Written by Dan Jones
Christian Rasmussen will race in the last three rounds of the 2024 IndyCar season, at this weekend's Milwaukee Mile double-header and the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway, as he replaces his team owner-driver, Ed Carpenter.
Rasmussen's initial program only consisted of a road/street course schedule, in addition to a third entry in the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500, with oval veteran, Carpenter, racing in all oval events in the No.20, as he has done since 2014. However, with concerns over the team's position in the Leaders Circle growing, Carpenter has opted to hand over the keys to Rasmussen.
Carpenter stated: “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, 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.”
As mentioned by Carpenter, Rasmussen did a small-field test during the Olympic break at World Wide Technology Raceway, his first IndyCar oval experience outside of the Indianapolis 500. The Dane hugely impressed at the '500,' being the top-placed rookie, who was not afraid to make daring moves throughout the month.
Rasmussen continued: “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!”
Carpenter's decision to drop himself will be due to concerns over the team's position in the 'Leaders Circle,' the group of 22 cars that are awarded an extra $1 Million for their placement in the championship standings. The No.20 currently sits on the bubble, level with points with the No.78 Juncos Hollinger Racing, currently occupied by Conor Daly, but remains ahead due to the virtue of Rasmussen's ninth place finish at Mid-Ohio.
Daly, ironically, the driver that Carpenter dropped from the No.20 mid-way through last season, is known to be an oval expert, with the likes of Meyer Shank Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, Dale Coyne Racing and now Juncos Hollinger Racing now calling upon his services within the last twelve months.
The No.51 Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing car, expected to be driven by Katherine Legge is only eight points out of contention, and could also be a danger to the No.20 team.
Rasmussen has never driven at Milwaukee or Nashville, but won at Gateway in Indy NXT last season, as well as the short oval at Lucas Oil Raceway in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, and further impressed in his Indianapolis 500 debut. His job will be to lead the No.20 into the top 22 in the entrant standings by the conclusion of events at Nashville Superspeedway.
Comments