Dismissal in Ed Carpenter Racing Lawsuit Against Todd Ault
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Ed Carpenter Racing’s (ECR) lawsuit against former sponsor Todd Ault and his firm, VForward2 L.L.C. (VF2), has been dismissed by the Marion County Superior Court. This ruling, issued on October 29, stems from Ault’s motions to dismiss based on inadequate contractual grounds.
ECR had alleged a breach of sponsorship agreements that purportedly promised $10 million for the 2024 IndyCar Series season, to be paid in monthly installments of $1 million. However, the court found that the contracts in question were not valid, as they lacked required signatures.
Judge’s findings indicated that Ault’s alleged personal guarantee failed to meet Indiana’s Statute of Frauds’ signature requirement. The court stated, “Without a valid contractual basis, Plaintiff cannot establish that Defendant Ault has sufficient minimum contacts in Indiana.”
ECR’s claims included:
- Count I: Breach of the Personal Guarantee by Ault.
- Count II: Breach of the Agreement by VF2.
- Count III: Unjust Enrichment against both defendants.
The judge ruled that Ault’s lack of a valid contract precluded jurisdiction and dismissed the motions with prejudice, meaning ECR cannot refile the lawsuit. ECR was granted the option to appeal.
Ault’s involvement with ECR ended following the team’s shift to new sponsorship from Heartland Foods in 2025. He has since secured sponsorship deals with Dale Coyne Racing and Meyer Shank Racing.
Further comment from ECR regarding potential appeals is still pending.
