Rinus VeeKay’s Homecoming: A Fresh Start with Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2026
When Rinus VeeKay was announced as the newest driver for Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) for the 2026 IndyCar season, it marked more than just another driver-team shuffle. It represented a reconnection with the roots of his American open-wheel career and a significant leap for a team with growing ambition. After a strong 2025 campaign with Dale Coyne Racing, VeeKay finds himself back alongside familiar faces, familiar power and familiar motivation.
From Rising Star to Experienced Leader
It’s hard to believe, but 2026 will mark Rinus VeeKay’s seventh full-time season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Once hailed as one of the brightest young prospects in the Road to Indy ladder, he quickly became a fan favorite with his aggressive driving, youthful energy, and ability to deliver big moments, including an emotional pole position at the Indianapolis 500 in 2021 and multiple podiums throughout his career.
But after spending five seasons with Ed Carpenter Racing, where he debuted and developed as a driver, VeeKay made a bold move to Dale Coyne Racing for 2025. It was a shift that, in hindsight, he sees as career-defining.
“At the time I didn’t think so, but it was probably the best thing for my career,” VeeKay reflected. “I came in as a rookie with ECR and got comfortable there… but going to a different environment made me grow. I learned a lot more in one season with Coyne than I would have in another with ECR.”
His performance in 2025 confirmed it. A podium in Toronto, two top-5 finishes, and seven top-10s, all while serving as a team leader for a smaller operation looking to bounce back. It wasn’t just his results that stood out, but the maturity and technical clarity he brought to a team needing direction.
“I really was a lot more involved with the team. I think that also showed Juncos what I can do… because when you’re with one team for five years, it’s hard to measure your impact. Moving teams showed what I can bring.”
Why Juncos – And Why Now?
While the announcement of VeeKay’s return to a Juncos-run car may have caught some by surprise, the foundations of the move run deep. VeeKay and team owner Ricardo Juncos share a long history, stretching back to their Road to Indy days. Together, they won a championship and racked up 13 wins. That trust, that understanding, it never went away.
“It feels like a return home,” VeeKay said. “We always stayed in touch. I met with Ricardo and the new leadership at JHR a few times this year, and everything they told me aligned with how I think about what it takes to succeed.”
There was a sense of clarity, even inevitability, in the decision. According to VeeKay, it came down to just two serious options for 2026: staying with Dale Coyne Racing or joining Juncos Hollinger Racing.
“For me it was really between Dale Coyne Racing and JHR. It didn’t take long to get a deal done. This was clearly the best move for my future.”
Another appealing aspect? The return to Chevrolet power. After five seasons with Chevy at ECR, VeeKay briefly drove a Honda-powered car with Coyne, but reuniting with Chevy, and their support at Indy in particular, was an added bonus.
“It’s kind of like coming home after doing five seasons with Chevy Power,” he said. “But ultimately, the biggest decision for me to go to JHR was the team itself.”
Aiming Higher and Building a Team Around Him
Juncos Hollinger Racing may not yet be considered a top-tier IndyCar team, but their growth has been undeniable. With consistent investment, technological upgrades, and a hunger to break into the front-running group, they’ve steadily built momentum. In 2025, they showed flashes of brilliance on ovals and street courses alike.
“They have great people with incredible track records. I think the team is better than what they’ve been able to show so far,” VeeKay said. “What they’ve been missing is consistency and I think I can bring that.”
His belief isn’t just in the car or the engineers, but in the team’s collective mentality. The arrival of Brad Hollinger, former F1 figure at Williams, added another layer of professionalism and vision. VeeKay was impressed.
“Brad really wants to win badly. So do I. I think that ambition is something we share.”
He’s also eager to integrate fully into the team, something made easier by proximity. Living just 25 minutes from the team’s shop, VeeKay plans to be a constant presence over the winter: from pit stop drills to team-building sessions.
“Getting everything done early is great. We’ve got a long offseason but not a lot of track time, so it’s important to build that brotherhood before the season starts.”
The Coyne Chapter: Short but Transformational
Though his time at Dale Coyne Racing lasted just one season, VeeKay speaks about it with nothing but gratitude and respect.
“Probably my best year in INDYCAR so far,” he said. “They gave me an opportunity when I really needed it, and we helped each other. They came off a rough season, and I came from a tough situation with ECR. We made it work.”
From the outside, Coyne and Juncos are viewed similarly: underdog outfits with limited resources but a knack for punching above their weight. Internally, however, VeeKay says the difference lies in Juncos’ upward trajectory and structure.
“I just see the potential. Their cars look great. Their setup is solid. I think the car has more pace than what people realize and I can’t wait to unlock that.”
VeeKay enters Juncos not just as a driver, but as a leader, someone expected to shape the team’s performance, culture, and decision-making.
“That’s what I’m being hired to do, to make the team better. That’s the job description.”
From his understanding of race craft to car setup direction, VeeKay believes he’s now in a position to guide a program, not just drive for it.
“Even though racing can seem selfish, it’s a team sport. You’ve got to lift your team up. I’ve shown I can do that.”
The Challenge of 2026 — and the Tracks That Await
The 2026 IndyCar calendar brings new challenges: a revamped race at Arlington, the return of Phoenix, and the always-daunting oval slate including Milwaukee, Nashville, and Gateway. For a team like JHR, this presents both opportunity and uncertainty.
“It’s 50/50. Everyone has to figure the new tracks out. But I think with the people and tech we have, we can start the season strong,” said VeeKay. “I bring knowledge from very different teams, and that should help us adapt fast.”
And what about the ovals, an area where Juncos showed progress in 2025?
“I love oval racing. It’s a lot more fun when the car works the way you want it to. We struggled at Coyne a bit on ovals, but I’m excited to build on what JHR started with Conor and Sting Ray.”
Eyes on the Indy 500
It’s impossible to talk about a new IndyCar season without mentioning the Indianapolis 500, the race where VeeKay has already made a name for himself multiple times. With Juncos, he’s optimistic about another big run in 2026.
“It was an important factor in my decision. I want a strong car for the 500 and I think we’ll have that. Indy picks its winners, but we can be right there.”
While many contracts are signed year-to-year, VeeKay confirmed his deal with Juncos goes beyond just 2026.
“It’s for a number of years. I want to help this team become one of the top teams in IndyCar.”
With Juncos Hollinger Racing setting ambitious targets and VeeKay aiming to fulfill his early promise in a new leadership role, the pairing has all the ingredients of a true partnership, one built not just for next season, but for the seasons beyond.
Back Where It All Started and Ready to Lead
The irony isn’t lost on anyone. VeeKay returns to Juncos Hollinger Racing, the team that helped launch his career, now as a seasoned, proven driver. He’s no longer the teenage prodigy from the Road to Indy. He’s a podium threat, a strategic mind, and a team motivator.
“We’re all trying to get to the top. The ambition between JHR and me is the same. That’s why I’m here.”
And with that, the 2026 IndyCar puzzle gains a crucial piece, one that might just help JHR make the leap they’ve long been chasing.
written by Philipp Kraus / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment