IndyCar driver Rinus Veekay openly criticized Team Penske after the recent Team Penske Indy 500 controversy and repercussions, voicing frustration that Penske drivers avoided greater consequences. The Dutch competitor, speaking ahead of the 109th Indy 500, questioned why Team Penske’s No. 2 and No. 12 cars were only moved to the back of the starting grid instead of being forced to requalify for their places.
Veekay and Dale Coyne Racing Face Disappointment as Rookie Is Bumped
Dale Coyne Racing faced its own setbacks heading into the Indy 500, fielding both Rinus Veekay and Jacob Abel in hopes of claiming one of the 33 coveted spots. Ultimately, Veekay secured a starting position owing to his experience, while his rookie teammate Jacob Abel was bumped from the race due in part to the team‘s significant lack of pace during qualifying.
Following the technical infraction that saw Team Penske penalized, both of their affected drivers were relegated to the final two spots on the grid. Unlike Abel, however, these Penske drivers did not have to fight for their spots through the high-stakes Last Chance qualifier. Veekay expressed his disapproval during the post-qualifying press conference, stating:
“I mean, the cars have gone through tech [inspection] several times last week. It was only discovered at that point. I would have thought it was fair if they had to go to the last-chance qualifier and deserved to fight their way into the field. It’s even a more unfortunate situation for Jacob now.”
—Rinus Veekay, Driver
Veekay’s Frustration with Inconsistent Penalties
Veekay’s remarks underscore a broader dissatisfaction within the paddock regarding the way Team Penske’s infractions were investigated and penalized. He continued:
“Of course, what they did was wrong there. Yeah, I’m not totally sure how to justify the situation. It’s kind of a weird situation, I would say. You don’t see this every year… For me, if you told me a week ago I’d be starting on the same row as two Penskes, I would have been very happy. Unfortunately we’re at the tail end of the field.”
—Rinus Veekay, Driver
Dale Coyne Racing Searches for Explanations as Speed Disappears
Veekay and Dale Coyne Racing are also contending with a sudden loss of pace. At the Alabama Grand Prix just weeks earlier, Veekay was able to challenge Team Penske on merit, demonstrating impressive performance for the squad. However, those competitive speeds vanished as the Indy 500 approached, leaving both Veekay and the team searching for answers. The Dutch driver acknowledged the uncertainty, adding:
‘We need to work on it. Yeah, we have some theories, but no real answers yet.’ —Rinus Veekay, Driver
Ongoing Frustration and Unresolved Issues in the Indy 500 Field
Despite the controversies, Veekay remains the sole representative for Dale Coyne Racing as the green flag approaches for the famed event. The situation leaves many in the IndyCar community, including other drivers and fans, unsettled regarding how penalties are assessed at the sport’s most prestigious race. The lack of further consequences for Team Penske continues to stir debate around fairness, competitive integrity, and how similar incidents should be managed in future editions of the Indy 500.
