Carpenter, the stepson of Indy Racing League founder Tony George, has been racing since he was 8 years old and balanced racing and education throughout much of his career. Carpenter graduated from Butler University with a degree in Marketing in 2003, a few weeks before he won the Freedom 100 at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Carpenter always has been interested in things with engines.

"I lived out in the country and would always ride three-wheelers and motorcycles and drive tractors," he said. "Once I got my first quarter-midget, I fell in love with it and wanted to do it ever since."

Ed was the first driver to run an Indy Lights and Indy Car Series race in the same weekend. He made his Indy Car debut at Chicagoland in 2003, after running the Lights race that same weekend.

Ed is married to Heather Carpenter. They have two children, Makenna and Ryder.