By David Morgan, Associate Editor
For the second time in as many years, Rinus VeeKay will be looking for a new home in the NTT IndyCar Series after announcing Tuesday that he will not be returning to Dale Coyne Racing in 2026.
Following his removal from Ed Carpenter Racing at the end of the 2024 season, VeeKay was a late addition to the No. 18 Honda at Dale Coyne Racing, where he joined rookie Jacob Abel as a teammate.
The 24-year-old Dutchman went on to turn the underdog team from also-ran to contender, bringing in two top-five finishes and seven top-10 finishes, with a season-best finish of second in the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. A far cry from the season prior in which that same car struggled and finished dead last amongst the full-time teams in 27th place.
VeeKay finished the year ranked 14th in the standings, which he closed out with a 13th place run at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, having led two laps on the day.
Where VeeKay will land next season is still up in the air, but whichever team he does drive for is getting a proven commodity in a driver that to date has accumulated one win (2021 Indy GP), 11 top-five finishes, 33 top-10 finishes, 231 laps led, and two poles in 97 starts.
“Honestly, looking back on this season I’m so happy with myself and this team,” VeeKay said after the race in Nashville.
“The podium at Toronto is something I will remember for a long time, and I’m so thankful to Dale for taking a chance on me when I had no other options. I really love this team and I am so proud of everything we accomplished together.
“I don’t know my 2026 plans quite yet, but I hope to have something sorted out sooner rather than later. Thanks to Honda, the drivability of these cars is amazing, and the fuel numbers I was able to hit this year with them were mind-blowing. That really helped us a lot this season.
“Also, I would like to thank askROI and Ault Mining Nodes for the support this year, everything that they have done for me this season is truly amazing and I’m so grateful for them.”
He added additional thanks to DCR for his short, but productive tenure with the team Tuesday on social media.
I want to thank Dale Coyne Racing and in particular Dale and Gail for the opportunity they gave me to re-establish myself in 2025. This year was genuinely the most enjoyable year in my career as an IndyCar driver.
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/xApaTIki0i— Rinus VeeKay (@rinusveekay) September 2, 2025
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