ECR announces 2012 crew

[Ed Carpenter Racing press release]

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INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 22, 2012) — Ed Carpenter Racing continues its growth as a new IZOD IndyCar Series entrant with the addition of a solid contingent of mechanics and engineering personnel for the upcoming 2012 racing season.

Carpenter, the most recent IZOD IndyCar Series winner last October in Kentucky, announced the formation of Ed Carpenter Racing with its alliance with Indiana-based Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka as the primary sponsor in November. Ed Carpenter Racing recruited veteran racing executive Derrick Walker to head up the new organization based just eight miles from the world’s most famous racing facility, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Last week, ECR revealed the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka car, to be driven by Carpenter, will be powered by the new twin-turbo Chevrolet V6 engine in the 16-race IZOD campaign.

“We are extremely excited with the quality of our Fuzzy’s racing team,” said Carpenter, the only team owner/driver in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar series. “Our staff brings a large amount of IndyCar experience and background.  With Derrick leading the way, I feel very good about the strength of our team.  We have a superb group of IndyCar veterans.”

Ed Carpenter Racing, @ECRIndy on twitter, has comprised an impressive group of team members ready to develop the young team into a contender.

Tim Broyles, with more than 20 years of IndyCar racing experience, has been named team manager for Ed Carpenter Racing, heading up the day-to-day operation.  Broyles, originally from California, has served with the likes of Andretti Autosport, Walker Racing, Team Menard, Hall/VDS and Granatelli Racing.  Broyles’ racing resume includes positions as team manager, shop manager and chief mechanic and race mechanic.

Veteran mechanic Bret Schmitt, who worked closely with Carpenter for five years, has been named chief mechanic for the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Utlra Premium Vodka Chevrolet-powered Dallara car. Schmitt, a Jasper, Ind., native, was a race team member at Mo Nunn Racing, Panther Racing, Vision Racing and KV Racing Technology previously.

Joining Schmitt on the mechanical side at Ed Carpenter Racing are Jimmie Johnson, a 12-year veteran in IndyCar racing as well as stock car and sports car competition; Albert Gray, whose racing experience includes stints in CART, ChampCar and IndyCar; Steve Krock, with four years of open-wheel racing; Paul Hicks, with IndyCar, drag racing and sports car background; and Jeremy Burtner, recently with John Force Racing in NHRA.

ECR earlier announced the signing of longtime racing engineer Michael Cannon to leading the engineering department.  Cannon, who grew up in the sport watching his father, John, compete in Formula 500, has been involved in the sport for nearly 30 years including 12 years as a lead engineer.

In addition to Cannon in the engineering department, ECR has added racing veteran Matt Barnes, with experience at Andretti Autosport, Penske Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing; Brent Harvey, a longtime team member at Panther Racing; Ed Delporte, an 18-year IndyCar engineer most recently with Panther Racing and KV Racing Technology; and Joe Howard, who serves as damper engineer after a stint with Andretti Autosport.

On the logistic side, Matt Giese, who has been with Steve Kinser Racing and Penske Racing, and Jeff Hughes, a former Andretti Autosport member, will head up the transportation department as well as participating in other team areas.

Colleen Dallenbach Howerton is the team coordinator for Ed Carpenter Racing. Howerton grew up in the sport watching her father, Wally, win IndyCar races and has previously served in a variety of roles for teams such as Target Chip Ganassi Racing, PacWest Racing, PKV Racing and Conquest Racing.

Ed Carpenter Racing is scheduled to hit the testing trail in early March with the new No. 20 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka Chevrolet.