VeeKay to remain with Ed Carpenter Racing in IndyCar on long-term deal
Rinus VeeKay will remain on board Ed Carpenter Racing's #21 car for the 2023 IndyCar season and beyond, as part of a long-term agreement.
The 2019 Indy Lights runner-up joined ECR after leaving a highly positive impression on the team following initial testing, and in his rookie season VeeKay scored a pole position, a podium and two other top-five finishes on his way to the Rookie of The Year title.
In May 2021, he won the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, took a runner-up finish in Detroit, and despite missing a race after breaking his collarbone in a fall from a mountain-bike, still salvaged sixth in the championship.
This year, VeeKay has taken another pole, another podium, and four other top-six finishes and currently lies 11th in the championship, and for the second successive year started the Indy 500 from the front row.
“I am very excited to continue with Ed Carpenter Racing for what will be my fourth year in the NTT IndyCar Series,” said the Dutchman who turns 22 next month.
“Ed Carpenter gave me the opportunity to drive for the team when I came out of Indy Lights and has let me showcase my talents in an Indy car ever since.
“The continuity at ECR is great, there have barely been any changes in my time here and it’s very nice to have the same group of people around me all the time. We have been stepping up our game every season and with the support of Todd Ault and BitNile, we can really move forward as we head into 2023.”
ECR team owner Ed Carpenter said: “I am so happy to be able to extend our relationship with Rinus. He is an extremely versatile and talented driver.
“It has been and remains our hope to build our team to new heights with Rinus helping lead the charge. Our goals and expectations are to win races and to compete for championships."
VeeKay stated how grateful he is for the support he has received since arriving in the top level of US open-wheel racing.
He stated: “I really want to thank Ed, Tony George, Stuart Reed for giving me the opportunity to continue with ECR. The entire team deserves my gratitude, everyone out in the race shop that works so hard every day to make me fast on track.”
“We still have a season to finish this year, but it’s great to know future plans. It motivates me, the team and everyone around us to get more great results before we focus on next year!”
IndyCar penalise Rossi and Andretti Autosport after Indy GP win
IndyCar makes Nashville track changes for its second year
Why Power's calm exterior isn't just for show in the IndyCar title fight
Much has been made of Will Power’s mental switch this year as the 2014 IndyCar champion targets a long-awaited second title. But, according to his Team Penske strategist, the 2022 points leader's efforts to portray a cool exterior in his public appearances are a fundamental part of his approach
Castroneves rejects retirement talk, still "a lot left in the tank"
Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves has dismissed the prospects of retiring from racing, saying he has "a lot left in the tank" despite a tough full-time return to IndyCar.
Nine IndyCar drivers in “high-line” practice session at Gateway
Nine of the 10 full-time IndyCar teams will take part in a special Friday practice session at Gateway to lay rubber down on the high line and increase passing opportunities.
Lundgaard: Vettel could expect “tough transition” to IndyCar
Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s Christian Lundgaard said that four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel would face a hard task adapting to the demands of IndyCar if he wished to make the switch.
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Chip Ganassi Racing team was strong again in the Indianapolis 500, with poleman Scott Dixon and reigning champion Alex Palou leading almost three quarters of the race between them. But when dominator Dixon was penalised for pitlane speeding, ex-Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson stepped up to score the biggest win of his career and seize the IndyCar points lead
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
Romain Grosjean's swashbuckling rookie year in IndyCar captured the imagination of many in 2021. But another ex-Formula 1 driver whose potential was masked by five years of toil in, at best, middling machinery also enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 - winning twice and finishing sixth in points. Here's how Marcus Ericsson finally delivered on his promise
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
IndyCar sophomore Alex Palou stunned by overcoming team-mate Scott Dixon and the rest of a white-hot field in 2021. He was consistently fast and crucially showed a level head, rebounding well from setbacks to put himself in a near unassailable position entering the final round
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Despite appearing to have an IndyCar job for life with Meyer Shank Racing, Jack Harvey’s departure and move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate. However, Harvey's and RLL's combined strengths could prove to be a winning combination - if they get the balance right
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Saturday 16 October marks the 10th anniversary of Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong junior career and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear
Why IndyCar title glory is just the start for Ganassi's new star
Newly-crowned IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been lauded as a complete driver and veteran-like in only his second season. The 24-year-old is still in the early days of his career, but the parallels are there for all to see with his six-time champion Chip Ganassi Racing team-mate who has been CGR's team leader since 2014