Ed Carpenter is only planning to run one race this year - the Indianapolis 500. (IndyCar Photo)
Ed Carpenter is only planning to run one race this year - the Indianapolis 500. (IndyCar Photo)
NTT IndyCar Series

Carpenter Excited To Have Daly In For Full IndyCar Season

January 20, 2022

INDIANAPOLIS – Conor Daly went to Las Vegas to celebrate his 30th birthday a few weeks ago and hit the jackpot.
 
He didn’t win at the blackjack table, the roulette wheel or with a slot machine. Instead, he landed a multi-year sponsor for the NTT IndyCar Series in the No. 20 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing.
 
BitNile will serve as Daly’s primary sponsor and will also serve as an associate sponsor on Ed Carpenter Racing’s second entry on the No. 21 Chevrolet.
 
BitNile Holdings Inc. is a diversified holding company specializing in disruptive technologies, including cryptocurrencies and innovations in the field of Decentralized Finance (“DeFi”). BitNile focuses on large-scale crypto mining with energy-efficient, powerful operations strategically located in North America. In addition, they currently operate their own high-density data center. With a mission to simplify the DeFi process for all involved, BitNile invests in technology platforms that provide crypto holders a vehicle to earn interest on their crypto assets.
 
The deal is so good, that owner/driver Ed Carpenter has decided to put Daly in that car for the full season. In the past, Carpenter has driven the car on the ovals and Daly was the driver on the street and road courses.
 
For now, Carpenter is confirmed to drive a third entry in the 106th Indianapolis 500. He is a three-time Indianapolis 500 pole winner and finished second to Will Power in the 2018 Indianapolis 500.
 
“That’s what we’re confirmed for today, but that could change,” Carpenter said earlier this week in Indianapolis during IndyCar’s Content Day at the JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. “We’re definitely working towards me doing some more, but just not to a point we’re going to lock it in yet. I have a desire to race more. This opportunity came about that kind of steered us that direction as a team and business. When you get those, to me it was very similar to the process of me not running full-time in 2014.
 
“This is a great opportunity for our business with a new partner coming in to transition the 20 car to one full-time driver. I know I’ll be at Indy. Maybe you’ll see me at some or all of the other ovals.”
 
Carpenter will have a different car number when he hits the track for his first race this year, which for now appears to be just the Indianapolis 500. If he finds enough sponsorship for more ovals, it could be as early as Texas Motor Speedway in March.
 
“Everything we do at some level is partnership related,” Carpenter explained. “We had the fortune to bring on BitNile as a partner. They were looking for one driver to go behind for the season. I’m definitely not going to go back to running road courses outside of an emergency sub situation if required.
 
“This is definitely sponsor, business driven for sure.”
 
Ed Carpenter Racing will have two full-time entries, with Daly in the No. 20 and third-year driver Rinus VeeKay in the No. 21 Sonax Chevrolet.
 
“I’m excited,” Carpenter said. “It’s nice to have some continuity, expand the continuity a little bit. For me obviously still chasing Indianapolis and as many other races and wins as I can compete in.”
 
He admits it will be strange to see another driver in his car at an oval, but as the team owner, Carpenter made the best move for the entire operation.
 
“First off, I’ll be happy, for sure be happy, if any of our team cars can win,” Carpenter said. “Everything we do is as a group and a unit. That doesn’t mean that I would not want to win it myself if I got to pick.
 
“We definitely go there with the same intention on every one of our cars and every one of our drivers. It’s hard to say what my emotions would be like as far as happy meter personally and professionally. Either way it’s an accomplishment.
 
“I know from seeing how Bryan Herta, for example, reacted with winning it as an owner, it’s equally as impactful for what we’re doing, which is on a different level.”
 
Carpenter had also considered Ryan Hunter-Reay for his team after the driver left Andretti Autosport at the end of last season.
 
“I talk to Ryan still because we’re friends,” Carpenter said. “We have been for a long time. I’m not sure that there’s really an opportunity at the here and now, which Ryan and I have talked about. But I will always continue to talk to Ryan because he’s a good guy. I’m sure he’ll end up being around at some point, whether it’s with us or someone else because he definitely still has a desire to be here.”