Alexander Rossi, driver for Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) and 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner, has shed light on an ongoing, unspoken tension between the team‘s current drivers and their ex-members, Conor Daly and Rinus Veekay. Rossi spoke out following an on-track incident between ECR’s Christian Rasmussen and Daly during the GP of Portland, which highlighted these strained relationships.
Early in the 110-lap race at Portland, Rasmussen tried overtaking Daly in Turn 7 but was met with forceful resistance, resulting in contact that pushed Daly off the racing line. The jockeying resumed two laps later at Turn 10, where repeated contact sent Daly crashing high-speed into the barriers. Daly, pilot of the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing car, openly criticized Rasmussen’s aggressive move, calling it inexcusable, but his complaints went unheeded.
Insights on the On-Track Clash and Historical Friction
In a recent episode of his Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast, Alexander Rossi elaborated on the tension between Daly and ECR, which persisted even after Daly’s departure midway through the 2023 season. Rossi included Rinus Veekay, another former ECR driver, as part of this unresolved discord.
“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, Ed Carpenter Racing 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, Ed Carpenter Racing driver
Conor Daly ended his association with ECR after seven races in the 2023 season, concluding a sporadic two-and-a-half-year tenure. During that time, he was consistently outperformed by teammate Rinus Veekay, who also lost his ECR seat following the 2024 season. Veekay was later signed by Dale Coyne Racing shortly before the start of the 2025 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/motorsports/indycar/”>IndyCar season, providing him a fresh opportunity.
Conor Daly Accuses ECR Management of Disregard After Portland Incident
Following his harrowing crash at the Portland Grand Prix, where Daly collided with the barriers at speeds exceeding 150 mph, the driver publicly expressed deep grievances against Ed Carpenter Racing’s senior leadership. Daly detailed his experience and frustrations on his Speed Street podcast, confronting the attitude he perceives from the team’s upper management.
“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
While Daly praised the crew and his engineer Pete, he made it clear that he harbors resentment toward the higher-ups, believing their lack of support contributed to the ongoing conflict. This incident has only reinforced Daly’s earlier comments from July 2025, when he criticized the declining driving standards in IndyCar, now backed by real consequences seen on track.
Implications of the Dallas-Portland Conflict and Future Outlook for ECR and Its Drivers
The Portland crash and ongoing tensions between Conor Daly and Ed Carpenter Racing reveal fractures within the team’s driver lineup that could affect dynamics in future races. With Daly publicly confronting management and teammates competing aggressively due to unresolved grudges, the situation poses challenges for team cohesion and performance.
For ECR, addressing these internal conflicts is crucial to maintaining a unified garage, especially as former drivers like Daly and Veekay continue to influence racing rivalries. Meanwhile, Daly’s candid remarks highlight broader concerns about safety and respect in the sport, potentially prompting discussions around driver welfare and team culture.
As the 2025 IndyCar season progresses, the team’s ability to manage these strained relationships will likely impact their competitive future, while the drivers involved must also grapple with balancing personal grievances against professional goals.