From ECR:
| ECR’s No. 21 Chevrolet Will Be Piloted by INDYCAR Race Winner in 2027 and Beyond |
![]() | ![]() |
| (INDIANAPOLIS) June 4, 2026 – ECR announced today that Christian Rasmussen will remain the driver of the No. 21 Chevrolet for the 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season and beyond as part of a multi-year agreement. The 25-year-old joined ECR in 2024 and has spent the entirety of his Indy car career with the Indianapolis-based team. Rasmussen and ECR earned their first NTT INDYCAR SERIES win together at the Milwaukee Mile in 2025 and will continue to work toward more victories in the years to come. “I’m excited to extend my partnership with ECR for 2027 and beyond. I’ve enjoyed my time with the team so far and believe in the future of ECR,” said Rasmussen. “We have undergone a lot of changes over the last couple years, and it has been a privilege to witness them firsthand, and to play a part in them. I’m confident that together we will continue to take ECR to its fullest potential.” Rasmussen began racing at just five years old and claimed his first karting championship in his home country of Denmark. He arrived in the United States in 2018 and joined the Road to Indy the following year. He is only the second driver in history to earn a championship in each division that currently feeds the NTT INDYCAR SERIES — USF2000 (2020), USF Pro 2000 (2021), and INDY NXT (2023). Rasmussen’s first role with ECR in 2024 was road and street course driver of the No. 20 Chevrolet and the driver of the team’s third entry in the Indianapolis 500. He was the highest-finishing rookie in the 500-mile race and later competed in the No. 20 for the final three oval races of the season. His impressive rookie campaign led to him being named the full-time driver of the No. 21 Chevrolet beginning in 2025 as part of a multi-year agreement. Following a new contract extension, Rasmussen will now remain with ECR through 2027 and beyond. ECR Owner and Chairman Ted Gelov joined the team prior to the 2025 season and continues to guide the organization through a rejuvenated era, highlighted by Rasmussen’s Milwaukee victory. “Christian has shown incredible talent, dedication, and adaptability since joining ECR. Nothing has changed our minds in that regard. Seeing Christian and the entire ECR organization battle adversity and emerge strong has strengthened our belief in him and this team,” commented Gelov. “Extending our partnership with Christian ensures that we continue building momentum with a driver who understands our team’s vision and culture. The best is yet to come for Christian and ECR.” Ed Carpenter, ECR co-owner and CEO, is well-known for having an eye for talent developed in the ladder series and continues to be impressed with Rasmussen’s progression as an NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver. “We are very excited to finalize this extension with Christian. Maintaining continuity with our driver lineup is something we feel that is an important element for ECR to reach its full potential. We have watched Christian develop over the past two seasons and firmly believe that the future is bright for Christian and ECR,” stated Carpenter. He continued, “There are plenty of opportunities to make our mark in 2026 and we are confident that strong results are right in front of us. Christian really made a breakthrough last season at WWT Raceway before getting his first win at the Milwaukee Mile, so this weekend is a great opportunity to get back to victory lane.” Rasmussen is midway through his third season as an NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver and is poised to build on a strong sophomore campaign. Last season, Rasmussen established himself as a formidable opponent on ovals. After recording a sixth-place finish in his second Indianapolis 500, he earned his first career podium at WWT Raceway, driving through the entire field twice and finishing 3rd. One year after making his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES start on a short oval at the Milwaukee Mile, he earned his first career victory. Rasmussen picked up right where he left off on ovals to begin the 2026 season as he was the class of the field at Phoenix Raceway. He charged from 21st to the front of the field and led 69 laps. Late-race contact with another competitor pushed his car into the wall and caused heavy suspension damage, but Rasmussen skillfully held the lead until eight laps to go. “It is great to know that Christian will continue to be part of the ECR family for 2027 and beyond. Maintaining a cohesive driver lineup is an integral element of our future success,” said ECR Team President Tim Broyles. “We look forward to Christian having a strong second half of the season and continuing to build on the progress he has made. We believe his best days in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES are still ahead of him, and we are excited to continue that journey together.” Rasmussen will become one of the longest-tenured drivers in ECR’s 15-year history. The team has demonstrated its versatility by earning nine victories across each style of track the NTT INDYCAR SERIES competes on – street and road courses, short ovals and superspeedways. ECR has recorded 45 Top 5 results to date, 26 of which have been podium finishes. In this year’s Indianapolis 500, Alexander Rossi’s 2nd starting position marked the team’s 10th front row start in the past 14 years. ECR competed exclusively in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES through 2025; in 2026, the team joined with Cape Motorsports in INDY NXT and Jay Howard Driver Development in the USF Pro Championships to create a direct pathway to INDYCAR. Sunday night’s race at WWT Raceway caps a stretch of five weekends of on-track activity for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, including three races in a row. An action-packed two days includes practice and qualifying on Saturday, June 6, followed by a 260-lap race under the lights on Sunday, June 7. Coverage of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 begins at 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. local) on Sunday. |
| About ECR ECR (Ed Carpenter Racing) first entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012. The Indianapolis-based race team is led by owners Ted Gelov and Ed Carpenter and has proven its versatility by collecting wins across every type of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals, and speedways. For the 2026 season, Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi will return as driver of the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet, while new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner Christian Rasmussen remains in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet. Carpenter, a three-time pole winner of the Indianapolis 500 (2013, 2014, and 2018), will round out ECR’s three-car lineup for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. More information on ECR can be found at www.ecrindy.com. |


