IndyCar Driver Rinus VeeKay Is Full of Beans

“It’s like a perfect velvety cappuccino every morning,” VeeKay told James Hinchcliffe on the first episode of “Java With James,” a videocast where Hinch and his guests drink coffee while discussing their careers and IndyCar in general.

“I don’t go to coffee shops anymore because I like mine better,” VeeKay added. “I spend most of my money on beans because I love beans.”

VeeKay is in good company. Three-time defending champ Alex Palou is also a coffee connoisseur when it comes to being picky about beans.

When he’s on the road, VeeKay spends much of his free time exploring little coffee shops around the country. And more often than not, he’ll wind up leaving those shops with a bag or two of beans, and with a smile on his face anticipating how the beans will wind up tasting once they’re brewed.

That’s why it’s not surprising that this guy is serious about his beans and caffeine. When he needs his fix, he needs his fix.

“I’m going on my secret adventures, getting my beans from other places,” VeeKay told Hinchcliffe. “I have my own sources. I like souvenirs … every racetrack I go to, I go to a local coffee shop and get some beans. I get something from every race and have a souvenir that I can drink.”

VeeKay is in his first season of racing for Dale Coyne Racing after five years with Ed Carpenter Racing

While some people believe one cup of coffee or a derivative like espresso is the same as the next, VeeKay disagrees.

“(Beans) are different,” he said. “They’re all from the same part of the world, I guess. It’s like wine, every wine has a distinct taste. I like to play around with “The best place (for him to find different beans) is a coffee shop in Monterrey, Calif. (which he didn’t name; we guess he wants to keep it his own little secret). That’s just  straight good vibes for me when I get coffee there.”

When he sat down with Hinchcliffe, VeeKay brought the coffee – his own blend, of course.

“We’re drinking cortado,” VeeKay said. “I like java. I’m like James, I’m a coffee guy. I was thinking about cappuccino first, but this is stronger and I’ve heard you hate coffee (he said with a laugh). (It has) a double shot of espresso. It’s like a mini cappuccino. There’s less milk and a bit of foam.”

While a cortado may be one of VeeKay’s favorite blends, that’s not the case for the so-called Mayor of Hinchtown. When VeeKay remarked their drink is not bad, Hinchcliffe took a sip, scrunched up his face while looking at the camera and then quipped, “It’s not bad? It’s terrible!”