Rinus VeeKay found himself in a bit of a pickle when he switched from Ed Carpenter’s team to Dale Coyne Racing in the IndyCar Series. He wasn’t exactly sure where his career was headed, especially since Coyne’s team didn’t do so hot in the standings last year. But hey, a job is a job, right?
Surprisingly, VeeKay managed to turn things around at Barber Motorsports Park, starting in fifth place and finishing in fourth. Not too shabby for a team that was at the bottom of the championship standings the previous year. VeeKay was pretty stoked about the whole thing, mentioning that racing against top contenders was a bit nerve-wracking for him, considering his lack of experience at the front of the pack.
The young Dutch driver credited his success to some strategic moves during the race, like staying out on the track a bit longer than others and saving fuel for a final push. And let’s not forget about his battle with Will Power – that must have been intense! VeeKay was thrilled to come out on top with a Dale Coyne Racing car, which he described as “incredible.”
Meeting his race engineer, Ed Nathmann, just two weeks before the season opener was definitely a curveball for VeeKay. But hey, they managed to qualify well in St. Petersburg and finish in ninth place, showing that they had some potential. The following races at Thermal and Long Beach were decent, with finishes in the middle of the pack. But this weekend’s top-five finish has put VeeKay and the No. 18 Honda in 12th place in the championship standings.
VeeKay highlighted the importance of his growing leadership role within the team. He mentioned that he’s starting to feel more comfortable voicing his opinions and pushing for what he believes in. The chemistry between him and the team seems to be developing nicely, allowing him to make strategic calls during the race – like staying out longer on the track – that paid off in the end.
Looking ahead, VeeKay is feeling confident about the upcoming races at the Indianapolis road course and the Indy 500, where he has performed well in the past. He’s excited about the new chapter in his career and the support he’s receiving from Honda. The young driver expressed his gratitude for the great drivability of the Honda car, which he had been curious about before making the switch from Chevy.
All in all, VeeKay’s unexpected journey with Dale Coyne Racing seems to be off to a promising start. With a strong finish at Barber Motorsports Park and a newfound sense of leadership within the team, the young Dutch driver is looking forward to more success in the upcoming races. Who knows what surprises await him next?
