Top 10 Streak Continues for Veekay While Also Receiving Jostens Biggest Mover Award With P9 Finish

Rinus VeeKay – No. 18 askROI, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Starting the race in P26, VeeKay began on alternate tires.

After a Lap 1 yellow, VeeKay had moved up to P20.

He then proceeded to push hard all the way to P8. before pitting on Lap 30 after seeing a slow car on track, which shortly after brought out a yellow.

This yellow cycled VeeKay to P11, only needing one more pit stop to complete the race.

On his next stint, VeeKay worked his fuel number masterfully while also moving up to P7. before pitting on Lap 60 for his final stop of the day.

During this stop, outside rear tire changer Nicolas Don and airjack operator Jose Carlos Sedano were struck by an opposing car. Don received the worst of the impact, with his ankle going under the car’s rear tires. Don, in high spirits, commented that he still finished the pit stop despite being run over at the ankle.

Don has since been seen and released by the INDYCAR Medical Team, whom he would also like to thank for their assistance during the incident.

With the No. 18 team showing grit and determination to complete their final stop, VeeKay carried that energy forward, working into a P9 position sealing his spot as the day’s biggest mover gaining the Jostens Biggest Mover Award extending his top 10 streak to three races.

Post-Race Quote:
"After qualifying P26 it is not a given to finish top 10, we made a really good call pitting when it was about to go yellow, unfortunately on the last stop Kyffin stalled deep in his box making the last stop difficult. Fortunately Nico my outside rear tire changer is somewhat ok, Really happy with the result, that's top 10 number 6 of the season and second time being biggest mover so super super satisfied, car was really good, Honda milage gave me a great fuel save while also keeping pace. Just a great day. Huge thanks to askROI and Honda again for making this all possible, we have had a good season of maximizing performances so I'm excited for what the rest of the season holds."

Jacob Abel – No. 51 Abel Construction, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
After starting the race on primary tires, Abel moved up to P20 from his P25 starting spot when the Lap 1 yellow flag came out.

On the next stint, Abel held his position eventually moving up to P13 and came in to pit on Lap 26.

A yellow came out a few laps after his pit stop, giving Abel a jump up to P15 as cars that had not pitted were shuffled to the back.

Abel put his head down and continued forward, coming in to pit again on Lap 52 to refuel and get new tires from P13.

He continued to push, running consistent lap times until making another stop on Lap 72.

Pushing until the end, Abel finished P22, three spots up from his P25 starting position.

Post-Race Quote:
"Overall we had a mistake free day which is a good step. We had good pace but just never had the track position on our strategy to make it a good finish. I think once we get qualifying sorted out we will be pretty good! I loved racing around this place, its a home track to me and it was a blast racing around it for the first time in an INDYCAR. This is the first race of 5 in a row so we can build on this performance and hit our stride here coming up."