Rinus VeeKay continued his spectacular mid-season momentum on Sunday, driving the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet to a fourth-place end on the Grand Prix of Portland.
Beginning fifth on the 12-turn, 1.964-mile Portland Worldwide Raceway, the 25-year-old Dutchman ran a managed race, prevented chaos, and relied on quick pit work to maximise his consequence. The efficiency marks VeeKay’s third fourth-place end over his final 5 begins, bringing his complete to 5 top-10 outcomes on the 12 months and firming his spot of tenth place within the championship standings.
“Yeah, we had a extremely good day. Beginning up entrance helps – saves you from taking lots of dangers that can’t repay,” VeeKay stated post-race. “I feel we simply had a really stellar day. We had a good suggestion on technique, and we saved calm and did what we wished to do at the beginning. Stored out of hassle.”
A vital late-race pit sequence proved decisive, permitting VeeKay to leap the Andretti International duo of Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood.
“A very good job by the pit crew to get me forward of each Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood on the finish,” VeeKay stated. “Actually joyful to have a consequence like this with AM/PM on the automobile as properly, and nice to place Chevy up there.”
The highest-five end underscores a significant turnaround for the No. 76 program within the second half of the season. After a troublesome outing at Street America, the group recognized key setup adjustments throughout a productive check session at Mid-Ohio.
“I feel we simply found out our highway course automobile,” VeeKay stated. “My testing in Mid-Ohio… actually simply made an enormous distinction for our program, and we discovered some issues that basically want to alter, particularly after a extremely robust weekend in Street America. I feel we’re beginning to determine issues out, this far into the season.”
With a road-course package deal now performing extra constantly, VeeKay and Juncos Hollinger Racing now flip their consideration to a pair of avenue programs earlier than heading right into a late-season oval doubleheader.
“We now have a doubleheader developing in Milwaukee, so we’re actually, actually excited for that,” VeeKay stated. “However first, two new avenue programs. Yeah, it must be lots of enjoyable.”
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