Dale Coyne Racing has announced a significant engineering adjustment for the 2025 season that involves their drivers Rinus Veekay and Jacob Abel. Following the Indianapolis 500, both drivers will receive new lead engineers starting with the upcoming IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix, signaling a strategic reset for the Illinois-based team. Veekay will reunite with Michael Cannon, a familiar figure who has an established history within IndyCar engineering circles, while Abel will be paired with Mike Culliver.
Team owner Dale Coyne expressed his appreciation for departing engineers Ed Nathman and John Dick, crediting them for their contributions during a challenging start to the season.
“I would first like to thank Ed Nathman and John Dick for helping us get to this point in our 2025 season. Our driver lineup came together very late in the offseason, and we appreciate both Ed and John stepping in to get us on track so quickly. I’m also very excited to welcome back Michael Cannon and Mike Culliver to the Dale Coyne Racing team for the remainder of the year.”
—Dale Coyne, Team Owner
Backgrounds of New Engineering Appointments
Michael Cannon, who steps in as Rinus Veekay’s new lead engineer, previously contributed his expertise at AJ Foyt Racing before accepting a brief role with Prema Racing, one of IndyCar’s newest teams. Mike Culliver returns to assist rookie Jacob Abel, aiming to bolster his development after Abel’s failure to qualify at the recent Indy 500.
Performance Overview of Veekay and Abel in 2025
The season has unfolded with mixed results for Dale Coyne Racing’s drivers. Veekay’s standout performance so far was a fourth-place finish at the Children’s Grand Prix of Alabama. In contrast, Jacob Abel’s best result remains 23rd place, achieved at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix. These contrasting trajectories mirror the team’s motivation to consolidate support around the drivers with revamped engineering leadership.
Rinus Veekay’s Response to Indy 500 Setback
Following his early exit from the Indianapolis 500, Rinus Veekay shared his reaction on social media. The Dutch driver had successfully pushed teammate Jacob Abel off the grid to secure his place but was forced to retire after a critical pit lane incident.
During a pit stop, Veekay experienced a brake failure that caused loss of control and a collision with the pit wall, ending his race prematurely. Despite this, he acknowledged the team’s performance and expressed optimism for the next challenge.
“We raced our way up to 6th before a brake failure ended our day coming into pit lane. @DaleCoyneRacing gave me a great car and strategy. Just needed a bit of luck to go with it. All eyes on Detroit now!”
—Rinus Veekay, Driver
Looking Ahead: Detroit Grand Prix and Season Prospects
The DNF at the Indy 500 leaves Veekay’s best Brickyard finish at eighth place in 2021. As the team shifts focus to the Detroit Grand Prix in Michigan, Veekay aims to capitalize on his past podium finish at the event and build momentum for a strong remainder of the season under the guidance of his new engineer. The changes within Dale Coyne Racing signal a concerted effort to improve competitiveness and consistency as the 2025 IndyCar campaign progresses.
