Rinus VeeKay delivered an encore efficiency and as soon as once more took the combat to IndyCar’s greatest en path to a fourth-place end at Sunday’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
After beginning sixth within the #76 Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) Chevrolet, the Dutchman leaned on an aggressive tire technique by beginning on the softer alternate (crimson sidewall) tires. He shortly jumped up two spots on the opening lap and was among the many first to dive to pit lane, swapping to the popular tougher main (black sidewall tires) as soon as the three-stop window opened for the 90-lap race.
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By the point the second pit window cycled out, VeeKay was working third and stalking the juggernaut duo of Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard. Whereas a shot to upset every little thing was derailed by a gradual last cease, VeeKay was nonetheless capable of fend off the #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda of reigning and four-time IndyCar Collection champion Alex Palou to safe the primary spot off the rostrum.
“The crew did an awesome job,” mentioned VeeKay, 25. “We made a very good technique plan beforehand. We knew the crimson tires have been gonna be onerous to carry on to. It was overcast to start out the race, so we determined to start out on these reds, get some spots at the beginning, which I did. That was good. After which as soon as the three-stop window opened, we ditched them and went for clear monitor on the blacks, so actually good pit cycles there. Actually good pit stops by the crew.”
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The outing marked the second fourth-place consequence for VeeKay and JHR during the last three race weekends, matching the efficiency at Street America. Moreover, it marks one of the best consequence for JHR on a street course since Romain Grosjean secured the identical end at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca throughout the 2024 season.
VeeKay, within the midst of his seventh season in North America’s premier open-wheel championship however first on the high flight with JHR, now has two high fives and 4 high 10 finishes on the yr, elevating him to eleventh within the championship standings; he sits simply three factors behind Andretti International’s Marcus Ericsson for tenth.
With VeeKay at present on a one-year deal, his title has been amongst a number of throughout IndyCar’s ‘foolish season’ that has already seen outstanding modifications, such because the confirmed departure of six-time IndyCar Collection champion Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing at season’s finish.
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Briefly, ending simply off a podium that was occupied by O’Ward, Lundgaard, and Andretti International’s Kyle Kirkwood gained’t harm VeeKay’s future plans, however for now, he was extra targeted on the consequence at Mid-Ohio’s 13-turn, 2.258-mile pure terrain street course.
“Sadly, we obtained beat on the ultimate one,” VeeKay mentioned. “However right now we confirmed – the pretty small workforce that we’re – that when we run up entrance, we will run with the massive guys.”
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