By: Spencer Neff
February 14, 2025

The last vacant spot on the full-time grid for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season has been filled.

Dale Coyne Racing announced that 2020 Rookie of the Year Rinus VeeKay has signed with the team.

The Hoofddoorp, Netherlands native will drive the No. 18 entry. VeeKay teams with rookie Jacob Abel, who is piloting the No. 51.

“We are excited for him to join the team and get started with us at the Sebring test coming up next week in preparation for the full NTT INDYCAR SERIES season,” team owner Dale Coyne said of VeeKay’s addition.

VeeKay spent the previous five seasons at Ed Carpenter Racing. In 80 career starts, VeeKay has one victory (2021 IMS Road Course Race 1) and four podiums along with two pole positions.

He also qualified on the front row at the Indianapolis 500 in three consecutive seasons (2021-2023). Last year, he finished 13th in points.

“Very exciting news,” VeeKay said of the announcement.

I am happy to announce my partnership with Dale Coyne Racing for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, It makes me proud to see my name among the drivers competing in this fantastic series for a sixth consecutive year. After a difficult start to my offseason, I am delighted to end the winter with this news.”

Dale Coyne Racing enters their 42nd season of IndyCar competition. In that span, DCR has earned six victories. Their most recent was the 2018 season opener with Sebastien Bourdais at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

The latest of DCR’s three poles across IndyCar was Romain Grosjean’s effort at the May 2021 GMR Grand Prix on the IMS Road Course. Grosjean finished second to VeeKay in the race a day later.

“We are excited about getting back to full-time drivers for 2025. The stability allows us to grow as a team, and that’s important to me.” Coyne added,

“For that to be accomplished, having a proven veteran in one of our entries helps tremendously, and that’s one of the many reasons we have decided to go with VeeKay to complete the 2025 grid.”

VeeKay previously tested with DCR at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October. He will be on track for the full-field Open Test on Monday and Tuesday at Sebring International Raceway in Florida.

Header Image By Dale Coyne Racing