The 2025 IndyCar season roared to life on the streets of St. Petersburg, with plenty of action, strategy, and standout performances. Among them was Rinus VeeKay, who delivered a strong race for Dale Coyne Racing (DCR), securing the team’s first top-10 finish since Portland 2023. His ninth-place result not only marked a positive start to the season but also signalled a potential turnaround for the team after a challenging previous year.
A well-executed strategy pays off
Starting from outside the top 10, VeeKay and his DCR crew executed a calculated strategy that allowed them to climb through the field, helped by starting on the alternates. Reflecting on his race, the Dutchman was pleased with how the team approached the season opener.
“I think we had a good race. We didn’t take too much risk,” VeeKay said post-race to frontstretch open wheel. “We had a good strategy, and the car was fast. I think we were second fastest left in the race. So, I mean, great job by the team. Everything came together driver-wise, but also engineering-wise.”
Despite the limited preparation time before the season, VeeKay credited his team and Honda for their efforts in ensuring a competitive package.
“Very close to the season start. Yeah, I mean, we just had a great race. Pace was good,” he added. “Tyre degradation was a little bit too much for us, but still, we had a great race. Very happy with what we’ve done. So, I’ve got to thank Bill and his whole team and Honda for everything they’ve done and the way they’ve welcomed me into their IndyCar programme.”
Managing tyre wear and pressure from behind
One of the biggest challenges for VeeKay during the race was tyre degradation, an issue that affected several drivers on the tight St. Petersburg circuit.
In the closing stages, he was overtaken by Christian Lundgaard. However, he remained ahead of Alex Rossi, the driver of his old Ed Carpenter Racing machine.
“Yeah, so, same for me. And I think the hardest part was driving in my mirrors most of the race,” he explained. “Being a little bit ahead in pit cycle, then having some guys saving less fuel, having a little bit more pace in my mirrors and kind of saving fuel but keeping it behind. That was hard. But I think we maximised with ninth place.”
Given the struggles DCR faced in 2024, the top-10 finish was a significant achievement for the team, and VeeKay acknowledged just how important it was.
“Well, it feels like a win for all these guys.”
With the first race of the season in the books, VeeKay and Dale Coyne Racing have laid a solid foundation for the year ahead. While there are still areas to improve, particularly in managing tyre degradation, the early signs suggest that VeeKay’s move to the team could yield promising results.
The IndyCar grid remains as competitive as ever, but if VeeKay and DCR can continue building on this performance, they may find themselves regularly fighting inside the top 10—and potentially even higher. For now, St. Pete was a statement race for both driver and team, showing that they are ready to compete in 2025.
