Vision Racign re-sign Carpenter, Foyt

CARPENTER AND FOYT RETURN TO VISION RACING IN 2008 TEAM PREPARES TWO-CAR EFFORT AND RE-SIGNS FORMIDDABLE DUO

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Feb. 26, 2008) - Vision Racing, LLC has signed drivers Ed Carpenter and A.J. Foyt IV who will both return to the team for the 2008 IndyCar Series season. Carpenter will be participating in his fourth consecutive season with Vision Racing behind the No. 20 Vision Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone while Foyt is returning for his second season with the team. Foyt will drive the Vision Racing No. 2 machine this year.

Carpenter, who has been with the team since it's inception in 2005, is determined to make his fifth season overall, the best for both he and the team. Last year Carpenter recorded six top-10 finishes.

"I wasn't able to capitalize on the team's growth in 2007 like I wanted," Carpenter reflected. "I had some good runs last season, but I expected more. It seemed that more often than not we were the victim of bad luck last year and we've got to look to create our own good fortune this year. The potential, both in myself and the team are there, we just have to make it happen this season."

Carpenter began to breakout in 2006 when he recorded a personal best start (4th at Michigan International Speedway) and best finish (5th at Chicagoland Speedway). Getting back to that level of success and on a consistent basis is his focus.

He said, "I am excited to get back to racing this season. Like last year, we need to get off to a good start like we did at Homestead, but only this time, we need to keep that going and build off of it during the entire season."

Carpenter's second-year teammate in Foyt, who is also the grandson of IndyCar legend, A.J. Foyt, will be competing in his fifth full IndyCar Series and sixth season overall. His first full season came in 2003 while driving for his grandfather's team, Foyt Enterprises, where he remained until 2005.

Last season with Vision Racing, Foyt recorded his first top-five finish and matched a team-high finish with a third place run at Kentucky Speedway. He also led 13 laps and added two more top-10 finishes in 2007 which gives him solid ground with which to rise this year.

"Last season was really good for me in that I was able to prove to myself that I can be successful in these cars. After a taste of what the team and I can do together, I am excited about getting back out there this season and working together to be even better."

The team headed into the off-season after tallying 21 top-ten finishes, three top-five finishes and a third place finish in 17 races. Team manager, Larry Curry, wasted no time in preparing the team for the impending season.

In the fall, Curry welcomed chief engineer, Jeff Britton to the team. Britton is a seasoned IndyCar Series veteran who will lead the team's engineering staff. He is entering his 14th season in the pits with his most recent term of service coming with Rahal Letterman Racing as he engineered their entry for driver, Scott Sharp.

In addition, under Curry's direction the team participated in a great deal of off-season testing, research and development as well as competed in their second Grand American Series Rolex 24 at Daytona. The fruits of their labor is hoped to be harvested all year long.

"We have made various changes in the off-season to improve communication and performance this year," Curry noted. "Based on what we have seen in winter testing, we feel that we are better prepared for the 2008 season than any other season in Vision Racing's history. We feel good with the continuity of bringing back Ed and A.J. to drive and we are pleased with the work that Jeff Britton has done sine he's come aboard. We are setting lofty goals for ourselves this season and we aim to make a statement this year."

Team principal, Tony George, also finds his team well poised for even better results this year. He added, "I am excited to have Ed and A.J. back with the team this year, and I know it is going to be our best year ever. We have restructured a bit over the off-season with an eye toward becoming more competitive week in and week out. I have noticed improved communication and focus on the kinds of things that are important to a winning effort."

-credit: vr