Rinus VeeKay is already noticing the impact engineer Michael Cannon is having at Dale Coyne Racing, despite them only having worked together for a couple weeks.
Cannon joined DCR just after this year’s Indianapolis 500, bringing the expert engineer back to the team after 6 years apart.
He has been on the pit box and on the radio with VeeKay for the races in Detroit and World Wide Technology Raceway, with another race at Road America coming up this weekend.
The partnership has already bolstered confidence, and the entire engineering crew is getting along well.
“We’ve had two weekends with a test in between [with Cannon], so he came onboard during a very busy time,” VeeKay told Motorsportweek.com. I feel like there’s still some potential. We’re working ahead too.
“So far it’s been really good. Everything he’s done has been really good for the team.
“He is [making a lot of progress]. Him and Mike Ciccarelli, and Mike Colliver, they work together really well. They as a group are strengthening each other.”
“They’re doing really well, and having fun. Which is important.
“[This weekend’s temperature changes] are going to change the handling of the car, the balance. If there is one engineer that can make up for that and make the changes needed, it’s Michael Cannon.
“I’m not worried, and it’s even more opportunity for us to stand out.”
VeeKay finished seventh in the recent race from Gateway, and hopes Cannon can help to bring that momentum with him this weekend.
The IndyCar XPEL Grand Prix takes place Sunday afternoon, with green flags waving at 12:30 PM central time.