NTT INDYCAR Series race winner Christian Rasmussen will trade his No. 21 Chevrolet INDYCAR for a dirt USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget this Thanksgiving weekend.

Rasmussen will compete in the 85th Annual ARP Turkey Night Grand Prix at southern California’s Ventura Raceway Saturday, November 28.

The 26-year-old Copenhagen, Denmark native will drive a Spike chassis fielded by car owner Johnny Cofer. With support from the Agajanian family, the car will emulate the iconic 1952 Agajanian Special paint scheme driven to victory at the Indianapolis 500 by Troy Ruttman.

Rasmussen pilots the No. 21 Chevrolet for ECR in the NTT INDYCAR Series, where he competes full-time. He claimed his first career INDYCAR win at the Milwaukee Mile in 2025.

“I’m excited to try something that is completely out of my wheelhouse,” said Rasmussen. “But most of all, I’m excited to get to work with Johnny Cofer and Dan Esslinger. It’s an honor to run the 1952 Agajanian Special paint scheme, and it couldn’t be at a more fitting event.”

The entry also marks the reunion of both Johnny Cofer and Dan Esslinger, as Cofer won the 1994 USAC Western States Midget championship with Esslinger as team owner.

“I want to thank ECR for the opportunity to work with Christian,” Cofer stated. “He’s an incredibly special talent. It’s been so special to work with my daughter, Maria, on this entry, and I’m fired up to go racing again with Dan Esslinger. Tapping into his brilliant mind will make this even more exciting. Having the whole family back together again means a great deal to all of us.”

Now, the pairing of Cofer and Esslinger is back together to put Rasmussen in the seat. The Cofer and Esslinger names have been part of West Coast midget racing for more than three decades.

“To be able to go racing with Johnny Cofer again is like a dream come true for me,” added Esslinger. “To add Maria Cofer and Christian Rasmussen together with my whole family is really something special. I only wish my dad was still here to see it. For now, this is just a one race deal. But stay tuned, this could get interesting.”

Rasmussen is the second driver in history to win a championship at every level of the ladder to the NTT INDYCAR Series. He won the USF2000 title in 2020, the Indy Pro 2000 title in 2021 and the INDY NXT by Firestone title in 2023. He won his first INDYCAR race on Aug. 24, 2025, at the Milwaukee Mile. He is known as one of the series’ strongest oval racers. Rasmussen also won the LMP2 class at the 2024 Rolex 24 At Daytona with Era Motorsport.

Practice for the Turkey Night Grand Prix is on Friday, November 27th. Qualifying and heat races, along with the 98-lap Turkey Night Grand Prix main event follows on Saturday, November 28th. The race is the season finale of the USAC National Midget Championship season.

The Turkey Night Grand Prix has been a holiday tradition since 1934. It is considered the third-longest-running race in the United States, behind only the Indianapolis 500 and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

Event Information

• Event: 85th Annual Turkey Night Grand Prix (USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship)

• Venue: Ventura Raceway, Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, California 93001

• Friday, Nov. 27: Practice

• Saturday, Nov. 28: Qualifying, and Heat Races along with 85th Turkey Night Grand Prix Main Event

• Car: No. 98 Agajanian Special, Cofer/Esslinger Spike short-arm chassis, SR-11 engine

• How to watch: Live on FloRacing

• Follow Christian: Instagram @christian_rasmussen_ | X @ChristianR_DK | christianrasmussen.com

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