Rinus ‘VeeKay’ van Kalmthout finished 13th in the fifth round of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The Dutch driver started in 12th place and had a strong race, but a top-ten finish remained just out of reach due to an alternative strategy.
“I’m satisfied with how the race weekend went!”
Rinus ‘Veekay’ van Kalmthout – IndyCar driver at Juncos Hollinger Racing
March was quite a busy month for Rinus VeeKay and his IndyCar colleagues. After a winter break of more than six months, no fewer than four races were held, two of which took place on street circuits. After a three-week break, race number five was on the schedule, and once again a street circuit was on the agenda. The iconic asphalt ribbon in Long Beach, California, served as the battleground for the fifth showdown of the season.
On those streets of Long Beach, VeeKay took to the track clad in blue for the second time this year, as sponsor Arco once again dictated the color scheme of the #76 Chevrolet. The blue car kept pace well with the midfield of the IndyCar field during practice and advanced to the Fast Twelve session during qualifying on Saturday afternoon (local time), where VeeKay finished with the twelfth-fastest time.
On those streets of Long Beach, VeeKay took to the track clad in blue for the second time this year, as sponsor Arco once again dictated the color scheme of the #76 Chevrolet. The blue car kept pace with the midfield of the IndyCar field during practice and advanced to the Fast Twelve session during qualifying on Saturday afternoon (local time), where VeeKay finished with the twelfth-fastest time.
For the 90-lap Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Juncos Hollinger Racing decided to send its lead driver out on soft tires, prompting VeeKay to be called in for his first pit stop shortly after the race started—specifically, as early as lap nine. An attempt was made to make up ground via an alternative strategy, but the hard Firestone compound did not yield enough time savings to help VeeKay, who was driving flawlessly, move up the field.
While VeeKay didn’t put a single wheel wrong, he was forced to drive with his teeth clenched. In his third stint, during which VeeKay switched back to the soft tires after a change, the Dutchman posted strong lap times. A late neutralization brought the field together, prompting everyone to come in for a final pit stop. Because VeeKay needed to stay in the pits slightly less time for fuel, and thanks to the always-quick service from Juncos Hollinger Racing, he was able to make up a few positions.
As a result, after dozens of laps on the Long Beach street circuit, VeeKay returned to the exact same position from which he had started the race—twelfth place. Although Juncos Hollinger’s strategic plan did not pan out as hoped, thanks to VeeKay’s strong performance, the team fell just a few seconds short of the top ten. VeeKay finished thirteenth, as rival Siegel slipped past him on the final lap thanks to a fuel advantage.
“I’m satisfied with how the race weekend went,” VeeKay said from Charlotte, North Carolina, where he flew immediately after the race in California for simulator tests. “We were among the top twelve in qualifying. Don’t forget that Juncos Hollinger Racing has struggled with street circuits in the recent past and that the Hondas have a small but noticeable advantage on this type of track.”
“The race didn’t go my way—that’s how it goes sometimes in IndyCar. My crew and I gave it our all. I want to give the mechanics a huge shout-out: they were lightning-fast during the pit stops once again! Of the drivers on a three-stop strategy, we were ultimately the fastest, but the late neutralization meant our tactical plan didn’t work out. Thirteenth place was the best we could do. Given the circumstances, I can’t be unhappy with that.”
“We’ve raced five times now, and I feel right at home at Juncos Hollinger Racing. There’s still a lot more to come, though I’m well aware of where we’ve come from. In previous years, the team was strong on ovals but faced challenges on street circuits. We’re making progress step by step, and I’m grateful to the entire team. Together, we’re heading into the crucial month of May—I can’t wait!” VeeKay concludes with determination.
The next race in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship takes place on Saturday, May 9, when the Sonsio Grand Prix is on the schedule. The sixth race of the year will get underway around 10:30 p.m. Dutch time on the Road Course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It can, of course, be watched live on Ziggo Sport.
