Alexander Rossi, the 2016 Indy 500 champion and Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) driver, has revealed ongoing tension between the team’s current drivers and former members Conor Daly and Rinus Veekay, following a collision at the Grand Prix of Portland. Rossi discussed the issue while reflecting on an intense on-track clash involving his teammate Christian Rasmussen and Daly in the early stages of the 110-lap race.
During the race, Rasmussen, competing for Juncos Hollinger Racing, attempted an aggressive pass on Daly in Turn 7 but was blocked forcefully, leading to contact that pushed Daly off the track. Rasmussen tried again two laps later in Turn 10, where both drivers collided, sending Daly crashing into the barriers at high speed. Daly criticized Rasmussen’s move as inexcusable, but the remarks went unheeded amid the heated competition.
Rossi Addresses Lingering Discord Following Daly’s Departure from ECR
On the
“Off Track with Hinch and Rossi”
podcast, Rossi spoke openly about the unresolved friction between Daly and Ed Carpenter Racing after Daly left the team midway through the 2023 season. Rossi also mentioned Rinus Veekay, another former ECR driver, indicating they share similar strained relations with the organization.
“Here’s what I will say is reality, and it’s understandable, I guess. But Conor and Rinus both race Christian and I really hard, and it’s obvious,” Rossi said [32:00 onwards]. “So there is some unspoken tension that exists, and it’s even like during practice. Whenever you come out with one of those cars, you’re like, ‘Great…'” —Alexander Rossi, ECR driver
“I have nothing against Rinus or Conor, and they don’t have anything against me or Christian, but they both have something pretty severely against the organization. So the fact that this incident happened doesn’t really surprise me, just based on that.” —Alexander Rossi, ECR driver
Daly’s contract with ECR ended after seven races in 2023, concluding a fluctuating tenure of just over two years. During his time, Daly was often overshadowed by Veekay, who also parted ways with ECR following the 2024 season. Veekay soon secured a seat with Dale Coyne Racing less than a month ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Conor Daly Criticizes ECR Leadership After Portland Incident
Following the high-impact crash at Portland, Daly voiced harsh criticism of Ed Carpenter Racing’s management, accusing them of lacking respect for his safety and wellbeing. On his Speed Street podcast, he expressed deep frustration with the team’s upper management in strong terms.
“Honestly, this is going to sound really bad, but the upper management of that team, ECR, they probably were hoping that I would have been rolled out of that accident in a coffin. They definitely have no respect for me or my life or whatever.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
“Love the mechanics and all those guys on that team, my engineer Pete there is awesome. But the upper management there, I guarantee there’s like a hit on me. That’s a shame.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Daly had already voiced concerns in July about a decline in driving standards in IndyCar for the 2025 season, and the collision with Rasmussen only reinforced his worries about safety and competition fairness on the track.
Implications of the Conflict for IndyCar and ECR Team Dynamics
The revealed tensions between Conor Daly, Rinus Veekay, and Ed Carpenter Racing underline challenges within driver–team relationships, particularly when departures are acrimonious. Rossi’s remarks suggest that lingering disputes affect on-track behavior and interactions, creating an uneasy atmosphere during races and practices.
The dispute also raises questions about team management and driver support, with Daly’s accusations against ECR leadership highlighting potential fractures within the organization. Moving forward, how these tensions will influence race conduct, team cohesion, and driver performance remains to be seen, especially as new seasons develop with evolving driver lineups and rivalries.
