Ed Carpenter Racing announced Oct. 25 that 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Christian Rasmussen will join the team as part of the team’s 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign.

Rasmussen, 23, from Denmark, 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 presented by Gainbridge. Rasmussen’s ascension to North America’s premier open-wheel series comes after the 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,” Rasmussen said. “It is a dream come true and something I’ve been working toward 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 9 when he claimed his first karting championship in Denmark. He arrived in the United States in 2018 and became only the second driver in history earn a championship in each division 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-five 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 by Firestone champion to race an ECR Chevrolet.

“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,” Carpenter said. “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.”

ECR is transitioning back to a model the team used 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, 23, will be competing in his 5th NTT INDYCAR SERIES season and step into a veteran role as ECR’s senior full-time driver.

“Christian is someone we have had our eye on for quite a while,” ECR President Tim Broyles said. “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.”