Ed Carpenter Racing announced on Tuesday that young IndyCar star Rinus VeeKay was injured in a biking accident this week and that his status for Sunday’s race at Road America was in question.
Later on Tuesday, while dirt races were being wrapped up around the country, the team announced that VeeKay would indeed miss the series’ next stop.
Along with the announcement, the team revealed that Oliver Askew would be stepping in, in place of VeeKay at Road America.
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Rinus VeeKay underwent successful outpatient surgery this afternoon to repair a fractured left clavicle. He sustained the injury Monday on a cycling trail during a training ride and has been under the care of INDYCAR’s medical staff. As VeeKay is not medically cleared to participate in this weekend’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES event at Road America, Oliver Askew will compete in the No. 21 Direct Supply Chevrolet.
VeeKay was having a stout season with the tour, rising to fifth in the series points standings and winning the final race ahead of the annual Indianapolis 500 – his first career IndyCar win.
The driver remained in his usual positive spirits in his quote in the release.
“What happened was very unfortunate and definitely not the greatest timing! The surgery went well, I am not in any pain.” commented VeeKay. “I definitely wanted to be out there fighting for my place in the championship and driving the Direct Supply car. I will give it all I have and be ready for Mid-Ohio! I am very thankful for everyone at ECR that helped me and stayed up very late to get everything for the surgery arranged. I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone at OrthoIndy who got me all fixed up!”
Sunday’s race at Road America is slated to begin at 11:40 a.m. CT on NBCSN.
