SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Ed Carpenter Racing driver Rinus VeeKay remembers the feeling of winning the 2021 GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(NOTE: The video in the player above is from a report on Rinus VeeKay's 2021 win at IMS.)
"Definitely an amazing moment. Crazy it's almost a year ago, 'cause it feels like a week ago. I just remember that whole weekend. Every minute," VeeKay said. "These are memories you always remember so well and clear."
It was the first win of his young IndyCar career, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with his family watching — how could VeeKay forget it?
"I cannot wait to do it all again. Whenever those memories fade a little, I hope before that happens, I can refresh them again," VeeKay said.
As we gear up for another GMR Grand Prix next month, VeeKay has his sights set on repeating and making his second trip to the victory circle. He admits there's a different level of excitement surrounding this one as the defending champion.
"It's a different feeling. I think my head is gonna be on the tickets, so that's pretty cool," VeeKay laughed.
Well, when VeeKay takes the track for the road course race on May 14, he's going to have a lot of people riding with him — at least their names will be with him — on his livery.
It's called the "Ride with Rinus" campaign. Ed Carpenter Racing has partnered with a nonprofit called Building Tomorrow, which provides educational support for kids in underserved areas in Uganda.
With a $75 donation to the cause, your name will go on VeeKay's car and impact five kids as well.
"It's all long-term. You're helping kids' school for long-term and helping kids out for the rest of their lives, which is a long time, man," VeeKay said. "I donated myself, so my name's on my car. So did my parents, my sister, they're all on there. I think our dog is on there, so it's special, and if I was a fan, I would definitely do it because it's an opportunity that not very often arises."
It's an opportunity to "Ride with Rinus," the defending GMR Grand Prix champ, while helping change lives in the process.
"It's not a one-time donation, it's a lifetime donation," he said.
If you'd like to donate, click here.