ECR (Ed Carpenter Racing) announced Oct. 24 a partnership with Cape Motorsports to join the INDY NXT by Firestone field with two cars in 2026.

Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR will field two entries in INDY NXT, the INDYCAR development series. The teams will collaborate to provide technical support, testing opportunities for emerging drivers and career development for engineers and mechanics. The INDY NXT entries will carry ECR’s team colors of Carpenter Blue and Indiana Gold, mirroring ECR’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES Chevrolets.

ECR will partner with Jay Howard Driver Development in the USF Pro Championships (USF Juniors, USF2000, and USF Pro 2000). The new ladder of Jay Howard Driver Development, Cape Motorsports and ECR establishes a direct pathway to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

“I’m very excited to bring these highly successful programs together to create a complete development path through the entire open-wheel ladder system,” Carpenter stated.

“As ECR continues to grow and work toward becoming a championship-caliber team, this is an important step forward. This partnership should not only strengthen ECR but also Cape Motorsports and JHDD. I’m looking forward to being involved and working with all of the programs and drivers in 2026 and beyond.”

ECR’s entry into INDY NXT is a natural progression for the team. Although ECR has competed exclusively in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012, the team has long maintained an eye for talent developed in the ladder series. ECR cars have been driven by three USF2000 champions, four USF Pro 2000 champions and six INDY NXT champions.

The team’s most recent race winner, Christian Rasmussen, is one of only two drivers in history to earn a championship in USF2000 (2020), USF Pro 2000 (2021) and INDY NXT (2023). ECR team owner Ed Carpenter is a graduate of INDY NXT, having competed in the series in 2002 and 2003.

Cape Motorsports, based in Brownsburg, Indiana, was founded in 2001 by brothers Dominic and Nicholas Cape in 2001. The team has competed in numerous levels of U.S. junior open-wheel series since its founding and has won 14 USF2000 titles in 21 years.

Nikita Johnson, 17, was named in late September as the first driver for the team now known as Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR. The second driver will be named later.

“Partnering with ECR and Jay Howard Driver Development is an incredibly exciting step for Cape Motorsports,” said Dominic and Nicholas Cape, co-owners of Cape Motorsports. “This collaboration brings together three organizations that share the same passion for discovering and shaping young talent. From karting to INDYCAR, we’re building a pathway that gives drivers every opportunity to grow, learn and ultimately succeed at the highest level.

“For us, it’s about more than just racing, it’s about building the next generation of champions.”

The first Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entry will be on track Monday, Oct. 27 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course during the annual Chris Griffis Memorial Test.

The first race of the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season is Sunday, March 1 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.