IndyCar: Rinus VeeKay to return to Ed Carpenter Racing in 2021
By Asher Fair
Prior to the 2020 season finale, Rinus VeeKay confirmed that he is set to return to Ed Carpenter Racing for a second year in the 2021 IndyCar season.
The 2021 IndyCar driver lineup continues to slowly come together.
Rinus VeeKay, who has secured 2020 Rookie of the Year honors through 13 of the 14 races on the schedule, has confirmed that he will be back behind the wheel of the #21 Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing in the 2021 season.
Ahead of today’s season finale on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, for which the 20-year-old Dutchman qualified in ninth place, he made this announcement on Twitter.
Before we close the season, I’ve got news. I’m proud to announce that I’ll be competing the 2021 IndyCar season with Ed Carpenter Racing! @ECRIndy @IndyCar pic.twitter.com/AK0ReUheKB
— Rinus VeeKay (@rinusveekay) October 25, 2020
VeeKay sits in 14th place in the championship standings entering the season finale with the potential to end up as high as eighth.
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His rookie season has been highlighted by his first career pole position at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and his subsequent career-high third place finish at the track, the track where he had secured his first career top five finish with a fifth place finish earlier in the year in what was just his second career start.
He has recorded five top 10 finishes this year, including oval-best finishes of sixth and fourth place at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway and an eighth place finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. His average finish is 12.2.
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VeeKay also qualified in an impressive fourth place for the Indy 500, moving the #21 Chevrolet’s streak of qualifying in the Fast Nine up to seven years in a row, highest among all cars. He had been running well in the race itself before hitting a member of his pit crew. He ended up settling for 20th.