Rinus van Kalmthout’s endurance and efforts behind the scenes have been rewarded: the 24-year-old Dutchman has locked in a sixth season within the IndyCar Collection with Dale Coyne Racing. It has been an unsure few months for the person higher referred to as Rinus VeeKay, after former employer Ed Carpenter Racing launched the driving force, signing Alexander Rossi in his place. After 5 years of service, VeeKay was, in his personal phrases, “thrown within the rubbish.”
In addition to the way, the timing additionally proved unlucky. The information about van Kalmthout’s contract slipped out in late September, in the course of the Singapore System One Grand Prix, and put strain on the driving force to discover a new house as a result of most IndyCar groups had already locked of their 2025 lineups by then. Juncos, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Dayle Coyne had been, on paper, the one, remaining choices.
After RLL accomplished it driver lineup and Juncos finalized offers with VeeKay’s former teammate Conor Daly and Sting Ray Robb, the one choice left was Dale Coyne. VeeKay accomplished an oval take a look at at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, after which talks concerning the seat within the #18 automotive continued. With solely a bit of greater than two weeks earlier than the IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg, VeeKay’s contract with Dale Coyne was finalized.
Completely different group, totally different engine
“I’m very completely satisfied to be assured of a sixth season on this great class. After an unsure begin to my winter break, I’m grateful to have the ability to finish it on this stunning method,” VeeKay mentioned. “The take a look at with Coyne in November already gave me a number of hope, but it surely’s great to lastly be capable of say it. For me, it was instantly clear that I wished to get in with Dale. He has been doing this for a really very long time and has a very good outlook. In addition to, it felt like coming house. After the primary laps I might talk simply with each the engineers and the mechanics. For Dale to grant me this chance, I’m sincerely very grateful for that.”
After 5 years driving a Chevrolet, Van Kalmthout will now compete for the primary time with a Honda engine in America’s highest single-seater sequence.
“Driving with Coyne additionally means working with a special energy supply,” mentioned VeeKay. “I clearly have not raced with Honda energy earlier than. From what I’ve skilled in recent times, the Honda engine has fairly a little bit of acceleration energy, so I am actually wanting ahead to racing on avenue circuits. Nevertheless, our oval take a look at in Indianapolis additionally went fairly properly. We’re subsequently keen to begin the brand new season.”
VeeKay made his IndyCar debut in 2020 after ending second in Indy Lights the earlier 12 months. The 2021 season introduced his first (and to this point, solely) victory, on the highway course at Indianapolis. On the famed Brickyard, van Kalmthout has managed to qualify on the entrance row 3 times. He additionally has two pole positions and 4 podium finishes to his title, together with his highest championship end being twelfth, twice — in 2021 and 2022.
Meaning he’ll be chasing “I do know Dale Coyne Racing may be very motivated to come back out robust this 12 months. With Jacob [Abel], Dale has recruited a quick rookie who confirmed nice issues within the Indy NXT final 12 months,” VeeKay mentioned. Abel, the Indy NXT runner-up in 2024, will likely be Van Kalmthout’s teammate within the #51 automotive this 12 months. “My aim, as a ‘younger veteran,’ with 80 IndyCar races behind my title, is to make a most contribution to the trail Coyne has taken. I really feel we have now met on the proper time in our lives.”
Subsequent week, VeeKay will take part within the IndyCar testing on the Sebring circuit with Dale Coyne Racing. The sequence’ season begins March 2 at St. Petersburg.
On this article
Ronald Vording
IndyCar
Rinus VeeKay
Dale Coyne Racing
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