'Not happy to bump Jacob out': Rinus Veekay gets Indy 500's final spot after risky decision
INDIANAPOLIS -- When asked about her son's decision to pull his original time with eight minutes remaining in last-chance qualifying Sunday, Rinus Veekay's mother kept her answer simple.
'He's a character,' said Evelien van Kalmthout while standing on pit lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after VeeKay secured the 33rd and final spot in the Indianapolis 500 next Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A risky move paid off as the Dutchman's average speed of 226.913 mph was enough to bump Dayle Coyne racing teammate Jacob Abel.
'I feel relief but not real happiness. Not happy to bump Jacob out,' Veekay said. 'We were just very slow, both Jacob and I, and unfortunately, it was one of the two that was going to go out.'
Veekay's second four-lap effort was slower than his first, in which he produced a 227.740 mph average speed. Veekay decided to pull his time because conditions were improving. After qualifying, Veekay said the risk wasn't worth it due to his time not improving and acknowledged that he was 'lucky' that Abel's time also decreased.
'I did not want to leave anything up to chance,' Veekay said. 'We did not maximize the hybrid usage on the first run, so I thought we could've done better. The car gets slower every time we go out, so it's really strange.'
Veekay said the car's handling worked well, but he was unsure of what was dragging it. The team made changes to Veekay's car on Saturday in preparation for Sunday, but Veekay said none worked. The 24-year-old admitted that his team must 'check our fundamentals' to improve for the Indy 500.
'The only positive thing is that I'm in the race,' Veekay said. 'We're not quick enough and need to work on speed. We are past wing angles making us faster, I think it's something deep inside the car. I did feel better in race trim than qualifying trim, so if we can get that feel back that we had in final traffic runs, we can do well.'
More: Doyel: IndyCar rookie Robert Shwartzman wins Indy 500 pole, Team Penske gets busted again
Veekay had never started worse than seventh in his previous five Indy 500s. He's aware of the battle that stands before him.
'I've always had to pass all the cars at the speedway,' Veekay said. 'Right now, my only way is forward and past 32 cars if possible.'
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