Toronto, Canada – (Sunday, July 20, 2025)
Dale Coyne Racing’s Rinus VeeKay (No. 18 askROI Honda) gets his first podium of the season, finishing P2 after battling for the win in the closing laps, while teammate Jacob Abel (No. 51 Abel Construction Honda) had his day end early after an early crash while battling for P11.

Rinus VeeKay – No. 18 askROI, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Starting the race in P9, VeeKay knew this was a good opportunity for a podium after moving forward double-digit positions in the races leading up to this weekend.

After a Lap 1 yellow, VeeKay had moved up to P8.

When the early yellow came out, VeeKay stayed out, putting the Dutchman into P2 on track behind championship leader Alex Palou.

Holding onto the green tires for as long as possible and fending off cars behind with fresh tires, VeeKay came in to pit onto fresh Firestone primary tires and full fuel on Lap 14.

On his next stint, VeeKay focused on saving tires to go as long as possible. When the Lap 30 yellow flew, this allowed the No. 18 to stay out and gain track position back up to 3rd, and be able to finish the race with only one more pit stop.

When the Lap 40 yellow flew, the top two cars pitted, handing the lead to VeeKay, forcing the Dutch driver to fight off cars with fresher tires on the upcoming stint.

Driving a breathtaking stint, VeeKay held onto the lead for 16 laps before coming in for his final pit stop of the day.

Pitting on Lap 56, the Dale Coyne Racing team had to fill a full tank of fuel along with scuffed Firestone primary tires. Unfortunately, the No. 5 car had less fuel to fill, leading to a faster pit stop and allowing the No. 5 to overtake VeeKay.

Running hard, VeeKay did all he could to make a pass for the win.

Unfortunately, VeeKay could not get a pass made, finishing P2, Dale Coyne Racing’s first podium since 2023. This performance moves VeeKay into P11 in the points standings and ties VeeKay’s personal best of 7 top-10s in a season, with 4 races still remaining.

Post-Race Quote:
"Very exciting day, we had a great day, we made a lot happen on strategy, we had some great pace too, it was really unknown before the race what was going to be the good strategy. A lot of yellow, but that helped us in the middle of the race. It was a really good day, we made the right decision again on strategy for the team, we did the 2-stop that not a lot of people were able to do, that’s all thanks to Honda for the great fuel saving and drivability to keep the rears on it was awesome. This still needs to sink in, just so awesome, so happy to have a good result, we have had a few good results but P2 was all we could do today. So happy for my whole team and askROI, I’m so happy to be able to get on the podium for everyone."

Jacob Abel – No. 51 Abel Construction, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Starting from P27, Abel focused on having a clean start, trying not to be caught up in any Lap 1 incidents.

Staying clean on the opening laps, the Coyne team kept Abel out, moving him up to P13.

Running consistent laps, Abel came to pit during the Lap 15 yellow, putting on Firestone alternate green tires.

Abel pitted once again on Lap 23 to fulfill his tire requirement for the race while staying on the lead lap.

When the Lap 30 yellow flew, Abel was in prime position to move up the field, jumping all of the cars who pitted under the yellow, moving all the way up to P11.

Holding off cars on fresher tires, Abel got moved up mid-corner and hit again late in the corner, forcing the rookie into the wall. He was then hit from behind by his competitors who could not avoid the stopped Abel, ending his day.

Post-Race Quote:
"First off, huge congratulations to Rinus, so happy to see him on the podium today. For us, really tough weekend, disappointing after such a great Iowa race leading into this. We had good pace and moved up into the gray and pushed into the wall. We had really good pace all weekend but never had the chance to show it. We have a short turnaround into Laguna so it will be a good reset to rebound from this weekend."