Rossi Joins Ed Carpenter Racing, Rasmussen Elevated to Full-Time Driver

In a significant move, the NTT IndyCar Series team Ed Carpenter Racing has announced that former Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi will join the team as one of its two drivers in 2025. This announcement comes just a day after the team revealed Indiana businessman Ted Gelov of Heartland Foods as a new partner. The team also confirmed that Christian Rasmussen, who recently completed his rookie season with ECR, has been elevated to a full-time driver role.

Powering the Future of IndyCar Racing

Rossi Joins the ECR Lineup

Alexander Rossi, the winner of the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016, will be joining the Ed Carpenter Racing team in 2025. Rossi, who has a wealth of experience in various racing disciplines, including Formula 1, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Baja 1000, will be taking over the full-time duties in the No. 21 Chevrolet. This move marks a significant addition to the ECR roster, as the team looks to bolster its competitiveness and challenge for race wins and championships.Rossi's impressive resume, which includes 30 career podium finishes and eight victories in the NTT IndyCar Series, makes him a valuable asset to the team. His talent and versatility have earned him recognition worldwide, and his decision to join ECR is a testament to the team's commitment to excellence and their ambitious plans for the future."I'm honored that Ed (Carpenter), and the entire ECR ownership group recognize the value I can bring to the team," Rossi said. "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."

Rasmussen Elevated to Full-Time Driver

Alongside the addition of Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing has also announced that Christian Rasmussen will be elevated to a full-time driver role. Rasmussen, who recently completed his rookie season with ECR, has impressed the team with his performance and potential.Rasmussen joined ECR in 2024 after a successful career in other racing series, including winning three championships in four years, including the 2023 INDY title. In his debut Indianapolis 500, he drove from 24th to 12th and was the highest finishing rookie in the field. Despite not having driven a lap at the Milwaukee Mile prior, he finished just outside of the Top 10, showcasing his adaptability and skill."I'm incredibly excited to earn a full-time role with Ed Carpenter Racing," Rasmussen said. "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 (Rossi) to push the team forward and fight towards the front of the grid more consistently."

A Strengthened Partnership with Heartland Foods

The announcement of Rossi's and Rasmussen's roles at Ed Carpenter Racing comes on the heels of another significant development for the team – the partnership with Indiana businessman Ted Gelov of Heartland Foods.Gelov, who owns Heartland Food Products Group, which features the well-known brands Splenda and Java House, has joined the ECR ownership group. This partnership aligns with the team's values and shared vision for the future, as they look to leverage the strength of these iconic brands to further enhance their competitiveness on the track."It's fantastic to find a partner that so closely aligns with our values and shared vision for the future of Ed Carpenter Racing," Carpenter said. "We also plan on having a Java House or Splenda car on track next season, which would be special for us to work with one of our own brands."The addition of Gelov and the Heartland Foods brands to the ECR family is a testament to the team's growing appeal and the increasing interest in the NTT IndyCar Series from high-caliber brands and business partners.

A Bittersweet Farewell and a Bright Future

While the team is excited about the additions of Rossi and Rasmussen, they also acknowledge the departure of Rinus VeeKay, who had been with the team since 2020 and scored his first IndyCar Series win with Carpenter in 2021."As excited as I am about these additions, I also want to thank Rinus (VeeKay) for his five years with the team," Carpenter said. "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 Ed Carpenter Racing looks ahead to the 2025 season and beyond, the team is fully focused on getting back to new heights, winning races, and contending for championships. With the addition of Rossi and the continued development of Rasmussen, coupled with the support of Heartland Foods, the future of the team appears bright and promising.