Juri Vips needed pitlane space for his first 2024 start

Juri Vips resolution to make his first begin of the 2024 season within the IndyCar Collection at Portland Worldwide Raceway subsequent weekend merely got here right down to pit lane area. 

The 24-year-old Estonian was confirmed earlier this month to drive Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s No. 75 Honda as a part of a fourth entry on the 12-turn, 1.964-mile pure terrain highway course.

Though this endeavor will function his third profession begin in North America’s premier open-wheel championship, it does come at a well-known place as he made his debut at the exact same monitor final yr when he completed 18th. 

An ex-Pink Bull Junior Staff driver and reservist for its Components 1 squad, Vips has spent this yr on the payroll of RLL. He has primarily carried out work on the simulator to help engineers and the present full-time driver lineup of Graham Rahal, Pietro Fittipaldi, and Christian Lundgaard, who’s certain for Arrow McLaren in 2025. 

Through the opening follow on Friday at Gateway, which was led by the No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda of David Malukas, Vips caught up with NBC Sports activities reporter Georgia Henneberry in regards to the upcoming alternative.

“Yeah, actually thrilling and it’s already subsequent week,” Vips stated. 

“Numerous preparation has gone into it. Sadly, we couldn’t do any simulator work … however I really feel prepared and really feel ready. You realize, I raced there final yr as nicely. So, at the least this time I don’t must study the monitor.”

Contemplating 4 of the final 5 races of this season are on ovals, a monitor self-discipline Vips has but to compete on, the query was then posed to him on the choice to return to Portland. 

“It was truly extra logistic,” Vips stated. 

“The logistics had been the query. Principally, we needed to discover a monitor that has area for like 28 pit containers as a result of it’s an additional automotive. That eliminates a lot of the highway and road programs. 

“So, principally, we had been left with the ovals and Portland, in order that’s why that call got here.”