Rinus Veekay Urges Penske to Face Last-Chance Indy 500 Qualifier

Rinus VeeKay is making headlines ahead of the 109th Indianapolis 500 after questioning a recent decision made by IndyCar officials. Representing Dale Coyne Racing, VeeKay just squeezed into Sunday’s Indy 500 after a tense last-chance qualifying session on May 19.

He beat out his own teammate, Jacob Abel, for the last available spot on the grid. The biggest controversy centers on Team Penske, whose drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power had their cars modified illegally.

Officials discovered changes to the rear attenuators after qualifying, so both Penske drivers were sent to the back of the starting lineup.

During a press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, track president Doug Boles explained that since all cars passed technical checks before qualifying, results should stand.

He said, “The 33 fastest cars are in the Indy 500. On Saturday, all the cars passed tech. There was no reason to look at those cars differently.” But VeeKay was not fully convinced by this logic.

After Monday’s practice, he spoke to reporters, suggesting that Newgarden and Power should have been required to take part in the last-chance qualifying group. He said the penalties felt especially unfair for Jacob Abel, whose car had passed every inspection and who, under different circumstances, might have made the field for his first Indianapolis 500. For more details on Indy 500 qualifying rules, you can visit the official Indianapolis Motor Speedway page.

VeeKay, preparing for his sixth Indy 500, questioned how Team Penske could defend the changes made to their cars. While he joked about starting on the same row as two Penske drivers, he admitted it felt strange to be starting at the back.

“If you had told me a week ago that I’d be starting on the same row as two Penskes, I’d be very happy,” said VeeKay, but he quickly added, “Unfortunately, we’re at the tail end of the field.” He called the situation odd, noting that issues like this are rare at Indy.

Helio Castroneves, a former Penske driver and four-time Indy 500 winner, defended the team. Castroneves did not see the modification as giving any real speed advantage and believes the penalty is enough.

He trusts the series’ process, saying, “I don’t think that little lip is going to make them three miles an hour faster, to be honest.” He also reminded listeners that Roger Penske runs his organization with high standards and any mistake likely wasn’t about gaining an unfair edge. For further insights into IndyCar’s technical regulations, check out the IndyCar official rulebook.

IndyCar officials called the situation “devastating” for Roger Penske and the team. Still, the main focus remains on May 25, when all 33 cars will take the green flag for the 500-mile classic.

The field is set, and drivers like VeeKay, Newgarden, and Power will start further back than expected. For Jacob Abel, missing the cut is a tough blow, but he and his crew are looking ahead to future chances.

Penske’s penalty has become a major talking point ahead of race day, prompting debate over the rules and fairness in IndyCar. For historical context on past Indy 500 controversies, you can explore the Indy 500 Wikipedia page. As teams finish their final practice sessions and prepare their machines, fans worldwide await to see who can navigate the drama and chase glory at this year’s Indy 500.