Preferred Freezer Services Backs Carpenter At Indy

Preferred Freezer Services will back Ed Carpenter in the 2019 Indianapolis 500. (IndyCar Photo)

Preferred Freezer Services will continue its sponsorship agreement with Ed Carpenter Racing, with the company backing team owner Ed Carpenter as he attempts to qualify for the 103rd Indianapolis 500.

Preferred Freezer Services, a global leader in the cold storage, warehousing, distribution and logistics industry, first teamed up with Ed Carpenter Racing to field a second car for the team in the 2014 Indianapolis 500. The company has supported ECR’s Indianapolis 500 program each year since, serving as primary partner on six entries for the 500-mile race over the past five years.

Of those six entries, four have yielded top-10 finishes, including a third-place in 2016. Last year, full-time ECR driver Spencer Pigot started a Preferred Freezer Services Chevrolet on the outside of the second row after making the Fast Nine Shootout during qualifying.

Carpenter is honored to have the opportunity to make his 16th Indianapolis 500 start in the No. 20 Preferred Freezer Services Chevrolet.

“Preferred Freezer Services, along with DEEM, has been an amazing partner of ECR over the years," said Carpenter. “I have always thought that the bold blue livery stood out and looked fast on track. I can’t wait to represent Preferred Freezer, DEEM, SMC and all of their employees at the Indianapolis 500."

While Carpenter now races exclusively at the oval events, he remains one of the most experienced drivers in the NTT IndyCar Series field with more than 175 career starts. In 2018, he became just the 10th driver to collect three or more Indianapolis 500 pole positions in the century-plus history of the race.

When Carpenter took the green flag from the coveted first starting position, 2018 became the 11th season in a row that he has led at least one Indy car race. The Indianapolis native went on to lead the most laps of all drivers (65) on his way a runner-up finish in the 102nd running of the 500-mile classic. Of Carpenter’s 15 Indianapolis 500 starts, last year’s second place was the highest of his career.

Indianapolis-based Ed Carpenter Racing will also enjoy ongoing support for the No. 20 from two companies with deep Hoosier ties. SMC Corporation of America has returned for a second Indianapolis 500 with Carpenter. SMC Corporation, based in Japan, is the world’s largest pneumatics company dedicated to factory automation. SMC is the U.S. subsidiary of SMC Corporation and is headquartered in Noblesville, Ind.

Additionally, DEEM Mechanical and Electrical Company will continue as one of ECR’s longest-tenured partners as the relationship with the No. 20 dates back to 2013. DEEM is centrally located in Indianapolis, Ind. with satellite offices throughout the Midwest down to the southeastern United States.

“We are excited to be a big part of the 103 Running of the Indy 500," stated Trut Edwards, Head of Operations. “Ed and ECR continue to deliver a great experience that reflects what May in Indianapolis is about."

A Preferred Freezer Services Chevrolet will also take to the track for the IndyCar Grand Prix, the road course race immediately preceding the Indianapolis 500. Ed Jones too will race a blue and white No. 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, albeit on the 2.439-mile road course before handing the car over to Carpenter for the Indianapolis 500.

The famous PFS polar bear will also be present on the No. 20 of Carpenter (ovals) and Jones (road/street courses) and the No. 21 of Pigot for the remainder of the NTT IndyCar Series season.