Ed Carpenter Racing signs VeeKay for 2020 IndyCar campaign

Indy Lights runner-up Rinus VeeKay has joined Ed Carpenter Racing for the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series campaign.

The Dutch driver secured six wins and seven pole positions in Indy Lights this season with Juncos Racing and caught the eye during maiden IndyCar tests for the team at Portland and Mid-Ohio earlier this year.

Van Kalmthout replaces Spencer Pigot at Ed Carpenter Racing and will contest the full IndyCar season across the oval, road and street courses.

“I’m so happy.” VeeKay said. “It’s a dream come true and something we have worked extremely hard for over the last couple of years. To step up from USF2000 to the NTT IndyCar Series in three years is really special.

“I would like to thank Ed Carpenter and his partners for this great opportunity and trust. The number of available seats in the NTT IndyCar Series is very limited, so it’s a great honour that they have chosen me to join their team.”

While Carpenter will continue to compete in the sister team car at the oval races, the road and street courses seat remains unconfirmed for 2020. Nico Hulkenberg had been linked to the spot following his Formula 1 exit which has since been dismissed.

“I have been following Rinus’s path through the Road to Indy, especially the past two years,” Carpenter said. “It was clear to me that he deserves to be in an Indy car.

“After his first day in a car at Portland this past season, that feeling became even more apparent. His pace, feedback and demeanour inside the car was very impressive for such a young driver.”