Rinus VeeKay will return to his seat at Ed Carpenter Racing this weekend for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by the HPD Ridgeline at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course after missing the previous race at Road America due to a broken collarbone.
VeeKay, 20, was cleared to drive June 30 by the INDYCAR Medical Staff. He underwent outpatient surgery June 15 to repair his collarbone, which was fractured in a cycling accident June 14. He will drive the No. 21 SONAX Chevrolet starting this Friday at Mid-Ohio.
“First, I need to say thank you to the INDYCAR medical staff, including Dr. Webber, who did my surgery,” VeeKay said. “I am very excited to race this weekend at Mid-Ohio, especially after missing the last race at Road America. I am more motivated than ever.
“I have been working incredibly hard on my recovery, doing all kinds of treatment. I feel I will be right back at the level I was before. I sat in the car earlier this week to make sure I was comfortable, and I was in the simulator yesterday. I have no pain and feel as good as ever.”
Dutch driver VeeKay has become a breakout star this season in his second year in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. He earned his first career victory May 15 in the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, one of his six top-10 finishes in seven starts. VeeKay also qualified third for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, becoming the youngest front-row starter in “500” history.
VeeKay remains sixth in the series standings despite missing the REV Group Grand Prix presented by AMR on June 20 at Road America. Oliver Askew replaced VeeKay at that event.
Ed Carpenter Racing’s lineup at Mid-Ohio will consist of VeeKay and Conor Daly, driver of the No. 20 U.S. Air Force Chevrolet on road and street courses.
Practice at Mid-Ohio starts at 2:30 p.m. (ET) Friday, with live coverage on Peacock. Saturday’s action includes practice at 9:05 a.m. (live on Peacock), NTT P1 Award qualifying at noon (live on Peacock, 11 p.m. Saturday on NBCSN) and final practice at 3:30 p.m.
The 80-lap race is set for noon Sunday, live on NBC and the INDYCAR Radio Network.