IndyCar Series: VeeKay Secures Podium Finish in Toronto
In a notable performance at the Toronto IndyCar event, Rinus VeeKay clinched second place, marking his first podium finish with Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) and bolstering his championship standing. Entering the race ranked 13th in the drivers’ championship, VeeKay has now achieved seven top-10 finishes out of 13 races this season.
VeeKay’s last podium finish was in 2022 while driving for Ed Carpenter Racing at Barber Motorsports Park. This achievement also represents DCR’s first podium of 2023, following a similar result by teammate David Malukas at World Wide Technology Raceway.
The success can be attributed in part to the collaboration with race engineer Michael Cannon, who joined the team in June. Under Cannon’s guidance, VeeKay has significantly improved his performance, showing maturity and skill beyond his 24 years. Cannon praised VeeKay, emphasizing his consistency and race craft compared to many younger drivers who struggle during race conditions.
“The guy is very good,” Cannon noted. "He didn’t make any mistakes; he didn’t have any penalties. It’s the same kind of thing you see with [champions] Alex Palou or Scott Dixon.”
Cannon, who has previously worked with esteemed drivers including Dixon, expressed confidence in VeeKay’s potential, likening his talent to that of notable competitors. “I’m working with a 24-year-old kid who has a 40-year-old head on his shoulders,” Cannon stated, highlighting the exemplary performance of the DCR team as a whole.
With this podium finish, VeeKay and Dale Coyne Racing continue to prove their competitive edge in a field dominated by larger teams, underscoring a budding success story in the IndyCar Series.
