NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One piece of IndyCar’s foolish season fell into place Thursday when Rinus VeeKay introduced a multi-year extension with Ed Carpenter Racing.
The 21-year-old Dutchman mentioned on Twitter he was staying within the No. 21 Chevrolet, and in contrast to current contract dealings in each IndyCar and Components One, this one was backed minutes later when ECR confirmed the information.
VeeKay, who was permitted to speak to different groups as of Monday of this week, entered into free company with a brand new agent this season. Fairly than wait to see how the scenario is resolved at Chip Ganassi Racing with reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou, VeeKay determined to remain the place he’s and never gamble on the No. 10 at Ganassi presumably opening.
IndyCar rookie Callum Illot did the identical final week when he honored a handshake cope with Juncos Hollinger Racing to return subsequent yr – though the No. 10 might open if Palou finds a method out of his hotly contested contract. Ganassi is suing the Spaniard over a deal Palou signed to hitch McLaren Racing – though it isn’t clear if that is for an IndyCar or F1 seat.
“I’m very excited to proceed with Ed Carpenter Racing for what will probably be my fourth yr,” VeeKay mentioned. “Ed Carpenter gave me the chance to drive for the group once I got here out of Indy Lights and has let me showcase my skills in an Indy automobile ever since.
“The continuity at ECR is nice, there have barely been any modifications in my time right here, and it is very good to have the identical group of individuals round me on a regular basis.”
VeeKay was the 2020 IndyCar rookie of the yr and scored his solely profession victory final yr on the highway course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He is since tattooed the date of that breakthrough victory on his bicep.
VeeKay has one pole this yr, one podium end, and is ranked eleventh within the IndyCar standings headed into Sunday’s race within the downtown streets of Nashville. He is twice certified on the entrance row for the Indianapolis 500.
Crew proprietor Ed Carpenter watched VeeKay progress by way of the Street to Indy, which included one championship, two runner-up finishes within the factors standings, 16 wins and 36 podiums in simply 48 races.
“I’m so completely happy to have the ability to prolong our relationship with Rinus, he’s an especially versatile and proficient driver,” mentioned Carpenter. “It has been and stays our hope to construct our group to new heights with Rinus serving to lead the cost. Our targets and expectations are to win races and to compete for championships. With Rinus’s development and the assist from BitNile and Todd Ault, we’re primed for fulfillment.”
VeeKay turns into the longest-tenured, full-time driver in Ed Carpenter Racing’s 11-year historical past.
His extension comes amidst a flurry of crazed free company in each IndyCar and F1. Ganassi mentioned it picked up its possibility on Palou final month after which hours later Palou mentioned he wouldn’t be returning to the group. Minutes after that, McLaren mentioned it had signed Palou.
Simply this week, the F1 dominoes started to fall when Fernando Alonso blindsided Alpine by signing with Aston Martin. The subsequent day, Alpine mentioned it was selling reserve driver Oscar Piastri, just for the 21-year-old Australian to denounce the transfer.
Piastri can be believed to have a contract with McLaren, which supplies McLaren far too many drivers for out there seats. The Palou debacle is already within the courtroom system; Piastri’s scenario is much less clear.
In IndyCar, a number of drivers are nonetheless making an attempt to finalize their 2023 plans, together with seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. He’d prefer to return for a 3rd season of IndyCar however has but to safe a dedication on funding from sponsor Carvana.
4-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves can be nonetheless engaged on his future and needs to return for a full season with Meyer-Shank Racing. The Brazilian mentioned he isn’t taken with operating Indy just for Shank and needs a full yr.
Castroneves can be making an attempt to get a seat in NASCAR’s season-opening Daytona 500.