INDIANAPOLIS — ECR unveiled Ed Carpenter’s car for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. With a backdrop of Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, the No. 33 was revealed to feature a host of Indiana-based companies.
Carpenter will climb behind the wheel of the No. 33 SlimFast Special as he competes in his hometown race for the 23rd time.
Also joining ECR is AES Indiana, Indianapolis’ primary retail electric service provider. The No. 33 will support Hoosier charitable organizations HATCH and Riley Children’s Foundation.
The No. 33 Chevrolet will feature the iconic red of SlimFast, a trusted protein and meal replacement brand that has helped millions of people on their weight-management journeys for decades.
“We’re proud to share Ed Carpenter’s No. 33 SlimFast® entry for this year’s Indianapolis 500, a race that means so much to our team and our hometown,” said Ted Gelov, owner of ECR and Heartland Chairman and CEO. “The addition of SlimFast® to the Heartland family reflects a continued focus on health and wellness adding an effective and delicious way to increase protein in your daily diet while helping you reach your weight management goals. With SlimFast® joining Splenda® and Java House® on our cars this May, we’re excited to showcase our entire portfolio of iconic brands on the biggest stage in racing.”
ECR has welcomed AES Indiana to the team, which will also be featured prominently on the No. 33. AES Indiana provides retail electric service to more than 500,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Indianapolis, as well as in portions of other central Indiana communities surrounding Marion County.
“AES Indiana has been part of the fabric of Indianapolis for more than a century, and the Indianapolis 500 is one of the traditions that makes this a great community to live, work, and visit,” said Brandi Davis-Handy, President of AES Indiana. “Partnering with ECR and supporting Ed as he competes in his hometown race is a powerful reflection of who we are—local, invested, and proud to help power moments that matter to this city.”
Increasing the Hoosier connections is the charitable arm of the entry. HATCH, headquartered in Carmel, Ind., will be the Official Hunger-Relief Partner of ECR and have branding on the No. 33. HATCH connects farmers and protein producers to food-insecure individuals and families through food banks.
ECR will also long-time support of Riley Children’s Foundation, Indiana’s leading foundation dedicated to supporting children’s health.
Carpenter made his first Indianapolis 500 start in 2004. He is the only individual in the 33-car field who handles both the responsibility of driving the race car and owning and operating his own team.
“There is always so much motivation to win the Indianapolis 500, both for myself as a driver and for ECR as a whole,” Carpenter said. “I’ve been fortunate to run this race many times now, but it means a little more every time you get the chance to compete in it. To represent SlimFast, AES Indiana, and many other Indiana partners is something I take a lot of pride in.”
