Indy 500 Shock: Ed Carpenter Blazes to Front-Row Start with Fastest Qualifying Lap in Years

Veteran owner-driver Ed Carpenter returns to the 109th Indianapolis 500 this Sunday looking to turn hometown experience into long-awaited victory. The 44-year-old Indianapolis native will roll off 14th in the No. 33 Chevrolet after recording a four-lap average of 231.633 mph during qualifying, the fastest effort of any part-time entrant in the field. Carpenter’s Ed Carpenter Racing stable is fielding three cars this May—his own entry plus full-season teammates Alexander Rossi and rookie Christian Rasmussen—giving the tight-knit squad multiple chances to fight for the Borg-Warner Trophy. Carpenter, who owns three career Indy 500 poles (2013, ’14, ’18) and a best finish of second in 2018, is making his 22nd start on the 2.5-mile oval, the most of any active driver without a win. Race-day strategy will hinge on Chevrolet’s fuel mileage and clean pit stops; starting mid-pack, Carpenter knows track position has to be gained early before turbulent air thickens. Carb Day practice showed promise as the No. 33 consistently drafted inside the top 12 on long runs, confirming the team’s “trim-out” setup aimed at late-race speed surge. A local favorite, the Butler University graduate routinely draws the loudest roar in driver introductions, and 300,000-plus fans are expected to pack Indianapolis Motor Speedway when the green flag drops at 12:45 p.m. ET. Weather forecasts call for temperatures in the mid-70s—ideal for managing Firestone tire wear and keeping turbo temps in check. Key Storylines to Watch • Home-Town Hero: Carpenter remains the only active IndyCar owner-driver; a win would make him the first since A.J. Foyt (1977) to conquer the “500” wearing both hats. • Chevy vs. Honda: Carpenter’s bow-tie powerplants have claimed pole but not victory since 2023; Sunday’s race offers a prime chance to swing momentum back after Honda swept the last two ovals. • Drafting Partners: With Rossi starting 7th and Rasmussen 20th, Ed Carpenter Racing cars could team up in traffic to leapfrog slower packs and attack the leaders after the final fuel window. Fast Facts for Searchers – Starting Position: 14th (Row 5) – Qualifying Speed: 231.633 mph – Career Indy 500 Poles: 3 – Best Finish: 2nd (2018) – Team: Ed Carpenter Racing / Chevrolet How to Watch Live coverage begins on FOX at noon ET with streaming on IndyCar Live and radio on SiriusXM 218, the IndyCar Radio Network and local affiliates. SEO-friendly takeaway: Searchers looking for “Ed Carpenter Indy 500 2025 starting position,” “Ed Carpenter qualifying speed,” or “Ed Carpenter Racing lineup” will find the latest updates here as Carpenter pursues his first Indianapolis 500 triumph at age 44.