Carpenter Takes 15th in Pocono Qualifying, Tricky Triangle Holds Up To Nickname

Carpenter Takes 15th in Pocono Qualifying, "Tricky Triangle" Holds Up To Nickname

Topics: Ed Carpenter, Pocono IndyCar 400

Carpenter Takes 15th in Pocono Qualifying, "Tricky Triangle" Holds Up To Nickname

Tom Blattler
Ed Carpenter Racing
July 6, 2013

Grip level wasn't enough for Ed in qualifying at Pocono.

July 6th 2013 - LONG POND, Pa. – After a solid testing day Thursday at Pocono Raceway with the fourth fastest speed, Ed Carpenter and the ECR/Fuzzy’s Vodka team saw the "Tricky Triangle” hold up to its nickname in qualifications for Sunday’s Pocono Indy 400.

Carpenter, this year’s Indy 500 polesitter, qualified 15th Saturday on the 2.5-mile tri-oval in the Pocono Mountains with a two-lap average of 218.100 miles per hour. The series’ only team owner/driver posted a first lap of 218.571 m.p.h. followed by a second lap of 217.631.

The Butler University graduate was disappointed with his effort in the windy and humid conditions. Carpenter felt the track surface had changed since his testing last Thursday.

"It wasn’t a good day for us,” said Carpenter after his qualifying attempt. "We have a lot better car than where we just qualified. We have a lot of work to do now. And it will be hard. That’s because it is hard to pass here. I am disappointed to say the least.”

Carpenter enjoyed a better day in Thursday’s testing runs when he took the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka Chevrolet to the fourth fastest speed. Marco Andretti led an all-Andretti Autosport front row with his pole speed of 221.273 m.p.h. followed by defending series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay at 220.892 and three-time 2013 race winner James Hinchcliffe, all in Chevrolet-powered machines. Will Power was fourth in the Penske Chevrolet with Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan fifth in the Sunoco Chevrolet.

"It will be challenging for the race,” said Carpenter. "Just like Indianapolis, track position will be very important. We just didn’t have enough grip to get through the corners the way I wanted. I will have to work on getting a good start to make up some spots early. This place is tricky, just like the nickname says. With three different turns, it takes a balancing act to get the car as good as possible. We will analyze our data from today and get a good game plan for the race.”

The 160-lap Pocono Indy 400 will be televised Sunday live on ABC-TV, starting at Noon EDT with the green flag dropping at 12:15 p.m.