Oliver Askew will drive the No. 21 Direct Supply Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing this weekend during the REV Group Grand Prix at Road America after the car’s full-time driver, Rinus VeeKay, underwent successful outpatient surgery Tuesday for a fractured left clavicle.
VeeKay, fifth in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings, suffered the injury Monday on a cycling trail during a training ride. He is under the care of the INDYCAR medical staff and was not cleared to drive in the race at Road America, for which practice starts Friday.
“I want to wish Rinus a speedy recovery; I know the No. 21 Chevrolet will be missing him,” team owner Ed Carpenter said. “It’s a shame that he has to miss this round, but he will come back strong. I want to thank Oliver for being ready and able to step in and give the car a strong run.”
This will be Askew’s second series start of the season, as he drove for Arrow McLaren SP last Sunday in Race 2 of the Chevrolet Dual at Detroit after Felix Rosenqvist crashed heavily in Race 1 Saturday and was not cleared to race Sunday.
“First off, I hope Rinus is doing well and that he has a quick recovery,” Askew said. “I’m thankful that Ed and his ECR team trust me to take over the No. 21 Chevrolet this weekend. They have a strong program, and I look forward to helping them in every way possible at Road America.”
Askew, 24, will enter the REV Group Grand Prix weekend with ample experience at Road America, having raced on the 4-mile road course eight times in the past four years.
After winning the 2019 Indy Lights championship, Askew made his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut in 2020 and competed in 12 races. He reached the podium in only his fifth race, finishing third at Iowa Speedway.
Florida native Askew started the 2021 season with a victory, as he was part of the LMP3 class-winning team at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
VeeKay will be re-evaluated before the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on July 4. He earned his first career victory May 15 in the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and finished second in Race 1 of the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit last Saturday at Belle Isle.
“What happened was very unfortunate and definitely not the greatest timing,” VeeKay said. “The surgery went well; I am not in any pain.”
“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.”
Practice for the REV Group Grand Prix starts at 5 p.m. (ET) Friday (live on Peacock), with practice and qualifying Saturday. Live coverage of the 55-lap race starts at noon (ET) Sunday on NBCSN and the INDYCAR Radio Network.