Rossi teaming with Rasmussen at Ed Carpenter Racing
09/25/2024 12:00 PM
The most frequently asked IndyCar question of the year finally has its answer: Alexander Rossi will continue his career at Ed Carpenter Racing.
ECR will launch its 14th season in the NTT IndyCar Series with the 32-year-old Rossi as its new leader and retain 24-year-old Christian Rasmussen, who showed glimpses of promise in his rookie season with the program, as the core of its effort. The American-Danish duo will represent the team under its new co-ownership structure where Ed Carpenter has been joined by Indianapolis businessman Ted Gelov and his Heartland Food Products Group as primary sponsor of the Nos. 20 and 21 Chevrolets.
“It is an exciting day to not only welcome Alex to the team, but to extend our relationship with Christian," said Carpenter. "We are very excited about our lineup, and other partnership announcements that will be forthcoming. As excited as I am about these additions, I also want to thank Rinus (VeeKay) for his five years with the team. It is always hard to say goodbye to a teammate and a friend, but I am confident that Rinus’ career will continue to blossom. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, I am fully focused on getting ECR back to new heights, winning races and contending for championships."
Carpenter, who curtailed his oval-only season and handed the controls to Rasmussen late in 2024, has formalized the reduction in his driving schedule and will make a single outing in May at the Indianapolis 500 in a third ECR entry.
For Rossi, who steps into the No. 20 Chevy after spending 2016-2022 with Andretti Global and 2023-2024 with Arrow McLaren, ECR marks his third stop in the paddock. For ECR, which has been mired in IndyCar's midfield for the past eight seasons, it's a team that can make immediate use of Rossi's considerable experience and renown technical feedback to try and challenge the front-running outfits.
“I'm honored that Ed and the entire ECR ownership group recognize the value I can bring to the team," said Rossi. "Their commitment to excellence, along with the power of Chevrolet and the ambitious plans they have for the future made this opportunity impossible to pass up. I'm eager to get started and contribute to the team's continued success."
With eight wins, including the Indianapolis 500, seven poles, and 30 podiums from 147 races, Rossi brings speed and consistency to an ECR squad that has lacked one or the other for many years. Across his nine IndyCar seasons, Rossi has placed inside the top 10 in the championship for the last eight, having reached a high of second in 2018 and third in 2019. For Arrow McLaren, he placed ninth on debut and 10th last season.
In Rossi, ECR has also acquired the most successful full-time driver in its history. Just as veteran Ryan Hunter-Reay did for former driver Rinus VeeKay during his half season with ECR in 2023, Rossi is expected to serve as both teammate and mentor to Rasmussen and share new ways to be successful as he enters his sophomore year of IndyCar competition.
Winner of the 2023 Indy NXT championship, Rasmussen demonstrated considerable speed at times alongside VeeKay — and also made frequent contact with rivals and walls before establishing a stronger balance of aggression and restraint in the latter stages of his rookie campaign. Amid the rocky patches, the bones of promising talent stood out, and with a season of knowledge to draw from, plus the wisdom and guidance Rossi can offer, Rasmussen has been given a prime opportunity to make an impact in his second season with the team.
"I'm incredibly excited to earn a full-time role with Ed Carpenter Racing," said Rasmussen. "My rookie year in IndyCar was full of firsts, and I can't wait to bring everything I've learned into my second season. I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to team up with Alexander to push the team forward and fight towards the front of the grid more consistently."
