AVL RACETECH Strengthens Collaboration with Ed Carpenter Racing Through Advanced Vehicle Simulation Technologies

AVL RACETECH Strengthens Collaboration with Ed Carpenter Racing Through Advanced Vehicle Simulation Technologies

(IN BRIEF) AVL RACETECH and Ed Carpenter Racing have expanded their collaboration into an official technical partnership, with AVL becoming the team’s Official Dynamic Vehicle Simulation Partner in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The partnership centers on the use of AVL VSM™ RACE simulation software and cloud computing to improve vehicle setup development and race preparation. The advanced simulation tools allow Ed Carpenter Racing to evaluate performance strategies in a virtual environment, helping the team make better use of limited track testing opportunities. The agreement builds on cooperation that began in 2021 and is intended to strengthen the team’s engineering capabilities and competitiveness in one of the most technically demanding motorsport series.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRAZ, 25-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — AVL RACETECH has formalized an expanded technical partnership with the ECR INDYCAR Team, strengthening a collaboration that began in 2021. Under the new agreement, AVL RACETECH will serve as the team’s Official Dynamic Vehicle Simulation Partner, providing advanced simulation tools to support engineering and performance development in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

The enhanced cooperation enables Ed Carpenter Racing to integrate AVL’s vehicle dynamics simulation technologies more deeply into its engineering processes. Central to the partnership is the use of AVL VSM™ RACE, a fully dynamic vehicle simulation platform that allows engineers to evaluate and refine vehicle setups in a virtual environment ahead of race events. Using AVL’s cloud-based computing resources, the team can simulate extensive lap runs in a short period of time, allowing faster preparation despite the tight schedules and limited track testing opportunities typical of the INDYCAR championship.

The use of simulation technology allows ECR to validate setup concepts early and optimize performance before arriving at race circuits. This approach helps the team use available track time more effectively and concentrate on performance improvements rather than baseline testing.

Founded in Indianapolis, Ed Carpenter Racing entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012 and secured victory in its debut season finale. Since then, the team has achieved multiple race wins and competitive results, including several pole positions at the Indianapolis 500. For the 2026 season, the team’s lineup includes Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi driving the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet and Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet, with team owner Ed Carpenter scheduled to compete in the Indianapolis 500.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding open-wheel championships, featuring a diverse calendar that includes high-speed oval circuits, street races, and permanent road courses. Teams must adapt quickly to different track configurations, making simulation tools and data-driven development increasingly important.

Ed Carpenter, CEO of Ed Carpenter Racing, emphasized that the partnership will strengthen the team’s engineering capabilities and support continued innovation and performance improvement. Matt Barnes, Vice President of Competition at ECR, highlighted the value of access to advanced simulation technologies in improving engineering efficiency and on-track results.

Ellen Lohr, Director Motorsport at AVL List GmbH, noted that the partnership reflects the close cooperation between the two organizations and their shared objective of achieving measurable performance gains through advanced simulation technologies. Michael Peinsitt, Team Leader Racing at AVL List GmbH, explained that AVL VSM™ RACE provides a detailed simulation environment that supports data-driven setup validation and more efficient development processes.

AVL RACETECH provides engineering, testing, simulation, and manufacturing services to motorsport teams across a range of global racing series, including Formula 1, Formula E, NASCAR, the World Endurance Championship, and MotoGP.

About ECR (Ed Carpenter Racing)
ECR (Ed Carpenter Racing) first entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012. The Indianapolis-based race team is led by owners Ted Gelov and Ed Carpenter and has proven its versatility by collecting wins across every type of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals, and speedways. For the 2026 season, Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi will return as driver of the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet, while new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner Christian Rasmussen remains in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet. Carpenter, a three-time pole winner of the Indianapolis 500 (2013, 2014, and 2018), will round out ECR’s three-car lineup for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. More information on ECR can be found at www.ecrindy.com.

About AVL RACETECH
AVL RACETECH is AVL’s global motorsport expert, active in all technical areas of racing for over 20 years. AVL RACETECH works in engineering, testing, simulation, and manufacturing. As a key supplier to teams in the most prestigious racing series from Formula 1 to Formula E, NASCAR, WEC and MotoGP, AVL RACETECH provides cutting-edge technology and services to the motorsport world.

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SOURCE: AVL