IndyCar trophy Veekay has an unusual place: "I use it as a side table"

F1 News

30 January 2022 at 16:27
Last update 30 January 2022 at 17:54
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  • GPblog.com

Dutch success in motor racing does not only come in the form of Max Verstappen. Rinus 'VeeKay' van Kalmthout is working hard in the United States, where he competes full-time in the IndyCar class. This weekend he will be competing on behalf of Racing Team Nederland in the 24 Hours of Daytona, just a stone's throw from his home base.

Veekay is a resident of the same state where the long-distance race will be held: Florida. With a travel time of three and a half hours, Daytona Beach can be called 'close' by American standards.

Van Kalmthout uses trophy as a side table

The Dutchman had a somewhat difficult second half of the season in 2021, after which he decided in consultation with team owner Ed Carpenter to stay in America for the off-season as well. This will allow the driver to spend more time with the team and test in the simulator, which hopefully will help him find his feet.

However, he has already overcome a major obstacle in the American racing class. In May 2021, he won his first IndyCar race at the Indianapolis circuit. The trophy that this victory brought him currently has a remarkable place in his home: "I use the trophy from my first Indycar victory as a side table," Veekay laughed in an interview with Formula 1 Magazine.

Not long ago, he moved from Indianapolis to Florida, where not all of the furniture proved to fit in the new home. Since this caused him to miss a table, he has provided his trophy with that function for the time being.