Sinden sign Carpenter for Pro Series assault.

If preparation time is the key to success then Sinden Racing Service and its newly appointed driver Ed Carpenter have already got a jump on their Infiniti Pro Series rivals after they became the first driver/team combination to firm up their plans for the inaugural Pro Series campaign in 2002.

Former Indy Racing League team Sinden Racing Service will field 2001 USAC Sprint Car Rookie of the Year Ed Carpenter in the 2002 Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series, team co-owner Jeff Sinden announced on Friday.

Carpenter, 20, will drive the No. 44 Menards-sponsored entry during the inaugural Infiniti Pro Series season with additional sponsorship provided by the Jack K. Elrod Company and Futaba. This will be the fourth consecutive season that Carpenter has driven entries sponsored by Menards.

"As one of the founding teams of the Indy Racing League, I am excited to be associated with the new Infiniti Pro Series and proud to continue my relationship with Ed Carpenter," said John Menard, Menards owner and owner of champion Indy Racing League entrant Team Menard.

Carpenter was equally enthusiastic about competing in the new development series that serves as an essential stepping-stone for drivers striving to reach the pinnacle of open-wheel, oval-track racing in America, the Indy Racing League.

"Since the IRL announced the Infiniti Pro Series, I have been eager to find an opportunity to race in the series," said Carpenter, who began his motorsports career at age 8 driving quarter-midgets. "After our success together at the end of last season, I am very excited about working with team owners Jeff Sinden and Joe Kennedy again in 2002."

Carpenter first teamed with Sinden Racing in 2001. They competed in four races together in the USAC Stoops Freightliner Sprint Car series, culminating with a season-ending victory at Salem Speedway. The team is looking forward to building on that success in 2002.

"We're confident that the combination of our quality sponsors, Sinden Racing's experience, and Ed's commitment and dedication will make us a strong contender for the Infiniti Pro Series championship," said co-owner Joe Kennedy.

Carpenter and Sinden will face competition from as yet unnamed entries from Hemelgarn Racing, Genoa Racing and a new team set up by former Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk who have all confirmed their intentions to fight for the inaugural Pro Series crown.

The Infiniti Pro Series will debut on July 7, 2002, at Kansas Speedway. The Kansas race will be the first of seven anticipated Infiniti Pro Series events in 2002. Races will take place at the same track and on the same weekend as Indy Racing League events, with every Infiniti Pro Series race distance set at 100 miles.