Detroit Grand Prix: Dale Coyne Racing’s Strategic Reboot Shows Promise
In a pivotal shift following the Indianapolis 500, Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) showcased its revamped engineering lineup at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. New race engineer Michael Cannon, acclaimed for his 2020 championship win, guided Rinus VeeKay to a promising seventh on the grid, while rookie Jacob Abel, under the tutelage of Mike Colliver, improved significantly to start 20th—up five spots from his qualifying average.
During the race, VeeKay faced an early setback due to engine power issues, retiring after just six laps. Abel’s race unfolded more favorably; despite rear-end damage from a collision, he finished 18th, marking his best result to date.
“Rinus could have been a top five if not for the problem, and Jacob was on strategy for a top 10,” Coyne remarked to RACER. “It didn’t play out as hoped, but this was a big reset for us.”
Cannon’s return to DCR reflects a notable resurgence in engineering talent, previously demonstrated in collaboration with four-time Champ Car champion Craig Hampson and Ross Bunnell, now with Chip Ganassi Racing. With the addition of damper engineer Mike Ciciarelli, the team is poised for improvement throughout the remaining season.
Coyne expressed optimism about the team’s trajectory: “We’ve got a test at Milwaukee next week for some preparation ahead of Gateway and Road America. We know we had good cars in Detroit, and both could have been in the top 10.”
As DCR looks to capitalize on its potential in the coming races, the technical synergy between VeeKay, Abel, and their new engineers may yield significant results on the track.
