Driver Christian Rasmussen: Calmer but 'always ... butterflies' before Indy 500

Danish driver Christian Rasmussen is preparing for his second Indianapolis 500 start behind the wheel of the No. 21 Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing. 

The 24-year-old, the 2023 Indy NXT champion, finished 12th in his Indianapolis 500 debut in 2024 and hopes to build on that result in Sunday's race. But even with a year of experience under his belt, some things never change at Indianapolis, regardless of how much experience one has driving at the track. 

"I think there will always be butterflies when you're about to start the Indianapolis 500," Rasmussen said. "The month, as a whole [though], I've been a lot more calm. In a way this year, (I) kind of know what to expect a little bit more having been through it all one time before." 

"At least for me, I've been able to have a calmer approach." 

That calm approach will be of utmost importance during a race that can be more nerve-wracking for competitors as any other sporting event in the world. 

"I love racing around here," Rasmussen said of Indianapolis. "I think it's so cool. You can do stuff around here that you can't do anywhere else. Obviously, it's super special being here. Walking around Gasoline Alley with 350,000 people... that's a whole different story, but on the racetrack, I think it's the coolest event we do."

The Indianapolis 500 will be the sixth race of Rasmussen's first full-time season in the NTT IndyCar Series. Through the first five races of the 2025 season, Rasmussen is 17th of 27 full-time drivers in the IndyCar points standings, with a best finish of 12th at the Thermal Club on March 23.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.