VeeKay gaining momentum as IndyCar takes on Portland

Rinus VeeKay has taken the Juncos Hollinger Racing team into unfamiliar territory as the Dutchman and the No. 76 Chevy hold 10th in the Drivers’ standings entering Sunday’s road course race at Portland International Raceway.

The organization, led by Dave O’Neill, sits in front of Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon, plus the entirety of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, ECR, AJ Foyt Racing and Dale Coyne Racing with VeeKay’s entry. After posting the third-best lap in practice on Friday, there’s clear potential for VeeKay to gain more ground inside the top 10.

"We've learned so much throughout the season,” VeeKay said of his first year with the team, which is owned by Ricardo Juncos and Brad Hollinger. “I had a few tough ones, but honestly, our bad weekends, we were not that bad. They were mid-pack weekends. And you see that in the points, now, we're 10th. Big leap for this team year over year. I'm having a great time.”

VeeKay, who did similar things for Coyne last season and is tipped to return to Juncos Hollinger in 2027, has become a threat at every type of track in the No. 76 car.

“I think the vibe in the team, the connection, is great,” he added. “The engineer and I work together well, but the whole [team], everybody's kind of flawless out there. So we're working like we should, this part to the season. We're a well-oiled machine."