Latest news with #EdCarpenterRacing
Indianapolis Star
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Ed Carpenter Racing building new race shop in Westfield's Grand Park as IndyCar trend continues
In what's become an ever-growing trend in the IndyCar world, Ed Carpenter Racing announced Tuesday its plans to build a larger headquarters, shifting its operations from the northwest side of Indianapolis to Grand Park in Westfield as part of the Grand Park District Master Plan that will situate the new ECR headquarters as part of the existing Grand Park Sports Campus. ECR will become the only IndyCar team located in Hamilton County. The new team shop will be located just south of the Grand Park Event Center on the west side of Grand Park Boulevard. The 76,000 square-foot facility will house ECR's racing operations and advanced engineering and technical development spaces and will also come with both a retail and fan engagement component, offering a public viewing space into the team's operations. The shop will also offer an on-site Java House cafe, incorporating the team's sister company even deeper into the ECR family, as well as the first city-funded parking garage in Grand Park. Just last fall, ECR announced the addition of co-owner Ted Gelov to the team's ownership group that already included its namesake Ed Carpenter, Tony George and Stuart Reed. Gelov is the owner of Heartland Food Products Group, which is also based in Hamilton County and boasts both the Splenda and Java House Coffee brands, among others. Since coming on, the addition of Gelov has brought not only an influx of funding to aid in building a deeper team, tackle research and development projects and hire series veteran Alexander Rossi, but the team has undergone a rebrand, with its cars sporting some of the few consumer-facing sponsors on the grid each weekend. 'Establishing ECR's permanent home at Grand Park is a defining moment for our organization,' Gelov said. 'This new headquarters will not only serve as the foundation for our racing operations and technical development, but also as a place where fans can truly connect with our team, our partners and the sport of IndyCar. As a long-time Hamilton County resident and business owner, I'm proud to invest in this community and help bring a new level of energy, innovation and opportunity to Westfield.' Added Carpenter: 'We are very excited about this project and how it will impact the growth of ECR into the future. The opportunity to build a world-class facility within Grand Park was something we could not pass up. The demographic of Grand Park and its annual visitors is not only a great opportunity for our team to reach new fans, but also a great opportunity for IndyCar itself as we continue to capitalize on the current momentum of our sport." ECR expects to break ground on the new project in early 2026, with its completion pegged for early 2027. The IndyCar paddock's "new shop rat race" kicked off in late 2020 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing announcing its ambitions to shift from its longtime headquarters in Brownsburg into a new facility in Zionsville. The team broke ground in May 2021, and RLL moved in following the 2022 season. In the several years since, Andretti Global has three times shifted gears on plans for a new shop, first breaking ground on the corner of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport in Fishers before those build plans were entirely redone over the ensuing 15 months. The team announced in March 2024 its refined vision on the space, but that new sprawling state-of-the-art headquarters will now be used by the Cadillac F1 team once its completed in early 2026. Within the last couple weeks, Andretti Global's IndyCar and Indy NXT teams have moved into the IndyStar's old Pulliam Production Center as it continues work on an extensive internal and external facelift of the shop space. Just over two years ago, Arrow McLaren purchased Andretti Global's longtime old shop, which it will gut, re-do and move into in the offseason ahead of the 2026 IndyCar season now that its old owners have vacated the building. In early 2022, Meyer Shank Racing shifted into a new race shop in its home of Pataskala, Ohio, just outside Columbus. And in this past offseason, IndyCar's newest team Prema Racing moved into a new shop in Fishers as it began racing in the U.S. full-time for the first time in the team's decades-long history. Also this past offseason, A.J. Foyt Racing merged its Texas-based and Speedway-based teams into one in the team's shop just a stone's throw away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Fox Sports
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Java House To Serve as Primary Sponsor of Laguna Seca Race
INDYCAR Java House, the innovative, Indianapolis-based cold brew coffee brand, has been named title sponsor of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES event this month at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Java House Grand Prix of Monterey, which will take place July 25-27 at the iconic road course, marks the only visit to Northern California for North America's premier open-wheel series. This is Java House's first event title sponsorship. 'We are delighted to welcome Java House as a sponsor for our INDYCAR event weekend,' said Mel Harder, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. 'Cars and coffee are a classic combination, and we're excited to share this fantastic coffee with our guests.' Race fans can enjoy samples of Java House's full line of beverages, including its Amazingly Smooth cold brew coffees, lattes, teas, hydration drinks and more, throughout the race weekend. Java House products also will be integrated throughout all hospitality areas, including premium luxury suites and club style pavilions. The fun won't stop at the track, as Java House Cold Brew Espresso Martinis will be served at select restaurants in the Monterey area leading up to and during the race. In addition to its support of the Monterey event, Java House serves as a primary sponsor on Alexander Rossi's No. 20 and Christian Rasmussen's No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) Chevrolets throughout the 2025 season. 'We are thrilled for Java House to become the title sponsor of the Grand Prix of Monterey,' said Ted Gelov, owner and CEO of Heartland Food Products Group. 'INDYCAR has been an outstanding platform to grow our brand and connect with a passionate fan base. This partnership continues our commitment to expanding Java House's presence on a national stage – with more big things to come in 2025 and beyond.' For more information or to purchase tickets for the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey, visit Learn more about Java House at
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Crashes at the 2025 Indianapolis 500: Kyle Larson, Scott McLaughlin, Rinus VeeKay and more
The 2025 Indianapolis 500 saw several crashes before the 109th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing was even halfway over. Here are all of the crashes from this year's race. More news: Amid Indy 500 crashes, watch Indycar drivers reactions to falling out of the race Kyle Larson, Sting Ray Robb out of the race after a crash on Lap 91 Kyle Larson, who is attempting to run both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, spun out in Turn 2 on a Lap 91 restart, collecting Sting Ray Robb and knocking both out of the race. Arrow McLaren driver Kyle Larson (17) crashes Sunday, May 25, 2025, during the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Pole-setter Robert Shwartzman crashes during pitstop Prema Racing's Robert Shwartzman, a rookie driver who was on pole, slammed into some of his pit crew and the inside wall on a Lap 86 pit stop. Shwartzman blamed cold tires for the crash. Advertisement "As soon as I touched my breaks, my car just go," he said. PREMA Racing driver Robert Shwartzman (83) prepares to put on his helmet Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rinus VeeKay crashes on pit road during Lap 80 Dale Coyne Racing's Rinus VeeKay spun out of control entering pit road and hit the inside pit wall. After impact, VeeKay got the car pointed in the correct direction and drove his car to his pit stall. Dale Coyne Racing driver Rinus VeeKay (18) stands on the track Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Alexander Rossi's day is over after car catches on fire Alexander Rossi, a driver for Ed Carpenter Racing, was getting a tire change when his car burst into flames. "That's what is so painful about this place. You have to do everything right," Rossi said. One of Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alexander Rossi's (20) crew members is sprayed with a fire retardant after helping extinguish a fire in Rossi's car Sunday, May 25, 2025, during the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Marco Andretti crashes on Lap 4 Marco Andretti, who races for Andretti Global, was knocked out due to a multi-car collision on Lap 4. Advertisement 'I'm fine, just bummed. I wait all year for this and to have it end that early is as frustrating that it gets. If I had a crystal ball, I just would've waited, but it's not really in my nature to do that,' Andretti said. 'I had a really good start going and just got crowded at the top. I couldn't move up anymore and got shoved into the wall.' Andretti Herta with Marco & Curb-Agajanian driver Marco Andretti (98) spins and hits the wall Sunday, May 25, 2025, during the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Scott McLaughlin crashes on parade lap Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin's race ended before it began. McLaughlin crashed on a warm-up lap before the race started. The race started under caution because of the crash. 'I have no idea what happened. I just lost it,' McLaughlin told reporters outside of the IU emergency medical center. 'I don't know whether there was a little bit of moisture, I don't know. Something happened and I'm just really sorry to my fans (and) my team that built me two fantastic cars with a lot of hope today. By far, worst moment of my life. Advertisement 'This is everything to us and I didn't even see the green flag, so heart is broken in a million pieces right now.' Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin (3) reacts after spinning out in the first turn on a pace lap Sunday, May 25, 2025, during the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy 500 crashes: Kyle Larson, Marco Andretti, Rinus VeeKay and more
San Francisco Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
Indy 500 rookie Robert Shwartzman crashes into crew members on pit road, ending his improbable run
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis 500 rookie Robert Shwartzman's memorable month of May ended with a terrifying crash on pit road. Shwartzman, who bested some of the best drivers in the world to win the pole a week earlier, was coming into his stall after 87 laps when he locked up his brakes. That sent his red, green and white car — the colors of the flag of Italy, where Prema Racing is based — sliding into four of his crew members, one of whom had to be taken away on a stretcher. The damage caused by the wreck was enough to end their hopes of finishing 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' 'I honestly felt really strange brakes when I was coming slow in pit lane. I locked up both front tires, which usually isn't the case,' Shwartzman said. "I wasn't sure if it was the brakes or because the tires were cold. I tried to be very slow. But as soon as I touched my brakes, my whole front was lost and I went right into the guys. 'It was really scary,' Shwartzman said, 'because at the moment I braked I was just a passenger.' Shwartzman was among many drivers — rookies and veterans alike — who had massive problems on pit lane during the race, which was won by Alex Palou following a late-race pass of Marcus Ericsson for the lead. Alexander Rossi's day ended when a fire broke out under his car. Rinus Veekay lost his brakes as he entered pit road, sending him in a spin down the narrow lane. Colton Herta was caught speeding and had to absorb a drive-through penalty. But none of the problems was quite as dramatic as the rookie with dual Israeli and Russian nationality. Shwartzman had captured the public's imagination with his stunning pole-winning ride for Prema Racing, a powerful European team but an Indy 500 newcomer. He was the first rookie to win the pole since 1983, then used the platform that it afforded him to make a passionate plea for peace in both the Middle East and Ukraine. 'It's just really sad,' Shwartzman said, 'because we did such good work in qualifying. But it's the Indy 500. Anything can happen. A lot of strong drivers are out of the race or behind. This is the Indy 500. This happens.' Oh-so close, again Pato O'Ward came up just short once again in the Indy 500, a race that he acknowledged keeps breaking his heart. The popular Mexican driver, who has twice finished second, wound up fourth behind Palou, Ericsson and David Malukas. He was in contention after the final round of pit stops, but he couldn't make any passes to pick up any positions. It was the fifth time in his six tries that O'Ward finished sixth or better. That includes another fourth-place finish in 2021. Up in flames Rossi led laps early and had a fast car for Ed Carpenter Racing until a pit stop 73 laps into the race, when fire erupted under the No. 20 car. It quickly engulfed the 2016 race winner and his fueler, who were quickly doused by emergency crews. The fire briefly spread to the other side of the pit wall, where the large fuel tanks are kept, but was quickly extinguished. 'It's always a terrible situation, and it's so disappointing. It was such a phenomenal race car,' Rossi said. 'It's disappointing. All I know is the gearbox was starting to go up in temp a lot. I don't know. It was a gearbox issue.' Hopes stall out Ryan Hunter-Reay had positioned himself for an improbable run at a second Indianapolis 500 win when he pit from the lead with 31 laps remaining, only to stall the car in his box. The team was unable to quickly fire it and his chances were done. Hunter-Reay, who won the 2014 race, was in a backup car after his primary car caught fire during the final practice of Carb Day on Friday. He made it back to pit lane but had to quickly escape the car, which sustained too much damage to repair. ___
Hamilton Spectator
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Indy 500 rookie Robert Shwartzman crashes into crew members on pit road, ending his improbable run
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis 500 rookie Robert Shwartzman's memorable month of May ended with a terrifying crash on pit road. Shwartzman, who bested some of the best drivers in the world to win the pole a week earlier, was coming into his stall after 87 laps when he locked up his brakes. That sent his red, green and white car — the colors of the flag of Italy, where Prema Racing is based — sliding into four of his crew members, one of whom had to be taken away on a stretcher. The damage caused by the wreck was enough to end their hopes of finishing 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' 'I honestly felt really strange brakes when I was coming slow in pit lane. I locked up both front tires, which usually isn't the case,' Shwartzman said. 'I wasn't sure if it was the brakes or because the tires were cold. I tried to be very slow. But as soon as I touched my brakes, my whole front was lost and I went right into the guys. 'It was really scary,' Shwartzman said, 'because at the moment I braked I was just a passenger.' Shwartzman was among many drivers — rookies and veterans alike — who had massive problems on pit lane during the race, which was won by Alex Palou following a late-race pass of Marcus Ericsson for the lead. Alexander Rossi's day ended when a fire broke out under his car. Rinus Veekay lost his brakes as he entered pit road, sending him in a spin down the narrow lane. Colton Herta was caught speeding and had to absorb a drive-through penalty. But none of the problems was quite as dramatic as the rookie with dual Israeli and Russian nationality. Shwartzman had captured the public's imagination with his stunning pole-winning ride for Prema Racing, a powerful European team but an Indy 500 newcomer. He was the first rookie to win the pole since 1983, then used the platform that it afforded him to make a passionate plea for peace in both the Middle East and Ukraine. 'It's just really sad,' Shwartzman said, 'because we did such good work in qualifying. But it's the Indy 500. Anything can happen. A lot of strong drivers are out of the race or behind. This is the Indy 500. This happens.' Oh-so close, again Pato O'Ward came up just short once again in the Indy 500, a race that he acknowledged keeps breaking his heart. The popular Mexican driver, who has twice finished second, wound up fourth behind Palou, Ericsson and David Malukas. He was in contention after the final round of pit stops, but he couldn't make any passes to pick up any positions. It was the fifth time in his six tries that O'Ward finished sixth or better. That includes another fourth-place finish in 2021. Up in flames Rossi led laps early and had a fast car for Ed Carpenter Racing until a pit stop 73 laps into the race, when fire erupted under the No. 20 car. It quickly engulfed the 2016 race winner and his fueler, who were quickly doused by emergency crews. The fire briefly spread to the other side of the pit wall, where the large fuel tanks are kept, but was quickly extinguished. 'It's always a terrible situation, and it's so disappointing. It was such a phenomenal race car,' Rossi said. 'It's disappointing. All I know is the gearbox was starting to go up in temp a lot. I don't know. It was a gearbox issue.' Hopes stall out Ryan Hunter-Reay had positioned himself for an improbable run at a second Indianapolis 500 win when he pit from the lead with 31 laps remaining, only to stall the car in his box. The team was unable to quickly fire it and his chances were done. Hunter-Reay, who won the 2014 race, was in a backup car after his primary car caught fire during the final practice of Carb Day on Friday. He made it back to pit lane but had to quickly escape the car, which sustained too much damage to repair. Hunter-Reay had a chance to do install laps early Saturday, but the race was the first time the backup had been up to speed. ___ AP auto racing:
