Rinus VeeKay’s strategic approach during the 2024 IndyCar Toronto race brought him tantalizingly close to victory, showcasing the effectiveness of his team’s decisions. VeeKay, driving for Dale Coyne Racing, utilized a bold plan that nearly disrupted the race’s outcome, highlighting the importance of smart strategy in this intense motorsport event.
Before the 2024 season, Dale Coyne Racing had not achieved a top-10 finish and faced uncertainty in their No. 18 Honda entry with Jacob Abel under contract but not occupying the seat for all races. After limited driver options, the team selected VeeKay, recently released from Ed Carpenter Racing. His ninth-place finish at the season opener in St. Petersburg, along with the second-fastest lap of that race, quickly proved Coyne’s choice to be astute.
Consistent Performance Builds Momentum Before Toronto
VeeKay did not just shine briefly; he continued his strong performance with a fourth-place finish at Barber Motorsports Park and four additional top-10 results across the next six races. As the IndyCar series moved to Toronto, VeeKay brought his momentum to a circuit where he had prior success, having claimed two wins during his 2018 USF Pro 2000 championship campaign.
Anticipation was high going into the weekend since Firestone’s softer alternate compound tires were expected to degrade quickly. Teams, therefore, mostly decided to start the race on these alternates, planning to pit within the first few laps—most commonly by lap two, although Scott McLaughlin’s accident delayed many stops until lap four.
Strategic Pit Decisions Set VeeKay Apart Early in the Race
Among 15 drivers who started on the alternate tires, 13 pitted under the first full-course yellow flag, but VeeKay and Kyffin Simpson notably delayed their stops. VeeKay’s decision to extend his time on track before pitting on lap 13 was a crucial strategic move. Meanwhile, Simpson’s pit came slightly later on lap 16, but he faced challenges moving up from 16th position.
Extending his stint allowed VeeKay to maintain a top-five position behind drivers like Louis Foster and David Malukas despite the early tire wear challenges. This positioning was essential in enabling his team to pursue a two–stop strategy, adjusted to the newly extended 90-lap race distance put in place to minimize single pit stop victories.
The Impact of Cautions and Fuel Management on the Race Outcome
VeeKay’s strategy relied heavily on fuel conservation and the appearance of additional full-course yellow flags. Thankfully for him, subsequent cautions caused by incidents involving Alexander Rossi, Josef Newgarden, Nolan Siegel, Devlin DeFrancesco, and others, allowed VeeKay to stretch his fuel window and make his second pit stop on lap 57, well within range of completing the race with just two stops.
However, fuel-saving tactics prevented VeeKay from pushing at full speed in the closing stages, contributing to his loss of the lead to eventual winner Pato O’Ward during the pit sequence. Statistics reveal that VeeKay’s pit stop time was 1.1331 seconds longer, and his in-lap was 0.5228 seconds slower compared to O’Ward, combining for a deficit of 1.6559 seconds. VeeKay’s lead prior to pitting was only 1.1025 seconds, which meant he emerged behind O’Ward once the stops cycled through.
Maintaining a Strong Finish Despite Tire and Time Disadvantages
After losing the lead during the pit stops, VeeKay focused on defending second place, hoping for an error from O’Ward that never came. The challenge was substantial given that VeeKay ran the last 77 laps of the race on two sets of worn primary compound tires, a notably difficult feat in terms of maintaining pace and grip. Only two other top-15 finishers ran stints on primary tires, demonstrating the rarity of VeeKay’s accomplishment.
Holding a podium position under these conditions, with competitors like O’Ward on similar fuel strategies but stopping one lap later, underscored the resilience required by VeeKay and his team’s tactful management of resources throughout the race.
The Consequences of Simpson’s Strategy and the Value of Coyne’s Call
Meanwhile, Kyffin Simpson, who stayed out longer on alternate tires until lap 16, suffered a drop from a potential second-place position down to 16th during a green flag run amid the cautions. He lost over two seconds to race leader Alex Palou between VeeKay’s pit stop and the spin that triggered the second full-course yellow, losing multiple positions in the process.
Simpson’s race illustrates how risky delayed pit stops on an unstable tire compound can compromise a driver’s potential podium run, highlighting the precarious balance teams must strike between aggressive and conservative tire management.
Strategist and team owner Dale Coyne’s decision to call VeeKay to pit when he began losing ground proved decisive. The timing allowed VeeKay to capitalize on the second caution flag immediately following his stop, essentially benefiting from the race circumstances and the team’s tactical patience.
Looking Ahead: The Implications of VeeKay’s Toronto Performance
Rinus VeeKay’s near win in Toronto reflects a mastery of race strategy and adaptability within a demanding competitive environment. His ability to execute a two–stop strategy over 90 laps, save fuel, and manage tire wear demonstrates both driver skill and sharp team decision-making under pressure.
This performance could signal a turning point not only for VeeKay’s career but also for Dale Coyne Racing’s competitiveness in the 2024 season and beyond. As the team and driver continue to refine their approach, they remain contenders capable of challenging dominant figures such as Pato O’Ward and Alex Palou.
With more races ahead, the lessons learned at Toronto will undoubtedly influence future strategies, tire choices, and pit timing decisions for VeeKay and his team, potentially shaping the championship battle in significant ways.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Rinus VeeKay?
A. Rinus VeeKay experienced a crash on pit road during the 2025 Indy 500.
In Indianapolis, VeeKay’s race came to an end on Lap 80 after crashing while trying to slow down for his third pit stop.
Q. Who does Rinus VeeKay race for?
A. Rinus VeeKay had a strong performance in the 2025 season, finishing second in the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race. He drove the No. 18 askROI Honda for Dale Coyne Racing. This is VeeKay’s best finish in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since he was also second at Belle Isle Park in 2021.