Rinus ‘VeeKay’ van Kalmthout is once again starting at the Indy 500 this weekend. The Dutch driver has already delivered several impressive performances at The Brickyard, but hopes to surpass himself this year. ‘VeeKay’ starts Sunday from P11; an excellent starting position, he explains to Formule1.nl. At his new team, Juncos Hollinger Racing, he also has the confidence that a place in the top five is possible.
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Van Kalmthout initially qualified twelfth, but moved up to the eleventh starting spot due to a technical disqualification of a competitor. That ranking ‘gives confidence’, he says ahead of the race. “The Indy 500 is of course a marathon, not a sprint,” he explains. “Nevertheless, it is very nice not to have to start from the back; you are often already ahead of the crowd and need to drive less offensively. Moreover, it shows that we have the right pace; there is simply a lot of speed in the car. But this starting position does not say everything yet,” he emphasizes. “Last year I started at the back with Dale Coyne Racing and at one point still drove to sixth place.”
Place in the top five
The Indy 500 has already brought ‘VeeKay’ quite a few successes in the past, although he has also experienced disappointments. “I will only be satisfied on Sunday if I have given it my all,” he responds when asked. “For us, that means a place in the top five or top six. Of course, anything can happen during the Indy 500, but I think that is an achievable goal. As long as you are in the top five, anything can still happen and you can suddenly compete at the front.” However, in the current IndyCar, the Hoofddorp native faces tough competition. “The field gets stronger every year,” he admits. “There are hardly any drivers who think they have no chance; the level is incredibly high.”
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Apart from the sporting aspect, ‘VeeKay’ still enjoys the huge spectacle that the Indy 500 is. It is no coincidence that the event still carries the nickname The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. “The parade through the city is always a highlight for me,” he says. “And once you walk into the Speedway for the race, you immediately feel the enthusiasm of all those people in the stands. The energy of 400,000 spectators – you don’t feel that at any other race. Of course, there is tension at every race; you want to perform. But during the Indy 500, all those fans really make it special. Everywhere you look, you see an endless sea of people.” Until Van Kalmthout closes his visor – then the cheering dies down. “Once I’m in the car, I naturally get into that tunnel vision,” he concludes.
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