A Historic Win for Ed Carpenter Racing
Christian Rasmussen’s victory at the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 marked a significant milestone in his career and for Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR). The Dane, driving the No. 21 Chevrolet, celebrated his first NTT IndyCar Series win with a mix of pride and relief. As he stepped out of his car, the first person to greet him was his teammate Alexander Rossi, highlighting a rare moment of shared success for the team.
This win came after a challenging 2025 season for ECR, which had faced mixed results and struggled to find consistent performance. However, the Milwaukee race proved to be a turning point. For Rasmussen, it was a long-awaited breakthrough, while for Rossi, it was a reminder of the potential that still exists within the organization.
“Your first-career win is a moment you’ll obviously never forget,” Rossi said after the race. “It’s huge for your career, and he’s been so good on the ovals this year. It’s been a long time coming for ECR as well. It’s been a tough couple of years for them. … It’s never an easy road and there’s a lot of work still in front of us. But it’s just an amazing accomplishment for the organization today.”
A New Era for ECR
Ed Carpenter Racing entered 2025 with high expectations, but the transition wasn’t without its challenges. The team brought in Alexander Rossi, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 2018 championship runner-up, to replace Rinus VeeKay. However, Rossi arrived at ECR with only one win in the previous five seasons and the team had managed just one podium finish in the three years prior.
Despite these challenges, Rossi remained optimistic about the team’s potential. In January, he told IndyCar.com that while the organization wouldn’t suddenly become a winning machine, there were opportunities to surprise people. That prediction proved true at the Milwaukee Mile, where both ECR drivers finished in the top four.
Rasmussen, who joined ECR in 2024 as a road-and-street course specialist, had initially been expected to avoid ovals outside of the Indianapolis 500. However, after Ed Carpenter stepped away from the cockpit in August 2024, Rasmussen quickly became one of the top short oval drivers in the series.
Strategic Moves Lead to Success
The race strategy played a crucial role in Rasmussen’s victory. Rossi led the majority of the race, moving up from 12th to the top five through aggressive pit stops. However, a brief rain shower allowed both drivers to pit for fresh tires, setting up a final 28-lap stretch that Rasmussen used to his advantage.
While Rossi finished fourth, Rasmussen surged from sixth to first, securing the win. Although Rossi expressed some frustration over his lack of pace in the final stages, he acknowledged that the decision to pit was the right one.
“We saved tires through practice for that scenario,” Rossi said. “I just wish we were able to be a little bit stronger on that restart. Got caught up fighting Pato (O’Ward) a little bit. It is what it is. I mean, it still was the right call, obviously. It won the race.”
Building Momentum for the Future
Despite not winning, Rossi was pleased with the result and the progress the team has made. Both drivers have shown flashes of promise throughout the season, with Rossi earning a second-straight top-five finish and Rasmussen securing a third-place finish earlier in the year.
For the first time in 2025, both ECR drivers finished in the top five, marking a significant achievement for the team. The Milwaukee result provided a much-needed boost and offered a foundation to build upon for the remainder of the season.
“There was a lot of missed opportunities this year,” Rossi admitted. “There’s been some really good moments and really disappointing moments, but ultimately I think we knew that, especially on the ovals, the pace was in the car. We showed that today.”
As the 2025 season winds down, the success of Rasmussen and Rossi serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of Ed Carpenter Racing. With more races ahead, the team will continue to push for greater achievements and prove that their hard work is paying off.