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IndyCar: Ed Jones to drive for Ed Carpenter Racing in 2019

By Asher Fair

SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Ed Jones of the United Arab Emirates driver of the #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda during practice for the Verizon IndyCar Series Sonoma Grand Prix at Sonoma Raceway on September 14, 2018 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Ed Jones of the United Arab Emirates driver of the #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda during practice for the Verizon IndyCar Series Sonoma Grand Prix at Sonoma Raceway on September 14, 2018 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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Ed Jones is set to replace Jordan King as Ed Carpenter Racing’s road and street course driver in the 2019 IndyCar season.

It was recently confirmed that Jordan King, who made his IndyCar debut in the 2018 season as the driver of the #20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet in the road and street course races, will not be returning to the team in the 2019 season.

As previously speculated, it has now been confirmed that Ed Jones, who has spent two seasons competing in IndyCar, is set to replace the 24-year-old Briton behind the wheel of the #20 Chevrolet in these road and street course races for the 2019 season.

Road and street course races made up 11 of the 17 races on the 2018 schedule, and they make up 12 of the 17 races on the 2019 schedule.

This deal is also set to include a partnership with Scuderia Corsa, the IMSA SportsCar Championship team that made their IndyCar debut in this year’s Indianapolis 500 as a result of a partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

As a result of this new partnership, Jones is also set to drive the #64 Chevrolet in the 2019 Indy 500. Oriol Servia drove the #64 Honda for the team in this year’s Indy 500.

This #64 Chevrolet is set to be a third Ed Carpenter Racing entry for the race. Ed Carpenter Racing team owner Ed Carpenter is set to drive the #20 Chevrolet in the oval races for the sixth consecutive season and Spencer Pigot is set to return to the team as the full-time driver of the #21 Chevrolet for the second consecutive season next year.

Here is what the 23-year-old Briton had to say about the opportunity to drive for Ed Carpenter Racing in the 2019 season’s road and street course races and the Indy 500, according to RACER.

"“Ed Carpenter Racing has shown amazing speed the last few years at the Indianapolis 500. You can always expect the ECR cars to be at the front. I am really grateful for this chance and will do everything I can to make sure we, as a team, make the most of it.”"

Here is what Carpenter had to say about Jones driving the #20 Chevrolet for the team in next season’s road and street course races and the #64 Chevrolet in the Indy 500, according to RACER.

"“I am very excited to welcome Ed Jones to the ECR family, as well as Scuderia Corsa and Giacomo. I was very surprised when Ed became available at the end of the season. I look forward to working together to get ECR back in Victory Lane.”"

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Jones spent his rookie season, the 2017 season, driving the #19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda before he was named Tony Kanaan’s replacement behind the wheel of the #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda for the 2018 season.

In the 2017 season, Jones racked up five top 10 finishes, including a third place finish in the Indianapolis 500, in 17 races en route to a 14th place finish in the championship standings that resulted in him earning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award.

This past season, Jones racked up eight top 10 finishes, including two more third place finishes, in 17 races en route to a 13th place finish in the championship standings.

It was announced last month that former Formula E driver Felix Rosenqvist is set to replace Jones behind the wheel of the #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda for next season.

There were originally rumors that Jones could end up driving for Carlin, as he drove for the team in the 2015 and 2016 Indy Lights season, winning the championship in the latter. Carlin entered IndyCar this past season with two cars, and they may end up fielding three cars next season.

However, with the confirmation that Jones is set to drive for Ed Carpenter Racing in the 2019 season’s road and street course races as well as the Indy 500, Carlin will have to look elsewhere to fill their driver lineup for next year.

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How will Ed Jones perform as the driver of the #20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet in the 2019 IndyCar season’s road and street course races and in the Indianapolis 500? The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida is scheduled to open up the season on Sunday, March 10, 2019.