Rinus VeeKay has an opportunity to end the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season on a high note.
The Dutchman, in his fifth season driving the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet, is 15th in points after 12 races, the same spot he was in at this time last season. VeeKay gained one spot in points over the final five races to finish 14th in 2023, the same place he finished as a rookie in 2020.
With five races remaining in the season, with four on ovals, VeeKay is within range of recording a career-best finish in points. His peak so far is 12th, in 2021 and 2022.
Entering the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline on Saturday, Aug. 17 at World Wide Technology Raceway, VeeKay trails Marcus Ericsson by 21 points for 12th in the standings.
VeeKay boasts an average finishing position of 7.66 on ovals this season – fifth best in the series. So, the oval-heavy stretch run of the season makes finishing in the top 10 a realistic goal. VeeKay is only 30 points behind 10th-place Santino Ferrucci.
That’s remarkable because just four races ago VeeKay was 18th in points. But three straight top-10 finishes have provided a welcome course correction for VeeKay. In comparison, VeeKay had three top-10 finishes in his previous 20 starts dating back to Detroit in June 2023.
The vast improvement was made possible with a fifth-place finish in the first of two 250-lap races at Iowa Speedway on July 13, a ninth-place result a day later and eighth on the city streets of Toronto on July 21 for three top-10s in a span of eight days.
“Iowa was really good,” VeeKay said. “It’s a great points haul. We’ve scored a top-10 at every oval race so far.
“(Toronto) I am pretty happy with where we finished. That was one of those days where you really don’t have to do too much special, you just need to finish and stay out of the problems.”
Besides the race Aug. 17 at WWTR, there is a doubleheader Aug. 31-Sept. 1 at Milwaukee Mile and the season finale Sept. 15 at Nashville Superspeedway as remaining oval events. Portland International Raceway on Aug. 25 is the only road course race left.
While 2021 featured his lone victory in 75 starts in the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the most top-five finishes in a single season for VeeKay were three in 2020 and 2022. The most top-10 results in a single-season are six in 2021 and 2022.
With one top-five finish and five top-10s in 12 races this season and five more opportunities ahead, VeeKay can transform what began as a frustrating start to the season to a great opportunity to showcase his skill to the paddock as he admitted he’s out of contract after this season.
VeeKay boasted a strong junior category career with 16 wins and 36 podiums in 48 races in USF2000, USF Pro 2000 and INDY NXT by Firestone. He was Rookie of the Year in the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
VeeKay is also a strong qualifier for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, with starting spots of fourth, third, third, second and seventh, respectively.
Those credentials and a potential top-10 finish in the standings in one of the most competitive eras of racing could make him a driver in demand leading into the 2025 season.