Ed Carpenter has explained that JR Hildebrand, who was last week confirmed as replacement for Josef Newgarden in the #21 ECR-Chevy, had been someone he wanted to sign even before his first race for the team in 2014. Carpenter, who has seen his team score five wins in the past three seasons, told media that although he has spoken with several drivers over the winter, the solution to who would replace the Penske-bound Newgarden was simple. He told media today: “We talked to quite a few people. But JR was always at the top of the list of someone we wanted to work with. JR and I have been talking about this before he ever ran a car for us at Indy for the first time.
 “It took us a little...
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