Rinus VeeKay’s defensive masterclass leads to best finish since 2022

Sunday’s IndyCar race at Barber proved to be one of the best in some time for Rinus VeeKay, who narrowly missed out on a podium finish.

The Dutchman had good pace all weekend and qualified his Dale Coyne Racing Honda on the third row.

He converted that into a fourth place result, his best finish since Iowa in 2022, by putting on a defensive clinic on cold tires in the middle portion of the race.

VeeKay held off multiple attacks from Will Power and Pato O’Ward, who both had the advantage of hot tires, and then held station for the remaining 45 laps.

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“It was definitely my second best [career drive] at least,” VeeKay told FOX after the race. “I had a win, so I like to count the win as my best one so far. It was a great race! I had a lot of fun out there and showed a lot of strength in a car that was really allowing me to be strong.

“I think the key was pit sequences and being in clean air from there on. We lost a few positions on the first pit sequence. I think we stayed out a few laps too long on the black [tires]. Then going to the reds on the second stint.

“I had so much pace because we saved a set of sticker reds for the race. I told the team ‘Let’s go long because I think we can beat those guys on the pit stop.’ We narrowly did that and I was able to keep them behind me from then on.”

VeeKay’s performance also gave Dale Coyne Racing its best road course result since Laguna Seca in 2021, and both sides hope there is more to come from their still-fresh relationship.