IndyCar driver Rinus ‘VeeKay’ van Kalmthout has secured his fourth top-ten finish this season. The Dutch driver achieved an impressive seventh place during the race weekend at Gateway. Starting from the eighteenth position, Van Kalmthout managed to fight his way forward, earning a spot in the top ten, his fourth of the current season.
The IndyCar weekend in Illinois, USA, did not start off too well for Rinus van Kalmthout. At the World Wide Technology Raceway, the driver qualified as eighteenth, but by mid-race, ‘VeeKay’ had already entered the top ten. Even the chaotic conditions, resulting from the collision between Louis Foster and Josef Newgarden in the front row, did not prevent Van Kalmthout from achieving his fourth top-ten finish. The driver had to dodge American David Malukas and overtake championship leader Alex Palou, but then the seventh finish place was secured. Andretti driver Kyle Kirkwood took the victory.
“A very good result,” Van Kalmthout exclaims in the official press release. “This was my first short oval race with Dale Coyne Racing, we moved from the eighteenth to the seventh place.” The driver is racing for Dale Coyne Racing for the first time this year. “I took risks when I had to and I am satisfied. We really pulled this race towards us.”
Spectacular Night Race
This is the fourth time Van Kalmthout has finished in the top ten this IndyCar season. Previously, the Dutchman secured two ninth places in St Petersburg and at the Indy Grand Prix, and finished fourth at Barber Motorsports Park. However, Van Kalmthout particularly enjoyed his seventh place at Gateway. “The artificial lights added an extra dimension, a night race is something IndyCar should do more often. It was super spectacular. This great result is doubly pleasing because we have had mechanical problems in recent races.”
Van Kalmthout will be back on the starting grid for the next IndyCar race next weekend. The event will then move to the Road America circuit.
