Rinus VeeKay will continue racing for Ed Carpenter Racing in the NTT Indycar Series in 2021
Rinus 'VeeKay' van Kalmthout will continue racing for Ed Carpenter Racing in the NTT Indycar Series in 2021. The team announced that it has extended its contract with the 20-year-old dutchman who won the 2020 rookie of the year award in North America’s top-line open-wheel racing series.
Since rushing through the feeder categories, climbing the three steps of IndyCar’s Road to Indy ladder in as many years, VeeKay made an exciting debut in the NTT IndyCar Series. Born in the Netherlands but now living in Indianapolis, the young Dutchman highlighted his first season at the highest open-wheel level in North America with a pole position and subsequent podium finish in the first race of the Harvest GP weekend and fourth place on the grid for the legendary Indianapolis 500, as well as a handful of top-ten finishes and the coveted rookie award.
Having offered VeeKay a full-time contract for the 2020 season on the back of two convincing tests in 2019, Ed Carpenter Racing wasted no time in renewing the rookie champion’s contract for the 2021 season, as team boss Ed Carpenter was anxious to hang on to him for a second year.
VeeKay is happy with the confidence put in him by the Indianapolis-based team run by Ed Carpenter and general manager Tim Broyles which has taken five IndyCar victories since 2012.
"We've had a good season together and I'm happy to announce that I will also be driving for Ed Carpenter Racing in 2021", the Dutch driver said. "The atmosphere in the team is great, and everyone is happy with my Rookie of the Year award. I am satisfied with my own performance and the way the team and I have worked together. It was an easy decision to continue for another year, and it feels good to be sure of a second season in the NTT IndyCar Series. This year was a bit strange because of all the COVID-19 issues, but I hope to build on the experience of this season and record my first IndyCar victory next year!"
Meanwhile, Carpenter stated that he was extremely satisfied with the VeeKay’s rookie season and is looking forward to improve on that in 2021.
"The 2020 IndyCar season was one to remember!" said Carpenter. "Despite the time limitations caused by COVID-19, Rinus got used to the IndyCar machine in no time at all. For us, it is obvious that with Rinus we have a future winner on our team, and we look forward to many more podium visits.”
VeeKay will get straight to work preparing for the new season ahead, as he will join IndyCar’s collective test at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, on November 2.
THE 2021 INDYCAR SEASON WILL START IN THE STREETS OF ST. PETERSBURG ON MARCH 7, THE SAME CIRCUIT WHERE THE 2020 SEASON CAME TO AN END LAST WEEKEND.
Rinus VeeKay is supported by Jumbo, La Place, Basic-Fit and KNAF Team/NL.