Tag: Christian Rasmussen

Milwaukee Wrap-Up

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Two Notes

Photo: Penske Entertainment by Joe Skibinski

1.Dear IndyCar- especially Messrs. Penske, Boles, and Miles-

Keep Milwaukee on the schedule permanently. The last two years have seen three very good races. The track is a classic, pure IndyCar track. The fans will show up.

Yesterday the crowd energy was palpable. I haven’t felt crowd excitement like that since that race you run in May. 2025 can be built on. Thank you.

Sincerely, Every IndyCar fan in the world.

2. A huge shoutout to the staff at Wisconsin State Fair Park for putting on a great weekend. Promotion was outstanding as the crowd indicates. There were many logistical improvements from 2024. All this was accomplished while having to clean up from a flood two weeks ago.

Huge thanks to Snap-On for assuming the title sponsor role.

The Race

The Snap-On Milwaukee Mile 250 is definitely in contention for best race of the year. There was action throughout the field, three on track lead changes, including one for the victory, and a late race strategy decision that changed the event’s complexion.

I just watched the FOX replay, and my impression of the race became even better. More on the broadcast in a bit.

Not only should Milwaukee be awarded a long-term contract but yesterday was exhibit A for more oval races. Not necessarily double headers- I think Milwaukee worked better as a single event- but a variety of short and medium sized tracks.

Congratulations to Christian Rasmussen on joining the IndyCar Winners’ Club. I think this is the first of many for him.

From yesterday:

A Splenda’d Victory-Quick Thoughts on the Milwaukee 250

FOX Coverage

It has been a learning year for FOX, and the broadcast improves every race.

I loved the opening segments with the vintage clips and the billboards showcasing the greats who have won at the fairgrounds.

Jack Harvey has improved immensely through the season, and he is now very comfortable in his pit reporting role. I wonder if the grid walk allowed him to feel more relaxed as he could talk with his fellow drivers.

I liked the way the pit stop timer was presented, where I could check several pit stop times at once, but their inconsistencies in showing the timing got a bit annoying. WE did not see times for crucial stops at important moments.

FOX was in commercial during the last yellow when many drivers dove into the pits for fresh tires- the key moment of the race. Thew broadcast returned as cars were exiting the pits. The moment called for cut back to action and a makeup spot elsewhere.

I don’t know which producer had the prescience to follow Christian Rasmussen so closely all day. That was a great call. Rasmussen was a show all by himself all day.

The biggest disappointment was no post-race show for a race that deserved many interviews and analysis.

Every year after the Indianapolis 500 I begin anticipating the following year’s race. I am eagerly waiting for Milwaukee’s date in 2026 just as much now.

A Splenda’d Victory-Quick Thoughts on the Milwaukee 250

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I had a feeling history would be made today, just not the history that happened. Congratulations to Christian Rasmussen and ECR,

Christian Rasmussen used fresher tires to pass 2025 champion Alex Palou with 15 laps to go and easily drove to his first IndyCar win in the Milwaukee 250. It was the first win for Ed Carpenter Racing since Rinus VeeKay won the Indy GP at IMS.

Early on it looked to be David Malukas’s day when he passed Palou after an early restart. Palou retook the lead on lap 41 and appeared to be running away from the field. A bad pit stop took Malukas out of contention, but he fought back to finish eighth.

Pato O’Ward overcame a difficult pit stop to finish fifth and clinch second place in the championship.

Rasmussen made 48 of the 685 on track passes. 368 passes were for position.

In the post race conference, Palou and Scott McLaughlin agreed that the decision on whether to take fresh tires during th elate yellow was “50/50”.

Attendance was outstanding today. The grandstands were mostly full. This morning, more general admission tickets went on sale, and they sold out. HyVee sponsored this event last year, and I wondered how well attended this race would be.

It was agreat day all around for ECR with Alexandr Rossi’s fourth place finish.

The yellow for Graham Rahal’s slide in turn 2 was a bit quick. Rahal recovered and didn’t make contact.

The IndyCar season now has had six different winners in 2025, which is approaching a more normal number of winners. At mid season I had to wonder how few winners there would be.

That will do it for me today. I will have a wrap-up tomorrow after I watch the television replay. Thanks fo following along this weekend.

Results

ECR Confirms Rossi, Rasmussen for 2025

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From Ed Carpenter Racing:

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 25, 2024) – Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) announced today the team’s driver lineup for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi will join the team behind the wheel of the No. 20 Chevrolet for 2025 and Christian Rasmussen, who recently completed his rookie season with ECR, has been elevated to full-time driver of the No. 21 Chevrolet, both on multi-year deals. Team co-owner Ed Carpenter will round out ECR’s three-car lineup for the Indianapolis 500. This news comes on the heels of welcoming Heartland Food Products Group and their iconic brands, Splenda and Java House, to the ECR family.
Carpenter is thrilled with both the addition of veteran Rossi and the future for Rasmussen. 
“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.”
Rossi joins ECR after nine previous seasons in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Rossi has 30 career podium finishes, including eight victories, most notably the 2016 Indianapolis 500. The Nevada City, California native was the first American rookie to win since 1928. Rossi’s talent has taken him worldwide, with wins in F2, World Series by Renault, and the 24 Hours of Daytona along with starts in a Formula 1, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Baja 1000 and the Bathurst 1000. 
Rossi is eager to join his new team and begin preparations for the 2025 season. 
“I’m honored that Ed (Carpenter) 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.”
Rasmussen’s performance in his rookie NTT INDYCAR SERIES season earned him the opportunity to continue with ECR in a full-time role. Rasmussen joined ECR in 2024 after winning three championships in four years, including the 2023 INDY NXT title. In his debut Indianapolis 500, he drove from 24th to 12th and was the highest finishing rookie in the field. While Carpenter was scheduled to drive the No. 20 in the final three oval races of 2024, he provided the seat to Rasmussen to continue his development. Though he had not driven a lap at the Milwaukee Mile prior, he finished just outside of the Top 10. At the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway, Rasmussen drove from 25th to 14th and secured a Leader’s Circle position for the No. 20. 
After a partial rookie year, Rasmussen is excited to race the full season next year. 
“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 (Rossi) to push the team forward and fight towards the front of the grid more consistently.” 
Carpenter will return to the driver’s seat in the team’s third entry for the 2025 Indianapolis 500, rounding out the team’s lineup. Additional announcements regarding the upcoming season will be made in due course. The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship will begin March 2, 2025 in the downtown Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
About Ed Carpenter Racing Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) first entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012. The Indianapolis-based race team has proven its versatility by collecting eight wins across each type of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals and speedways. ECR is led by IndyCar’s only team owner/driver, Ed Carpenter, three-time pole winner for the Indianapolis 500 (2013, 2014 and 2018). The 2025 season will see Carpenter compete in the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500. The 2025 season will see Alexander Rossi in the No. 20 Chevrolet as he joins the team alongside returning Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 Chevrolet. More information on Ed Carpenter Racing may be found at http://www.edcarpenterracing.com/.

Rasmussen to Compete in Final Three Oval Races for ECR

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From Ed Carpenter Racing:

 Ed Carpenter Racing announced today that Christian Rasmussen will finish the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season behind the wheel of the No. 20 GuyCare Chevrolet.
The 24-year-old Danish rookie will compete in this weekend’s doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile and the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway. 
While team owner Ed Carpenter was scheduled to drive in the remaining events this year, he found importance in providing an opportunity to Rasmussen.
“First off, this was a very difficult decision for me to make. I want to make it clear that this is not a retirement announcement,” stated Carpenter. “However, the reality is, I have not performed to the level that I expect of myself for the team. Christian tested at Gateway prior to the race and he showed me that he deserves this expanded opportunity. He also had such a strong performance during the Month of May and has earned the chance to continue his development. I am excited to watch him finish the season out strong for the No. 20 crew and the entire ECR team.”
Rasmussen’s final race of 2024 was set to be last weekend’s road course event at Portland International Raceway, but he will now compete in the last three races of the season. Rasmussen, the 2023 INDY NXT champion, won both short oval races on his way to the title last year. In addition to his duties this season as road and street course driver of the No. 20, he also competed in ECR’s third Indianapolis 500 entry. He earned the distinction of being the highest finishing rookie in the field, driving from 24th to 12th over the course of the 500-mile race. 
Rasmussen is grateful to Carpenter, his teammate and team owner.
 “First and foremost, I am incredibly thankful to Ed for providing me this opportunity,” Rasmussen said. “I am excited to drive the No. 20 in the remaining three races and I am fully committed to giving the team my absolute best. While I haven’t raced at Milwaukee or Nashville before, my past performances on ovals have been strong and I’m eager to add these tracks to the list!”
Though the Milwaukee Mile will be Rasmussen’s first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on a short oval, he recently completed a test day at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Rasmussen’s full-time teammate, Rinus VeeKay, will also be making his Milwaukee Mile debut as the track returns to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar for the first time since 2015. Nashville Superspeedway will also be a new venue for both as the 1.33-mile oval has not been on the schedule since 2008. 
On-track activity at the Milwaukee Mile will begin with over two hours of practice this coming Friday, August 30. Saturday, August 31 will begin with qualifying for both races with Lap 1 setting the starting field for Race 1 and Lap 2 determining the grid for Race 2. The first race of the Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile 250s will begin at 5 p.m. CT on Saturday and will stream exclusively on Peacock. The second race of the doubleheader will take place on Sunday, September 1 at 1:30 p.m. CT with coverage on USA Network. About Ed Carpenter RacingEd Carpenter Racing (ECR) first entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012. The Indianapolis-based race team has proven its versatility by collecting eight wins across each type of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals and speedways. ECR is led by IndyCar’s only team owner/driver, Ed Carpenter, three-time pole winner for the Indianapolis 500 (2013, 2014 and 2018). The team’s 2024 driver lineup has included a combination of Carpenter, rookie Christian Rasmussen and fifth-year veteran Rinus VeeKay. More information on Ed Carpenter Racing may be found at http://www.edcarpenterracing.com/. Custom 2019 ECR Logo.png
    

Rasmussen Joins ECR in Road /Street Role

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It’s great to have the 2023 Indy NXT champion in the Indycar field for 2024. The only negative I see is that he will sit out five of the final eight races, which are ovals This may cost him a chance at Rookie of the Year,

The team’s announcement:

Reigning INDY NXT Champion Joins ECR as Road and Street Course Driver of the No. 20 Chevrolet; Will Compete in Indianapolis 500 in ECR’s Third Entry

(INDIANAPOLIS) October 25, 2023  – Ed Carpenter Racing announced today that Christian Rasmussen will join the team as part of the team’s 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign. The 23-year-old Danish driver will compete in all road and street course events in the No. 20 Chevrolet and transition to ECR’s third entry for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Rasmussen’s ascension to North America’s premier open-wheel series comes on the heels of his recent 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone title, his third championship in the past four years.

“I am very excited to join Ed Carpenter Racing for the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season!” stated Rasmussen. “It is a dream come true and something I’ve been working towards for a long time now. I want to thank Ed Carpenter and Tim Broyles for the opportunity and I’m ready to get to work and show everyone what we can do!”

Rasmussen was only nine years old when he claimed his first karting championship in Denmark. He arrived in the United States in 2018 and began his road to INDYCAR the following year. He is only the second driver in history earn a championship in each open-wheel junior category that currently feeds the NTT INDYCAR SERIES – USF2000 (2020), USF Pro 2000 (2021) and INDY NXT (2023). This year’s title was the culmination of a dominant season that included five wins, eight podiums, 10 Top 5 finishes and 13 Top 10s in 14 races. By the season finale, he merely had to start the race to clinch the championship; instead, he led every lap and earned his fifth victory of the year.

Team owner Ed Carpenter continues to be an advocate for young talent with Rasmussen becoming the sixth INDY NXT champion to race an ECR Chevrolet. Carpenter commented, “Christian is a driver that has really stood out during his climb through the Road to Indy program and he showed his ability to be a real closer in the second half of his INDY NXT championship run.”

“He did an excellent job when we tested him at Barber Motorsports Park last month and showed that he is fully ready to take the next step into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. We are excited to add him to our lineup and we are anticipating a successful 2024 season!” Carpenter continued.

ECR is transitioning back to a model the team utilized for many years, splitting the No. 20 between the talents of two drivers. While rookie Rasmussen will compete in the 12 road and street course events, Carpenter will take over the No. 20 for the six oval races in his 22nd season. Both will be entered in the Indianapolis 500 alongside Rinus VeeKay, driver of the No. 21 Chevrolet. VeeKay, who is also 23, will be competing in his 5th NTT INDYCAR SERIES season and step into a veteran role as ECR’s senior full-time driver.

ECR President Tim Broyles stated, “Christian is someone we have had our eye on for quite a while. He has proven that he is qualified to be a part of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and we are pleased that Ed Carpenter Racing is able to provide him with this well-deserved opportunity.”

Since its inception in 2012, ECR has raced exclusively in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The team has shown its versatility by earning multiple wins across each style of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals and super speedways. ECR boasts 40 Top 5 results to date, 24 of which have been podium finishes. For 11 of the team’s 12 Indianapolis 500s, ECR has had at least one car qualify in the first three rows. An ECR Chevrolet has sat on the front row nine of those years, including three pole positions by Carpenter (2013, 2014 and 2018) and VeeKay’s second starting position this year.

Rasmussen has already been behind the wheel of an ECR Chevrolet, completing a successful day of testing with the team at Barber Motorsports Park in late September. His debut NTT INDYCAR SERIES season will consist of five street circuits, six road courses, one non-points paying exhibition event and the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Rasmussen’s 2024 campaign will begin with the season opener on March 10, 2024, in the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Champions Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Take Spotlight at Victory Lap Celebration ; Rasmussen Saluted for INDY NXT by Firestone Title

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INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023) – Alex Palou was honored for his second NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship during the Victory Lap Celebration on Sept. 21, the headline of an incomparable 2023 season for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Palou dominated this season to earn another title to join his 2021 championship for Chip Ganassi Racing. He won a series-high five races in the No. 10 The American Legion Honda, with a total of 10 podium finishes in 17 races. Palou finished eighth or better in all 17 races this season and became the first INDYCAR SERIES driver to clinch the championship at least one race early since Sebastien Bourdais in 2007.
Spanish driver Palou won the Astor Challenge Cup for the title by 78 points over teammate and six-time series champion Scott Dixon, earning the 15th INDYCAR SERIES championship for Chip Ganassi Racing and the organization’s third in the last four seasons.
Palou was one of six members of Chip Ganassi Racing to receive special honors at the ceremony, which took place at the Gallagher Pavilion at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Marcus Armstrong of New Zealand received the Rookie of the Year Award as the top-finishing first-year driver in the standings. Armstrong scored five top-10 finishes in just 12 starts in the No. 11 Ridgeline Lubricants Honda to surpass full-time rookie Agustin Canapino of Juncos Hollinger Racing by 34 points in the standings.
Team owner Chip Ganassi accepted the Championship Owner Award, and Palou’s chief mechanic, Ricky Davis, was presented the Pennzoil Chief Mechanic Award. Additional season honors for the Ganassi team included the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Team Manager award to Barry Wanser and Blair Julian.
The awards haul was a reward for a dominant year by Indianapolis-based Chip Ganassi Racing. The team achieved the unprecedented feat of taking the top two spots in the driver standings and winning the Rookie of the Year title in one season.
While Palou’s winning margin in the driver standings was the largest since 2016, the Manufacturers Award race came down to the final laps at the season finale Sept. 10 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Chevrolet edged Honda by just 16 points to win its second consecutive engine manufacturer title and eighth overall since it returned to the series in 2012.
Mark Stielow, General Motors director of motorsport competition engineering, accepted the award on behalf of the Chevrolet team.
A successful first season with a rebrand and Firestone sponsorship for INDYCAR’s development series also was recognized at the Victory Lap Celebration, as Christian Rasmussen of HMD Motorsports was honored as 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone champion.
Rasmussen won a series-high five of the 14 races this season in the No. 6 HMD Motorsports with DCR entry. He beat Andretti Autosport’s Hunter McElrea to the title by 65 points.
Danish driver Rasmussen’s HMD teammate, Nolan Siegel, was named INDY NXT by Firestone Rookie of the Year. Siegel, from Palo Alto, California, finished third in the series standings with two victories. 
 

Road to Indy Final Day Saw Title Hopes Slip Slidin’ Away

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Photo: Will Kyle Kirkwood find an Indycar ride for 2022?

David Malukas slim title hopes for the Indy Lights championship got a bit more life as he won the pole for Sunday’s final race of the season at Mid Ohio. The pole was only one of three things that needed to happen for him to take the crown from Kyle Kirkwood.

At turn 1 after the start, however, it was all over as Malukas overshot the turn and was in last place by turn 4. All Kirkwood had to do was finish the race in virtually any position. Kirkwood finished fifth.

Give Malukas credit. he did not give up. He worked his way through the field on a very slippery track to finish second. Kirkwood won the title by 13 points. Malukas had one of the best Road to Indy drives i have ever seen. it was right up there with Spencer Pigot at Sonoma, who was spun out on the first lap and came from last place to finish fifth, which is where he needed to be to win the championship. Linus Lundqvist won the race, and was third in the season standings. Lujndqvist and Malukas both plan to drive in Indycar in 2022.

Kyle Kirkwood

Kyle Kirkwood is the first driver to win the title on all three levels of the Road to Indy. In a twist of irony, he accomplished that feat on the day he lost a race at Mid Ohio for the first time. Kirkwood had won seven straight open wheel races at this track.

In a normal year, we would definitely see Kirkwood in Indycar next year, but where he drives next year is uncertain. I will have more about that later this week.

USF 2000- Running Out the Clock

Going first can have its disadvantages, and the USF 2000 Series had the worst race and qualifying conditions of the day. Qualifying was abandoned after the time time period ran out. The number of slideoffs and red flags didn’t allow for the guaranteed 20 minutes of green flag running. The grid was set using Saturday’s second fastest qualifying laps.

On lap 1 Josh green got past pole sitter Michael D’Orlando in turn 4 to take the lead. Green kept the position as numerous spins caused the race to run under caution most of the time. The race ended as the time limit expired.

Kiko Porto, Banco Daycoval/Petromega, DEForce Racing, Victory Lane Championship winner

Kiko Porto, the season champion, finished third. Porto will move to Indy Pro 2000 in 2022. It’s nice to see another brazilian driver moving up the ladder.

Indy Pro 2000- Improved Conditions Lead to Best Race of the Day

The final race of the day saw bits of sunshine on a rapidly improving track. It still wasn’t perfect, but the racing was the best of the day. Three lead changes among three driver made for a good event. James Roe won the race for his first victory of the year. He edged Emaan Ahmed by 0.1412 seconds at the line.

Christian Rasmussen claimed the season title just by starting the race. he will be a force in Indy Lights next year.

Christian Rasmussen

Points Leaders On the Verge of Road to Indy Titles

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One championship is over and the other two will be when the green flag begins the respective races tomorrow.

Yuven Sunaramoorthy (center) won the race, but Kiko Porto (right) won the season title. Photo from Road to Indy

Kiko Porto, 18, from Brazil, clinched the USF2000 title by finishing third in Race 1 today. Porto qualified fifth and moved t third after an early accident took out the drivers running second and third. Porto has a 45 point lead over Braden Eves, who finished fifth today.

Yuven Sundaramoothy won his fourth race of the year. He passed pole sitter Michael D’Orlando just before the yellow flag came out for the incident between Jace Denmark and Prescott Campbell . Sundaramoothy will finish third in the points.

The USF2000 race was the day’s final event, and it was the best race of the best race of the day. There was lots of passing and quite a bit side by side action in turns 5 and 6.

Christian Rasmussen’s crew cheers him on after winning. He celebrates on the podium. Photo from Road to Indy

Rasmussen Clinches Indy Pro 2000 Title with Win

Christian Rasmussen extended his narrow lead over Braden Eves by winning the Indy Pro 2000 Race 1. To officially claim the title, Rasmussen just needs to start tomorrow’s race.

Kyle Kirkwood gets his seventh checkered flag at Mid Ohio. Photo from Road to Indy

Kirkwood Keeps Mid Ohio Record Perfect

Kyle Kirkwood has never lost an open race at Mid Ohio. He started from pole today and built a six second lead over his nearest competitor, David Malukas. Kirkwood led the entire race. He has ane asy path to the championship- win the pole or if he doesn’t, just start the race.

Kirkwood’s win was his seventh straight at Mid Ohio and fourth straight in his late season run.

A Pleasant Day at the Track

Today was one of the most pleasant days I have ever spent at a race track. The weather was perfect, the races were fun to watch, and the crowd was sparse. It was nice not have to constantly rub elbows with other fans or stand in a long line for anything.

I don’t know if this how the Road to Indy plans to end their seasons from now on, but I hope this continues. After the intense grind of the Indycar season, it was refreshing for me just to watch kids race and not have much rooting interest. Kirkwood was the only driver I was cheering for.

The day was also a good way to get a look at who might be some future stars of Indycar.