INDIANAPOLIS – Every night this week has something different in store for Ed Carpenter, from sponsorship appearances to autograph sessions. It comes with sitting on the pole for the Indy 500.
It also comes with being the hometown boy.
If there is anybody who can deal with all the commotion, it may be Carpenter, with his unflappable nature and aw-shucks attitude. Ernie Els may be known as the Big Easy for the golfer's laidback demeanor, but a fitting moniker for Carpenter might simply be, "Easy Ed."
Carpenter sat on the pole a year ago, too, and finished 10th. But he believes he has the car and the team to win from the pole this year, and despite all the distractions this week, that is where his focus lies as Sunday's race approaches.
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