Essentially the most ceaselessly requested IndyCar query of the yr lastly has its reply: Alexander Rossi will proceed his profession at Ed Carpenter Racing.
ECR will launch its 14th season within the NTT IndyCar Sequence with the 32-year-old Rossi as its new chief and retain 24-year-old Christian Rasmussen, who confirmed glimpses of promise in his rookie season with this system, because the core of its effort. The American-Danish duo will signify the workforce beneath its new co-ownership construction the place Ed Carpenter has been joined by Indianapolis businessman Ted Gelov and his Heartland Meals Merchandise Group as major sponsor of the Nos. 20 and 21 Chevrolets.
“It’s an thrilling day to not solely welcome Alex to the workforce, however to increase our relationship with Christian,” stated Carpenter. “We’re very enthusiastic about our lineup, and different partnership bulletins that will likely be forthcoming. As excited as I’m about these additions, I additionally need to thank Rinus (VeeKay) for his 5 years with the workforce. It’s all the time laborious to say goodbye to a teammate and a good friend, however I’m assured that Rinus’ profession will proceed to blossom. As we stay up for 2025 and past, I’m absolutely targeted on getting ECR again to new heights, profitable races and contending for championships.”
Carpenter, who curtailed his oval-only season and handed the controls to Rasmussen late in 2024, has formalized the discount in his driving schedule and can make a single outing in Might on the Indianapolis 500 in a 3rd ECR entry.
For Rossi, who steps into the No. 20 Chevy after spending 2016-2022 with Andretti World and 2023-2024 with Arrow McLaren, ECR marks his third cease within the paddock. For ECR, which has been mired in IndyCar’s midfield for the previous eight seasons, it’s a workforce that may make rapid use of Rossi’s appreciable expertise and renown technical suggestions to attempt to problem the front-running outfits.
“I’m honored that Ed and all the ECR possession group acknowledge the worth I can deliver to the workforce,” stated Rossi. “Their dedication to excellence, together with the ability of Chevrolet and the bold plans they’ve for the long run made this chance unattainable to cross up. I’m desirous to get began and contribute to the workforce’s continued success.”
With eight wins, together with the Indianapolis 500, seven poles, and 30 podiums from 147 races, Rossi brings velocity and consistency to an ECR squad that has lacked one or the opposite for a few years. Throughout his 9 IndyCar seasons, Rossi has positioned inside the highest 10 within the championship for the final eight, having reached a excessive of second in 2018 and third in 2019. For Arrow McLaren, he positioned ninth on debut and tenth final season.
In Rossi, ECR has additionally acquired essentially the most profitable full-time driver in its historical past. Simply as veteran Ryan Hunter-Reay did for former driver Rinus VeeKay throughout his half season with ECR in 2023, Rossi is anticipated to function each teammate and mentor to Rasmussen and share new methods to achieve success as he enters his sophomore yr of IndyCar competitors.
Winner of the 2023 Indy NXT championship, Rasmussen demonstrated appreciable velocity at occasions alongside VeeKay — and in addition made frequent contact with rivals and partitions earlier than establishing a stronger steadiness of aggression and restraint within the latter phases of his rookie marketing campaign. Amid the rocky patches, the bones of promising expertise stood out, and with a season of data to attract from, plus the knowledge and steerage Rossi can provide, Rasmussen has been given a chief alternative to make an affect in his second season with the workforce.
“I’m extremely excited to earn a full-time position with Ed Carpenter Racing,” stated Rasmussen. “My rookie yr in IndyCar was filled with firsts, and I can’t wait to deliver the whole lot I’ve discovered into my second season. I’m extraordinarily grateful for this chance and searching ahead to workforce up with Alexander to push the workforce ahead and struggle in direction of the entrance of the grid extra persistently.”
