Photo Credit: Forrest Mellott/IndyCar
Ed Carpenter Racing announced recently that JR Hilderbrand would be returning to the team for both the Angie List Grand Prix of Indy and for the Indy 500.
The team was happy to have him back again because last year the trio which included Hilderbrand, (Ed) Carpenter and (Josef) Newgarden were dubbed America’s Team because they were the only team to include all American drivers. No one is more excited to be back with Carpenter and Newgarden then Hilderbrand.
“I’m really glad we were able to put everything together at ECR to continue our program with Preferred Freezer, especially going into this year’s 100th Running of the 500, you know everyone is bringing their absolute best to the fight,” he said. “After the experience I’ve had over the last two years with this team, I know that we’re going to be bringing a race-winning effort ourselves. I’m looking forward to working with Ed and Josef again and putting the PFS entries up front throughout May!”
This will be Hilderbrand’s sixth start in the Indy 500 and his second start in the Angie List Grand Prix of Indy. He was named rookie of the year for the Indy 500 after finishing second to the late Dan Wheldon in 2011. Indy has been a good track for him as he has three top-10 starts and three top-10 finishes. He finished eighth in last year’s 500-mile race, the best finish of the three ECR drivers.
ECR also announced that Preferred Freezer Services (PFS) will be returning as primary sponsor on all three cars for the 500 as well as on Hilderbrand and Newgarden’s cars for the Angie List Indy Grand Prix. PSF will also be primary sponsor on Newgarden’s car during the Grand Prix of Boston, as well as Honda Indy Toronto. PSF will also be associate sponsors throughout the whole 2016 season and they will also be the main logo on owner Carpenter’s firesuit.
“It is great to have Preferred Freezer back for another Month of May and to carry them on the cars all year long, It is always ‘cool’ to have the giant polar bear around,” Carpenter said. “This is a partnership that has grown each year and we are proud to see it grow again this year. We all have high hopes for all of our team cars at Indianapolis and I can’t wait to get started.”
