car on lap 177 so as not to ruin the race for his fellow competitors. He is credited with a 20th place finish.
The disappointment in the Vision Racing / Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Pits was palpable and will certainly be used as motivation heading into next Saturday’s race at Kentucky Speedway. Carpenter felt like he had the car to beat in tonight’s PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300 and it is that car that he will take to Kentucky’s 1.5-mile oval.
It was Carpenter and the Vision Racing No. 20 car that led 34 laps and finished in second place by 0.0162 of a second at Kentucky last year. He now knows he has the car to not just repeat that performance, but best it by one position.
Meanwhile, team partner, Panther Racing and driver Dan Wheldon ran a magnificent race and earned a second place finish with the No. 4 National Guard Dallara/Honda/Firestone. Panther Racing driver and 2005 and 2006 Chicagoland Speedway winner, Dan Wheldon, started seventh, led 14 laps and finished second behind now IZOD IndyCar Series points leader, Dario Franchitti of Target Chip Ganassi Racing, and ahead of third place driver Marco Andretti of Andretti Autosport. The top-three finishing order was coincidentally the same as this year’s Indianapolis 500.
IZOD IndyCar Series racing resumes in one week under the lights of Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 4th.
Post Race Quotes: (Aug. 28, 2010)
Ed Carpenter – No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka / Vision Racing / Panther Racing Dallara / Honda / Firestone
Qualifying / Starting Position: 11th
Finishing Position: 20th
On race:
“I just had a really good car that was a lot like Indianapolis and Kentucky last year. It was handling so well that I could put it anywhere. I seemed to be really good on the bottom where a lot of guys were pushing up. I could go high or low and was able to work my way to the front pretty quickly early in the race. The crew did a great job preparing the car but we lost spots on pit stops but got the No. 20 Fuzzy Vodka car back up to the front each time. We saved fuel, got really good mileage and lead some laps. It was a lot of fun but then really disappointing. ”
“It’s pretty frustrating that the two times we’ve run this No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka car, I feel like we should have finished on a podium. We had a fuel issue again; a different problem but the same result. I have to thank the Panther Racing team. They did a great job giving me a super fast car. I’m really happy for Dan Wheldon and his Panther crew and their great second place result. They were just as fast and we can take solace in the fact we too could have been up there battling for the win with him. We said coming in here that we were going to have a chance to win and we did. If we can go without having a fuel issue again, I’m pretty sure we can finish on the podium. I’m feeling very confident for Kentucky and Homestead. We’re not points racing. We’re racing for a win.”
About Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka:
Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka is a grain-based vodka and is a product of Fuzzy’s Spirits, LLC located in Sellersburg, Indiana. Fuzzy’s Spirits, LLC is dedicated to providing responsible golfers and non-golfers with a refreshing vodka drink to enhance their enjoyment of the moment. Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka recently received the prestigious gold medal rating from the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago, and is currently available in twelve states. www.fuz.com / www.fuzzyvodka.com
About Vision Racing:
Vision Racing is owned and operated by Tony and Laura George as well as actor Patrick Dempsey of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team competed full-time in the IZOD IndyCar Series for five seasons from 2005-2009 and began its sixth season of IZOD IndyCar Series competition with an entry in the 2010 Indianapolis 500 as a collaboration with Panther Racing. The two teams will also run together at Chicagoland Speedway, Kentucky Speedway and in the 2010 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In 2009 IZOD IndyCar competition, Vision Racing scored two hard-earned 2nd place podium finishes and posted their best career start (4th), seven top-10 results and their highest total of laps led, laps competed and races completed in a season. Driver Ed Carpenter has finished 5th and 8th in the previous two Indianapolis 500s. Vision Racing continues to proudly perpetuate the legacy of the Hulman-George family through motorsports excellence, by demonstrating the traditions and heritage of the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Racing.
- Vision Racing Press Release
