JR Hildebrand, Spencer Pigot to Compete in Two Races in Two Days at the Raceway at Belle Isle

(SPEEDWAY, Ind.) May 31, 2017 – Race Preview

– Five days after competing in the Indianapolis 500, JR Hildebrand and Spencer Pigot will return to the cockpit for practice at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park in Detroit. The Ed Carpenter Racing duo will compete in twin Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolets in the only doubleheader on the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule this weekend, taking on two full-distance, points-paying races in two days.

– Last year’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix was Pigot’s first weekend with Ed Carpenter Racing. After contesting the 2016 Indianapolis 500 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Pigot joined ECR the following week as the road and street course driver for the No. 20 for the remainder of the season. It is a role he retained for the 2017 season, scoring two Top 10 finishes in his first four races this year.

– Hildebrand will be racing in his first doubleheader in Detroit. He previously raced on Belle Isle in 2012, albeit with a different track configuration. The 29-year-old was awarded the No. 21 seat for the entirety of the 2017 season, but had to sit out the third race of the year while recovering from a broken hand. He came back the next weekend to finish 3rd at Phoenix Raceway, the first podium celebration of his Indy car career.

– While team owner and oval driver Ed Carpenter stepped back into the No. 20 for the Indianapolis 500, Pigot competed in the legendary race with Juncos Racing. The 101st Running of the 500-mile race was held last Sunday, May 28. After starting 29th, Pigot persevered throughout the 200 lap race and finished 18th. The 23-year-old will return to the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolet in Detroit.

– For ECR’s lineup, Carpenter and Hildebrand were teammates in the Indianapolis 500 for the fourth year in a row. Carpenter earned a spot on the front row for the third time in the past five years, starting 2nd. Hildebrand qualified 6th, his best starting position in seven Indianapolis 500 starts.

– Both drivers led the race, marking the 10th consecutive season Carpenter has led a Verizon IndyCar Series race and the 2nd year in a row Hildebrand led the Indianapolis 500. Carpenter fell back after contact with another car necessitated a front wing change, but fought through until the end to bring home an 11th place finish. Hildebrand had a Top 5 finish in his sights before being hit with a late-race drive through penalty and finished 16th.

– The 2.34-mile, 13-turn street circuit in Belle Isle will come with a unique set of challenges as Hildebrand and Pigot will compete in two separate races in two days. ECR’s best result in the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix came last year, when Josef Newgarden finished 4th in Race 2. Pigot took the checkered flag in both 2016 races in his debut with ECR.

– Both Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix races will be broadcast live on ABC. Race 1 will air at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 3 while Race 2 airs at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 4.

SPENCER PIGOT (No. 20 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka Chevrolet): “Last year, Detroit was my first race with Ed Carpenter Racing so it will be nice to get back to a track we’ve raced at together. I enjoy the challenges of Belle Isle and I’m excited to race there again. It’s going to be a tough weekend with two races coming off a busy month of May, but I know the Fuzzy’s Vodka crew is up for it!”

JR HILDEBRAND (No. 21 Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka Chevrolet): “I am really looking forward to getting back to Detroit, I haven’t raced at Belle Isle since 2012 and never in the double header! I’ve always enjoyed the city and the whole vibe up there. It’s also the home race for Chevrolet so we’re looking to get a good result for them in both races in the Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevy.”