Christian Rasmussen, Alexander Rossi Star in New Commercial for U.S. Grown Splenda Stevia; ECR Entries will Feature Patriotic Elements
(WASHINGTON) August 19, 2026 – As the NTT INDYCAR SERIES takes center stage at this weekend’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., ECR will use the national spotlight to highlight U.S. Grown Splenda Stevia. ECR drivers Christian Rasmussen and Alexander Rossi will compete in updated patriotic liveries with prominent Splenda Stevia branding, as well as star in a new Splenda Stevia commercial that will debut during the race on Sunday. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. is a first-of-its-kind event set against the backdrop of some of America’s most historic landmarks, including the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol, as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations – and what better opportunity to highlight Splenda’s commitment to U.S. farming and agriculture than a race built to celebrate America itself.
Splenda Stevia is part of the Heartland Food Products Group family of brands, the Indianapolis-based company that owns Splenda, Equal, SlimFast and Java House. Investing in America is core to Heartland’s values, and Heartland is the only major sweetener brand to manufacture its products domestically. While most stevia is imported and repackaged, Splenda owns the first-ever fully integrated stevia farm in the United States, proudly grown in Florida and packaged in Indianapolis, Ind.
“The Freedom 250 is a great race to celebrate America, American agriculture and brands like Splenda that are investing in farming and producing here at home,” stated Ted Gelov, owner of ECR and founder and CEO of Heartland Food Products Group. “Heartland has made domestic stevia production a key part of our business, pioneering stevia farming in the United States and operating our own farms in Central Florida. Splenda Stevia is grown in America, offering consumers an alternative way to reduce sugar while confidently knowing where our great tasting stevia comes from.”
A highlight of the weekend for ECR and Splenda will be the debut of a new Splenda Stevia commercial starring Rasmussen and Rossi. Filmed on location during the drivers’ recent visit to Splenda’s stevia farm in Florida, the spot brings to life a humorous take on a well-known moment in American history. The commercial will debut during FOX’s broadcast of the Freedom 250 on Sunday, Aug. 23, and will be available for viewing online at Splenda.com afterward.
ECR is currently celebrating its 15th season of NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition. The team has demonstrated its versatility by earning nine victories across each style of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals and superspeedways. ECR’s two liveries will take on an updated look for this weekend’s 250-mile street race. Both Rasmussen’s No. 21 Splenda Stevia Chevrolet and Rossi’s No. 20 Java House Chevrolet will incorporate patriotic American flag elements throughout their liveries. Additionally, Rossi’s traditional Java House paint scheme will evolve to incorporate Splenda Stevia green.
Rasmussen, from Denmark, has spent his entire NTT INDYCAR SERIES career with ECR and joined the ranks of race winners when he earned his first career victory at the Milwaukee Mile at the close of last season. “Racing in the streets of Washington, D.C., is something none of us have ever done before, so this is going to be a very special weekend,” Rasmussen said. “I’m proud to carry the Splenda Stevia colors for a race this important to ECR and INDYCAR and to be able to share the story behind Splenda Stevia. I’m looking forward to getting on track and putting on a great show for the fans in D.C.”
Rossi is an eight-time winner in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, highlighted by his victory in the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016. The Nevada City, California, native was the first American rookie to win the race since 1928. “There is nothing that compares to being a part of an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Racing in the shadow of the Capitol and the Washington Monument as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary makes this a huge honor to be part of,” Rossi said. “Representing American brands like Java House, SlimFast and Splenda Stevia makes being part of a historic weekend like this even more meaningful.”
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be a free, two-day event for more than 100,000 spectators. The circuit features seven turns along 1.7 miles of downtown Washington, D.C. streets, including a front stretch on Pennsylvania Avenue. Rasmussen and Rossi will take part in two practice sessions Saturday, August 22, before qualifying that evening. Sunday, August 23, will begin with a morning warm-up session before the pre-race show begins on FOX at 11:30 a.m. ET. The 250-mile Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., will broadcast live on FOX beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
