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Rinus VeeKay of The Netherlands was one of the comeback stories of the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season when he had one of the smallest teams in the series in contention for a top 10 finish in the season championship.
VeeKay joined Dale Coyne Racing at the beginning of the season and energized the team.
Despite that comeback performance, which netted VeeKay and the team a 14-place finish in the final standings, VeeKay announced on September 2 that he will not return to Dale Coyne Racing.
“I’m open for doing the best for my career,” VeeKay told me. “Yes, Coyne is an attractive option, we’ve had a very good season, but we have a whole offseason to figure out the next move.
“My goal starting the season was top 16 and we are 14. I think we have exceeded everybody’s expectations this year, even Dale’s expectations.”
VeeKay said there “are a lot of weird scenarios” in IndyCar right now.
“I don’t know who to believe,” VeeKay said. “There are a lot of weird rumors out there. I’ve heard some rumors that are interesting to say the least.
“For me, it’s a bit goofy right now.”
Dale Coyne Racing featured VeeKay and rookie driver Jacob Abel in 2025. With VeeKay announcing his departure, the team owner has some pressure if he is going to have both seats filled by October 31.
Earlier in the day, Team Penske announced its winningest driver in IndyCar history, Will Power, would be departing. The No. 12 Chevrolet at Team Penske is expected to be filled by David Malukas of AJ Foyt Racing.
As for VeeKay’s next move?
“I have to make sure I shine every year, and exceed yourself every season after the other,” VeeKay said. “Whatever I can do to show my true capabilities of doing what I did this year, but even better.
“I want to win, No. 1. After the podium at Toronto, that is possible. I want to take a step back to see the full picture.
“If Team Penske wants to call me, I’ll have a discussion. But they haven’t contacted me.
“I’m always open to talk to everybody. I’m a friendly guy and I like to meet new people.”
The 24-year-old VeeKay issued an Instagram post late Tuesday evening thanking Dale Coyne Racing.
“I want to thank Dale Coyne Racing and in particular Dale and Gail for the opportunity they gave me to re-establish myself in 2025.” VeeKay said in the post. “This year was genuinely the most enjoyable year in my career as an IndyCar driver.
“Especially big thanks to Renato, JC, Nico, Carlo, Brennan, John, Ryan, Matthew, Conner, Ed and Michael, Carrie and Michele for giving your best effort every single session as the 18 crew.”
VeeKay finished 13 in the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix but dropped to 14 in the standings as some of the drivers he was battling for a top 10 including race winner Josef Newgarden third-place finisher Scott McLaughlin passed him in the standings.
Dale Coyne Racing thanked the popular driver with the following response:
“It was an amazing year, thank you for giving us your best day in and day out. We want to wish you the best of luck on all your future endeavors.”
VeeKay drove the No. 18 askROI Honda to a second — place finish at Toronto, his best finish since winning an IndyCar Series race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in 2021. He spent his first five seasons in IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing before he was not re-signed last season.
VeeKay was the last driver hired for the 2025 season.
VeeKay’s arrival at DCR created a dramatic uptick in form for the veteran NTT IndyCar Series team. The No. 18 car that VeeKay drove this season finished 27th and last among the full-time entries in the series in 2024.
Last Friday, Dale Coyne Racing and VeeKay appeared at a breakfast at the newly opened Mel’s Diner in the entertainment district of Nashville. At that event, team owner Dale Coyne said he would announce the team’s drivers for next season before Halloween (October 31).
VeeKay believes it has a been a successful season with Dale Coyne Racing, after spending all of his previous INDYCAR career with ECR from 2020 to 2024.
“This season with Dale and Todd has been amazing,” VeeKay said. “They gave me a chance at a time when I felt I had no other options, and I’m happy that the bet has paid off for everyone.
“The results have been strong and fighting up front in this series week after week is a blast.
“As for my 2026 plans, I don’t have anything official to announce yet, but I hope to have them sorted out sooner rather than later.”
The purpose of last Friday’s announcement was the No. 18 Honda will be sponsored by Ault Blockchain. That livery debuted last weekend at Nashville Superspeedway and will run for the entire 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season.
“The car looks great,” Coyne said. “I’m happy to announce this partnership with Todd Ault. This season has been really good for us getting back on the podium in Toronto and currently sitting inside the top 13 in points heading into the final race this weekend. I think we can keep the momentum going into 2026, and I hope today is the start of that.”
Todd Ault is a Wall Street veteran and the founder of Ault Blockchain.
“I love working with Dale,” Ault said. “I love racing, especially IndyCar, and being able to fight at the front like we have this season has been exciting. It was a no-brainer to come back for a long-term commitment with the team. This team has a lot of grit, which I truly admire, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of that this weekend and throughout the upcoming season.”
Rinus VeeKay has raced with plenty of grit and determination, and that has given him confidence he can land an even better ride for 2026.
