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Rinus VeeKay and Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) celebrated an unprecedented achievement in the 2026 IndyCar Series season, concluding the year with a remarkable tenth-place standing in the Drivers' Championship. This monumental success represents a personal best for VeeKay and a historic milestone for the JHR organization, signifying a significant leap forward in their competitive journey.

The Dutch sensation, at just 25 years old, piloted the #76 JHR Chevrolet to this career-defining finish following an impressive 18-race campaign. Throughout the season, VeeKay demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency, securing one podium finish, four top-five placements, and eight appearances within the top ten. His performance allowed him to outscore formidable rivals from established powerhouses like Andretti Global and Chip Ganassi Racing, including seasoned drivers such as Will Power and Scott Dixon. This stellar showing far exceeds VeeKay's previous best championship result of twelfth place in 2021 and 2022 with Ed Carpenter Racing, and dramatically improves upon JHR's prior team record of sixteenth place, set by Callum Ilott in 2023.

The critical final race saw VeeKay battling to maintain his top-ten position. Despite an initial setback during a pit stop on Lap 14, which necessitated an unplanned four-stop strategy due to an incomplete fuel fill, VeeKay exhibited remarkable resilience. Starting from nineteenth, he quickly advanced through the field, overtaking competitors like Nolan Siegel, Christian Rasmussen, and Dixon. He even recorded the fastest lap of the race and surged as high as seventh. Although late contact pushed him back to sixteenth at the checkered flag, his efforts were more than sufficient to cement his and the team's new career-high championship standing by a ten-point margin.

Reflecting on this season-long accomplishment, VeeKay expressed his gratitude for the collective effort of the entire JHR crew. He acknowledged that while the final race presented challenges, the team's ability to adapt and perform under pressure was crucial. He emphasized that this success was a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaborative spirit of every individual involved, from engineers to mechanics and pit stop personnel, all of whom played a vital role in elevating JHR into the upper echelons of IndyCar racing.

Dave O'Neill, Team Principal for JHR, highlighted the top-ten championship finish as a clear indicator of the team's substantial progress and future potential. He proudly noted their consistent strong presence in the Firestone Pit Stop Performance standings throughout the season, further underscoring the team's overall improvement. While celebrating VeeKay's success, O'Neill also acknowledged the disappointment regarding the #77 Chevrolet, driven by Sting Ray Robb, which unfortunately did not reach the coveted Leader’s Circle. Despite this, he commended both drivers for their unwavering commitment and extended appreciation to all partners, Chevrolet, and the fans for their invaluable support, affirming that Juncos Hollinger Racing has made significant strides in 2026 and looks forward to even greater achievements.

In an anticipated development, Nicolo Bulega, the current frontrunner in the WorldSBK championship, has officially been announced by VR46 as joining their MotoGP team for the 2027 season. He will be partnering Fermin Aldeguer.

This transition will see Bulega stepping into the spot previously held by Franco Morbidelli, who is reportedly moving to Ducati in WorldSBK. Bulega's agreement with VR46 is for one year, and he will ride a factory Ducati bike, a privilege also extended to riders like Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta, and Aldeguer. This marks a first for Valentino Rossi's team, as they will field two factory-spec motorcycles, with Ducati covering the majority of the associated costs.

Bulega expressed his excitement, stating that joining the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is a dream come true, especially given his past ties to the VR46 Riders Academy. He emphasized his intention to focus on each race, performing to the best of his ability without setting specific targets. By 2027, Bulega is slated to be the sole Italian competing on a Ducati, riding alongside five Spanish counterparts, as Gresini's line-up will feature Joan Mir and Dani Holgado. Bulega's journey back to the top tier of motorcycle racing has been a testament to his perseverance, as he overcame challenges in Moto2 and found renewed success in WorldSSP, clinching the championship in 2023 with an impressive 16 victories. His current dominance in WorldSBK, with 26 wins out of 27 races this season, further highlights his exceptional talent. Having previously ridden a Ducati MotoGP bike as a substitute for Marc Marquez and participated in pre-season tests, Bulega's familiarity with the machinery, coupled with his experience on smaller bikes and Pirelli tires, positions him as a potential front-runner in the upcoming MotoGP season. Meanwhile, Morbidelli concludes a nine-season run in MotoGP, where his career highlights include being the 2020 runner-up and the 2017 Moto2 champion. His move to the official Ducati team in WorldSBK presents a fresh opportunity to contend for victories and titles.

Bulega's impressive journey illustrates the power of resilience and determination in pursuing one's aspirations. His triumphant return to MotoGP, following a period of re-evaluation and success in a different category, serves as an inspiring example of how dedication and continuous effort can lead to achieving ambitious goals in competitive fields.