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Ed Jones Set for Road Courses, Indianapolis 500 in 2019 With Ed Carpenter Racing

Ed Jones will drive 12 of the 17 events of the 2019 IndyCar Series, including the Indianapolis 500, for Ed Carpenter Racing, the team announced Wednesday (Oct. 17).

The news comes after RACER first reported Tuesday that Jordan King would not return to ECR in 2019, leaving a vacancy in the No. 20 Chevrolet.

ECR will combine with Scuderia Corsa for Jones’ No. 20 ride. He will also pilot the No. 64 for the Indianapolis 500. Team owner Ed Carpenter will drive the car in the oval races.

“Joining Ed Carpenter Racing and Scuderia Corsa for the 2019 IndyCar Series is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of,” Jones said in a team statement. “Both ECR and Scuderia Corsa have been successful in their respective series, and I feel the combination of forces will be greatly beneficial. I’m extremely excited to get underway.”

Jones has two straight full-time seasons under his belt, most recently with Chip Ganassi Racing. He has 34 starts in the IndyCar Series, with a best finish of third twice.

The move is Scuderia Corsa’s next step into open-wheel racing.  The team has won in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 12 Hours of Sebring, 10 Hours of Petit Le Mans and 6 Hours of Watkins Glen as a sports car team.

Scuderia Corsa made their first appearance in IndyCar in the Indianapolis 500 this year, teaming with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing to field IndyCar veteran Oriol Servià in the No. 64.

“As we expand our racing efforts in the IndyCar Series I couldn’t think of anyone better than Ed Jones and Ed Carpenter Racing,” Giacomo Mattioli, team principal, Scuderia Corsa, said. “We are thrilled to join them!”

As previously announced, Spencer Pigot will return to the organization after a successful 2018 season. Jones and Pigot have a history together, with the two battling for the 2015 Indy Lights championship, Pigot coming out on top. Jones won the 2016 Indy Lights championship, giving Ed Carpenter Racing two of the last four Indy Lights champions

Jones will make his Ed Carpenter Racing debut on the Streets of St. Petersberg on March 10.

His favorite tracks on the circuit include Barber Motorsports Park, Iowa Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville, and Bristol Motor Speedway.

During the season, Christian also spends time as a photographer with multiple other outlets shooting Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Minor League & Major League Baseball, and NCAA Football.