Not all drivers will be in a celebratory mood after the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet driver, called out Christian Rasmussen, driver of the No. 21 ECR Chevrolet, following a multi-car restart crash at the Freedom 250, but broadcast replays appeared to reveal Marcus Armstrong as the driver who triggered the lap 42 collision on Turn 5.
VeeKay was running in second place following a timely pit stop before the restart. However, as the field accelerated through the blind corner, Marcus Armstrong made contact with Christian Rasmussen, who sent VeeKay into the outside wall, knocking VeeKay out of the race while Armstrong was able to continue.
When asked if he could have done anything differently on the restart line, VeeKay did not hold back on his critique of Rasmussen.
“Honestly, if Rasmussen’s around, you know you’re gonna crash,” VeeKay said. “Either he does or you do. So, it sucks, it’s stupid. It’s a long race, some people seemingly don’t know that.”
VeeKay continued to voice his frustration after the race, describing how the impact felt from inside the cockpit without having seen the full sequence behind him.
“I got hit from behind, and I was a passenger after that,” VeeKay said. “We got a very lucky break on that yellow, I already pitted, and it went yellow right after, so really good luck there.
“But unfortunately, I got put into the wall right afterwards. I didn’t see the actual incident, but I think from where I was, it was a pretty vicious hit from the left rear to put me into the wall.”
However, replay footage showed that Armstrong made initial contact with the rear of Rasmussen’s car entering Turn 5.
That initial bump forced Rasmussen directly into VeeKay through the turn, meaning VeeKay was directing his post-race frustration at the wrong driver in the heat of the moment.
VeeKay nor Rasmussen have responded publicly following VeeKay’s comments.
