From NASCAR to IndyCar: Cole Pearn’s Unique Engineering Journey
In a surprising turn of events, championship-winning NASCAR crew chief Cole Pearn found himself engineering an Indy 500 team for Ed Carpenter Racing in 2020. Despite the stark differences in design between a stock car and an Indycar, Pearn quickly adapted to the new challenge. He found the engineering aspect to be surprisingly similar, with familiar load paths and corner geometries. Pearn’s initiation to the IndyCar Series showed promise, but ultimately ended with a disappointing 29th place finish for driver Conor Daly. While Pearn has since returned to operating his lodging chain in Canada, he remains involved in NASCAR by handling aero mapping for Joe Gibbs Racing. Team owner Ed Carpenter praised Pearn’s quick adaptation to the nuances of an Indy car and expressed a desire to see him return for the full scope of the Indy 500 experience.
Cole Pearn’s Thoughts on IndyCar Racing and The Greatest Spectacle in Racing
Despite his successful engineering stint with Ed Carpenter Racing in the Indy 500, Cole Pearn found the experience to be challenging in some aspects. Pearn noted the abundance of practice sessions in IndyCar racing compared to NASCAR, which left him feeling bored and constantly trying new things. The sensitivity and temperamental nature of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway added an additional layer of complexity for Pearn, who preferred to stick to a solid race plan. While he missed out on the full fan experience due to the race being held behind closed doors, Pearn still appreciated the opportunity to work in a different racing environment and gain a new perspective on the sport.
Cole Pearn’s Future in Racing: A Return to IndyCar?
As Cole Pearn continues to operate his lodging chain in British Columbia, the question remains — will he make a return to IndyCar racing in the future? Pearn expressed reservations about returning due to his all-in mentality and the challenges of being a temporary addition to a racing team. While he found the experience rewarding in many ways, Pearn struggled with not being fully integrated into the team on a regular basis. Despite this, team owner Ed Carpenter welcomed the idea of Pearn returning for another stint in IndyCar racing, emphasizing his intelligence and quick adaptation to a new discipline. Only time will tell if Cole Pearn will once again grace the grid of «The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.»
