Christian Rasmussen delivered a stunning performance to claim his first-ever IndyCar win during the Milwaukee Mile 250 race. The Danish driver, starting from ninth position, overtook Alex Palou in the final stages to take the lead and secure the victory.
Palou began the race from pole position, but the lead soon shifted to David Malukas. The event, scheduled for 250 laps, saw challenging weather conditions with rain falling despite clear skies over the track. This added complexity to the race dynamics, with several caution periods disrupting the flow.
Strategic Moves and Tire Choices Define the Race Outcome
The multiple caution flags forced the race leaders to stay on older tires, making them vulnerable to a fast-charging Rasmussen. The Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) driver swiftly passed the Team Penske cars and focused on denying Palou a ninth victory of the 2025 season. Eventually, Rasmussen overtook the Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) driver to lead the race.
After securing the lead, Rasmussen had to navigate through slower cars before crossing the finish line first, marking a maiden win for both him and ECR. This win represented the seventh for Ed Carpenter Racing since the team‘s start in 2011. Celebrating his triumph, the 25-year-old driver performed donuts on the circuit before heading to victory lane.
Ed Carpenter Racing Celebrates Breaking a Four-Year Win Drought
This victory ended a four-year wait for Ed Carpenter Racing to return to the top step of the podium, the last win dating back to the 2021 IMS road course with Rinus VeeKay. Team owner Ed Carpenter praised Rasmussen’s skill and timing during a post-race FOX Sports interview:
“I knew this was coming for Christian [Rasmussen]. He’s the best there is right now on short ovals, he has shown all season long. That yellow played to his hand and he did an amazing job, taking advantage of his new tires and Chevy power.”
—Ed Carpenter, Team Owner
Rasmussen himself expressed his excitement after the race during the FOX Sports broadcast:
“Well, our ovals have been pretty good this year, so if it doesn’t last, I don’t know. But, today was amazing. We were talking about before the race, that if there’s a late caution then we want to go on new tires because it’s just such an advantage. So, there were more people that did it than I thought there would at the last stint, but it was definitely the right choice.”
—Christian Rasmussen, Driver
“I mean, we were so good on new tires even compared to other cars on new tires, so that’s a good day, it’s a good Sunday,” he added.
—Christian Rasmussen, Driver
Team Camaraderie and Rising Competition in the 2025 Season
Following the victory, Rasmussen’s teammate, Alexander Rossi, was seen congratulating him, reflecting strong team spirit within Ed Carpenter Racing. Rasmussen’s success also added variety to the 2025 season, making him the sixth different winner after the first nine race weekends, which had been mainly dominated by just two drivers.
Impact and Outlook for Rasmussen and Ed Carpenter Racing
Christian Rasmussen’s triumph at the Milwaukee Mile signals a welcome breakthrough for both the driver and the Ed Carpenter Racing team, ending their extended absence from the winner’s circle. Rasmussen’s skill on short oval tracks and effective strategy could influence upcoming races, potentially shaking up the current competitive balance in IndyCar. This victory not only boosts Rasmussen’s confidence but also highlights ECR’s growing competitiveness within the series.
