Rinus Veekay has reportedly rejected a contract extension from Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) for the 2026 IndyCar season, according to journalist Tony Donohue. The Dutch driver‘s decision opens the door for replacements such as 2025 Indy NXT champion Dennis Hauger or former Formula 1 competitor Romain Grosjean to join the team.
Veekay signed with DCR just three weeks prior to the beginning of the 2025 season at St. Petersburg after Ed Carpenter Racing released him following the 2024 campaign. Dale Coyne Racing was Veekay’s last signing before the 27-driver IndyCar grid was finalized for 2025.
Performance Highlights and Emerging Opportunities
From the start, Veekay impressed with his consistent performance, frequently surpassing expectations. He secured seven Top 10 results during the season, including two finishes in the Top 5. His best result came in July at the Indy Toronto event, where he finished second, marking both his first podium since 2022 and the team‘s first podium in two years.
Despite these achievements, Veekay appears to be considering opportunities with other contenders, which has led to his refusal to stay with the mid-tier Dale Coyne Racing. The team is reportedly considering Dennis Hauger, who dominated and won the 2025 Indy NXT championship in his rookie season, as a potential replacement.
Romain Grosjean’s Potential Return to IndyCar Full-Time
Another candidate to fill Veekay’s seat could be Romain Grosjean, who debuted in IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing in 2021 and achieved three podium finishes that year. After spending 2025 as a reserve driver for PREMA Racing, Grosjean is seeking a full-time return to the IndyCar field in 2026, making DCR a likely option.
Dale Coyne Racing’s Expectations Before Contract Deadline
Prior to the IndyCar Milwaukee Mile 250 event in late August, Dale Coyne expressed confidence that Veekay would remain with the team for the upcoming season. When questioned by RACER about retaining Veekay, Coyne said,
“I think it will. Like I’ve been saying, I don’t think we’re going to see many changes next year. We just saw (Marcus) Armstrong’s going to continue with Meyer Shank, so he’s staying put. I think you’ll know our two drivers long before Halloween (October 31).”
Following Veekay’s podium performance at Indy Toronto in July, he appeared on fellow driver Conor Daly’s podcast and acknowledged his growing appeal to other teams, stating that his stock has been pretty good and has gone up quite considerably due to his strong results this season.
Possible Future with AJ Foyt Racing and Pending Team Announcements
One prospective destination for Veekay could be AJ Foyt Racing, especially with David Malukas, currently driving the No. 4 Chevy for AJ Foyt, anticipated to move to Team Penske to succeed Will Power. Official confirmations from respective teams have not yet been made public.
Significance of Veekay’s Decision and Next Steps in IndyCar
Veekay’s refusal to renew with Dale Coyne Racing signals possible shifts in driver lineups for the 2026 season, highlighting the competitive nature of IndyCar contracts and team strategies. With Hauger’s rapid rise and Grosjean’s ambitions for a full-time return, DCR faces important decisions that could affect their competitiveness in the next campaign.
The developments suggest an active off-season as teams finalize rosters, with announcements expected to clarify the direction of multiple drivers and teams as 2026 approaches.
