# Zach Veach

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American racing driver (born 1994)

Zach Veach Veach at the 2019 Indianapolis 500 Nationality American Born Zachary Elson Veach (1994-12-09) December 9, 1994 (age 31) Stockdale, Ohio, U.S. Categorisation FIA Gold IndyCar Series career 47 races run over 4 years Team No. 26 (Andretti Autosport) 2019 position 18th Best finish 15th (2018) First race 2017 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama (Barber) Last race 2020 Honda Indy 200 Race 2 (Mid-Ohio) Wins Podiums Poles 0 0 0 Previous series 2013-2014 2016 2012 2010-2011 Indy Lights U.S. F2000 National Championship Star Mazda Championship Championship titles 2011 2012 U.S. F2000 Winterfest Formula Car Challenge

**Zachary Elson Veach** (born December 9, 1994) is an [American](/source/United_States_of_America) [auto racing](/source/Auto_racing) driver. He has previously competed in the [IndyCar Series](/source/IndyCar_Series), where he last drove the No. 26 [Honda](/source/Honda) for [Andretti Autosport](/source/Andretti_Autosport).

Veach was named to [CNN](/source/CNN)'s list of "Intriguing People" in May 2010,[1] is the national spokesperson for FocusDriven, and released his first book, *99 Things Teens Wish They Knew Before Turning 16* on [NBC](/source/NBC)'s *[The Today Show](/source/The_Today_Show)* on March 2, 2011.[2]

## Racing career

### Early career

Veach began racing at age twelve when he was "discovered" by former [IndyCar Series](/source/IndyCar_Series) team owner [Sarah Fisher](/source/Sarah_Fisher)'s dad, Dave Fisher. In nineteen months, Veach had gone from go-karts to the cockpit of an open-wheel [Formula BMW](/source/Formula_BMW) machine. Near the end of 2009, while testing a Formula BMW, [Atlantic Championship](/source/Atlantic_Championship) team owner [Eric Jensen](/source/Eric_Jensen_(racing_driver)) signed Veach to his team for the [2010 Atlantic Championship season](/source/2010_Atlantic_Championship_season).[3] In early March 2010, the Series halted operations.[4]

### U.S. F2000 National Championship

Veach in 2010

In his first year as a driver in the [U.S. F2000 National Championship](/source/U.S._F2000_National_Championship) for Andretti Autosport, Veach had ten top-five finishes and four podium results. Despite entering the series after the season-opener (St. Pete) and therefore missing out on two rounds of race points, he managed to finish fifth in the driver championship point standings. His performances also contributed to Andretti Autosport securing the team championship for the 2010 season. He was also named a semi-finalist for [Sports Illustrated](/source/Sports_Illustrated)'s annual [Sports Kid of the Year](/source/Sports_Kid_of_the_Year) award.

On December 9, Andretti Autosport announced they had re-signed Veach to again compete in the USF2000 National Championship and WinterFest in 2011.[5]

In January 2011, Veach won the [2011 U.S. F2000 Winterfest](/source/2011_U.S._F2000_Winterfest) – a winter race series held in Florida. Veach won two of the five races and won the title by six points over Andretti teammate [Spencer Pigot](/source/Spencer_Pigot).[6] Veach won the [2011 U.S. F2000 National Championship](/source/2011_U.S._F2000_National_Championship) season opener at [Sebring International Raceway](/source/Sebring_International_Raceway). Veach finished fourth in series points.[7]

### Star Mazda Championship

Veach racing in Star Mazda at [Road Atlanta](/source/Road_Atlanta)

Veach made his [Star Mazda Championship](/source/Star_Mazda_Championship) debut for Andretti Autosport at [Infineon Raceway](/source/Infineon_Raceway) in August 2011. He also competed in the series' season finale at [Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca](/source/Mazda_Raceway_Laguna_Seca),[8] where he finished third. He competed in the full season for Andretti Autosport in the No. 77 car in [2012](/source/2012_Star_Mazda_Championship_season), finishing tenth in points with a best finish of third at [Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis](/source/Lucas_Oil_Raceway_at_Indianapolis).

### Indy Lights

Veach moved up to [Indy Lights](/source/Indy_Lights) with Andretti Autosport in [2013](/source/2013_Indy_Lights_season). Veach led the most laps and finished on the podium in third at the [Milwaukee Mile](/source/Milwaukee_Mile) and won the pole at [Auto Club Speedway](/source/Auto_Club_Speedway) on his way to seventh in points. He remained in the series and Andretti Autosport in [2014](/source/2014_Indy_Lights_season). He collected three wins and nine podiums in fourteen races to end third in the standings behind [Gabby Chaves](/source/Gabby_Chaves) and [Jack Harvey](/source/Jack_Harvey_(racing_driver)). After sitting out of the 2015 season due to an injury which required hand surgery, Veach returned to Indy Lights in [2016](/source/2016_Indy_Lights_season) with [Belardi Auto Racing](/source/Belardi_Auto_Racing).[9] After a rough start, where he suffered a mechanical failure while dominating the first race in St. Petersburg, he went on to collect three wins as well as several podium finishes throughout the eighteen race season.

During his [Indy Lights](/source/Indy_Lights) racing career, Veach finished in the top-ten in 43 of the 44 races he competed in, or 97.73%.[10]

### IndyCar Series

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (November 2025)

Veach (left) at [Texas](/source/Texas_Motor_Speedway) in 2019

Veach made his IndyCar Series debut at the 2017 [Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama](/source/Honda_Indy_Grand_Prix_of_Alabama) as a last-minute replacement driver for the injured [J. R. Hildebrand](/source/J._R._Hildebrand).[11] Despite the short notice and a limited amount of time to become familiar with the car prior to the event, he managed to close the performance gap to teammate [Spencer Pigot](/source/Spencer_Pigot) in each session, from 1.5 second behind in the first practice to 1.1 in the second, 0.8 in the third and just 0.5 in qualifying. Veach started nineteenth and ran as high as fourth in the race, after pitting off-sequence, before finishing in nineteenth place, the last car on the lead lap.[12]

Veach competed at the [2017 Indianapolis 500](/source/2017_Indianapolis_500) for [A. J. Foyt Enterprises](/source/A._J._Foyt_Enterprises),[13] placing 26th, when he retired on lap 155 with mechanical issues.

On September 11, 2017, it was announced that Veach had reached an agreement to drive [Andretti Autosport](/source/Andretti_Autosport)'s fourth IndyCar full-time for the [2018 IndyCar Series](/source/2018_IndyCar_Series) season. The contract was three years in length.[14]

On September 23, 2020, Andretti Autosport announced that Veach would be leaving the team ahead of the Harvest GP.[15]

### IMSA

For the 2021 season, Veach was signed by Vasser Sullivan Racing to drive a GTD-class [Lexus RC](/source/Lexus_RC) at the [IMSA SportsCar Championship](/source/IMSA_SportsCar_Championship), partnering with [Frankie Montecalvo](/source/Frankie_Montecalvo).[16]

## Distracted driving campaign

Veach has been very outspoken about his interest in putting an end to distracted driving. On April 30, 2010, Veach attended the taping of [The Oprah Winfrey Show](/source/The_Oprah_Winfrey_Show)'s focus on the [No Phone Zone](/source/No_Phone_Zone) program. At the program he met Jennifer Smith, founder and president of FocusDriven, the official beneficiary from Winfrey's No Phone Zone, and later became FocusDriven's national spokesperson. In May 2010, Veach campaigned to gain support from professional racecar drivers to support Winfrey's No Phone Zone.[17] Veach announced on June 4, 2010, he had added 33 [Indy 500](/source/Indy_500) drivers support of the No Phone Zone, including that of [Danica Patrick](/source/Danica_Patrick) and [Hélio Castroneves](/source/H%C3%A9lio_Castroneves), among others.[18]

In July 2010, Veach released an anti-texting app, urTXT, which automatically responds to a text message received by the phone.[19]

On September 21, 2010, Veach attended the 2010 National Distracted Driving Summit where he was honored by [United States Secretary of Transportation](/source/United_States_Secretary_of_Transportation) [Ray LaHood](/source/Ray_LaHood), in addition to the [Jonas Brothers](/source/Jonas_Brothers) and [Jordin Sparks](/source/Jordin_Sparks) for their collective efforts to put an end to distracted driving.[20]

## Musical career

Veach would star in the [Indianapolis Opera](/source/Indianapolis_Opera)'s production of [Gaetano Donizetti](/source/Gaetano_Donizetti)'s comic opera [Elixir of Love](/source/L'elisir_d'amore), to be held in November 2019.[21]

## Racing record

### U.S. F2000 National Championship

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Rank Points 2010 Andretti Autosport STP STP ORP 4 IOW 5 NJM 4 NJM 5 ACC 7 ACC 6 ROA 3 ROA 3 ATL 2 ATL 4 5th 189 2011 Andretti Autosport SEB 1 SEB 8 STP 3 STP 4 ORP 2 MIL 2 MOH 5 MOH 7 ROA 3 ROA 5 BAL 12 BAL 16 4th 223

### Star Mazda Championship

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Rank Points 2012 Andretti Autosport STP 17 STP 11 BAR 15 BAR 10 IND 3 IOW 6 TOR 2 TOR 17 EDM 9 EDM 17 TRO 8 TRO 8 BAL 8 BAL 6 LAG 11 LAG 17 ATL 8 10th 199

### Indy Lights

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Rank Points 2013 Andretti Autosport AFS Racing STP 5 ALA 9 LBH 9 INDY 5 MIL 3* IOW 7 POC 4 TOR 7 MOH 5 BAL 8 HOU 10 FON 4 7th 333 2014 Andretti Autosport STP 1* LBH 2 ALA 1* ALA 3 IND 9 IND 7 INDY 3 POC 2 TOR 5 MOH 4 MOH 2 MIL 1 SNM 7 SNM 3 3rd 520 2016 Belardi Auto Racing STP 16 STP 3 PHX 8 ALA 3 ALA 10 IMS 5 IMS 10 INDY 10 RDA 1 RDA 3 IOW 2 TOR 9 TOR 6 MOH 5 MOH 4 WGL 1 LAG 3 LAG 1 4th 332

### IndyCar Series

([key](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:American_Open_Wheel_driver_results_legend))

Year Team No. Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Rank Points Ref 2017 Ed Carpenter Racing 21 Dallara DW12 Chevrolet STP LBH ALA 19 PHX IMS 33rd 23 [22] A. J. Foyt Enterprises 40 INDY 26 DET DET TEX ROA IOW TOR MOH POC GTW WGL SNM 2018 Andretti Autosport 26 Honda STP 16 PHX 16 LBH 4 ALA 13 IMS 23 INDY 23 DET 12 DET 13 TXS 16 ROA 22 IOW 20 TOR 7 MOH 10 POC 6 GTW 5 POR 19 SNM 14 15th 313 [23] 2019 STP 14 COA 22 ALA 12 LBH 17 IMS 12 INDY 29 DET 8 DET 8 TXS 20 RDA 18 TOR 13 IOW 7 MOH 21 POC 13 GTW 14 POR 22 LAG 18 18th 271 [24] 2020 TXS 4 IMS 14 ROA 16 ROA 16 IOW 23 IOW 20 INDY 15 GTW 21 GTW 22 MOH 20 MOH 17 IMS IMS STP 21st 166 [25]

* Season still in progress.

#### Indianapolis 500

Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team 2017 Dallara Chevrolet 32 26 A. J. Foyt Enterprises 2018 Dallara Honda 25 23 Andretti Autosport 2019 Dallara Honda 28 29 Andretti Autosport 2020 Dallara Honda 17 15 Andretti Autosport

### Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results

([key](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Motorsport_driver_results_legend)) (Races in **bold** indicate pole position; races in *italics* indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Rank Points 2021 Vasser Sullivan Racing GTD Lexus RC F GT3 Lexus 5.0 L V8 DAY 13 SEB 6 MOH 2 DET WGL 11 WGL 2† LIM 10 ELK 6 LGA 10 LBH 13 VIR 13 PET 3 8th 2538

† Points only counted towards the WeatherTech Sprint Cup and not the overall GTD Championship.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Kernis, Jay. [Wednesday's intriguing people](https://web.archive.org/web/20100521032634/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/19/wednesdays-intriguing-people-10/), *CNN.com*, May 19, 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Marks, Ginger. [Veach to Release Book with the 99 Series](http://99-series.com/books-4.html#veach) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110707071351/http://99-series.com/books-4.html#veach) 2011-07-07 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *99-Series.com*, May 01, 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Atlantic: Jensen MotorSport signs 15-year-old driver](http://www.racer.com/atlantic-jensen-motorsport-signs-15-year-old-driver/article/159496/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120616093613/http://www.racer.com/atlantic-jensen-motorsport-signs-15-year-old-driver/article/159496/) 2012-06-16 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Racer*, December 11, 2009

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Atlantic Championship forced to take hiatus](http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=359227&FS=COMMENTARY)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*], *Motorsport.com*, March 03, 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Andretti Autosport re-signs Zach Veach for USF2000](http://www.racer.com/andretti-autosport-re-signs-zach-veach-for-usf2000/article/192487/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20101211122049/http://www.racer.com/andretti-autosport-re-signs-zach-veach-for-usf2000/article/192487/) 2010-12-11 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Racer Magazine*, December 09, 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Veach wins Cooper Tires Winterfest championship](http://www.racingwire.info/more-series-news/road-to-indy/usf2000/1022-usf2000-veach-wins-cooper-tires-winterfest-championship) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120316230130/http://www.racingwire.info/more-series-news/road-to-indy/usf2000/1022-usf2000-veach-wins-cooper-tires-winterfest-championship) 2012-03-16 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Racing Wire*, January 14, 2011, Retrieved 2011-09-05

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Final 2011 Points Standings](http://usf2000.com/results/2011/championship/POINTS%202011.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120330220512/http://usf2000.com/results/2011/championship/POINTS%202011.pdf) 2012-03-30 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *U.S. F2000*, Retrieved 2011-09-05

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Veach steps up to Star Mazda](http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/44706-veach-steps-up-to-star-mazda/), *IndyCar*, August 18, 2011, Retrieved 2011-09-05

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Veach joins Belardi for 2016](http://www.racer.com/road-to-indy/item/124009-indy-lights-veach-joins-belardi-for-2016) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151128041151/http://www.racer.com/road-to-indy/item/124009-indy-lights-veach-joins-belardi-for-2016) 2015-11-28 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Racer*, November 25, 2015, Retrieved 2015-12-02

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["The Official Site of the Road to Indy, Drivers, Schedule & Shop"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171117071304/https://www.indylights.com/teams-drivers/career-stats). Archived from [the original](https://www.indylights.com/teams-drivers/career-stats) on 2017-11-17. Retrieved 2017-11-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Ayello, Jim (April 18, 2017). ["Zach Veach to replace injured JR Hildebrand at Barber"](http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2017/04/18/zach-veach-replace-injured-jr-hildebrand-barber/100607390/). *Indianapolis Star*. Retrieved 2026-04-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Zach Veach ticks all the right boxes in Barber debut weekend"](http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2017/04/24/zach-veach-ticks-all-the-right-boxes-in-barber-debut-weekend/). 24 April 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Indycar Racing News | Racer.com - Veach to run Indy 500 with Foyt"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170408234844/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/139401-veach-to-run-indy-500-with-foyt). Racer.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/139401-veach-to-run-indy-500-with-foyt) on 2017-04-08. Retrieved 2017-04-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Ayello, Jim. [Zach Veach joining Andretti Autosport in 2018](http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2017/09/11/zach-veach-joining-andretti-autosport-2018/655216001/), *Indianapolis Star*, September 11, 2017, Retrieved 2017-09-12

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Pruett, Marshall. [Veach parts with Andretti ahead of Harvest GP](https://racer.com/2020/09/23/veach-parts-with-andretti-ahead-of-harvest-gp/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201023022045/https://racer.com/2020/09/23/veach-parts-with-andretti-ahead-of-harvest-gp/) 2020-10-23 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Racer.com*, September 23, 2020, Retrieved 2020-09-23

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Lexus12Lineup_16-0)** Pruett, Marshall (14 January 2021). ["Megennis joins Vasser Sullivan endurance line-up"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210114171301/https://racer.com/2021/01/14/megennis-joins-vasser-sullivan-endurance-line-up/). *racer.com*. Racer Media & Marketing Inc. Archived from [the original](https://racer.com/2021/01/14/megennis-joins-vasser-sullivan-endurance-line-up/) on 14 January 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [15 Year-Old Racer Zach Veach To Campaign For Oprah Winfrey’s No Phone Zone By Adding The Indy 500′s 33 Drivers To Her Petition](http://www.catchfence.com/2010/otherseries/05/13/15-year-old-racer-zach-veach-to-campaign-for-oprah-winfreys-no-phone-zone-by-adding-the-indy-500s-33-drivers-to-her-petition/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100520003639/http://www.catchfence.com/2010/otherseries/05/13/15-year-old-racer-zach-veach-to-campaign-for-oprah-winfreys-no-phone-zone-by-adding-the-indy-500s-33-drivers-to-her-petition/) 2010-05-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Catchfence.com*, May 13, 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [33 Indy 500 Drivers Join Oprah Winfreys No Phone Zone](http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/story-137297.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110719225928/http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/story-137297.html) 2011-07-19 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *paddocktalk.com*, June 04, 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Drell, Lauren. [Zach Veach: A 15-Year-Old Takes on Texting and Driving](http://smallbusiness.aol.com/2010/09/23/zach-veach-a-15-year-old-takes-on-texting-and-driving/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100928061000/http://smallbusiness.aol.com/2010/09/23/zach-veach-a-15-year-old-takes-on-texting-and-driving) 2010-09-28 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *AOL Small Business*, Sept. 23, 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [Racer Zach Veach Participates in National Distracted Driving Summit with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood](http://news.speedtv.com/article/0aSh5151NjdDo)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*], *SPEEDtv.com*, Sept. 21, 2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Andretti Autosport (30 October 2019). ["ZACH VEACH TO STAR IN INDIANAPOLIS OPERA'S ELIXIR OF LOVE"](https://www.andrettiautosport.com/news/zach-veach-to-star-in-indianapolis-operas-elixir-of-love). *Andretti Autosport*. Retrieved 7 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Zach Veach – 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Results"](https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/veachza01/2017/O). *Racing-Reference*. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Zach Veach – 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series Results"](https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/veachza01/2018/O). *Racing-Reference*. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Zach Veach – 2019 NTT IndyCar Series Results"](https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/veachza01/2019/O). *Racing-Reference*. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Zach Veach – 2020 NTT IndyCar Series Results"](https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/veachza01/2020/O). *Racing-Reference*. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Zach Veach](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Zach_Veach).

- [Official website](http://www.ZachVeach.com)

v t e A. J. Foyt Enterprises Headquarters: Speedway, Indiana Personnel A. J. Foyt (Owner) Larry Foyt (Team Principal) IndyCar Series (4) Caio Collet (14) Santino Ferrucci Indy NXT (4) Nicholas Monteiro (14) Alessandro de Tullio Vehicles Dallara IR-18 Dallara IL-15 (Indy NXT) Partnerships and affiliations Team Penske

v t e Ed Carpenter Racing Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana Personnel Ed Carpenter Ted Gelov Tony George Stuart Reed IndyCar Series (20) Alexander Rossi (21) Christian Rasmussen (33) Ed Carpenter

v t e Belardi Auto Racing Years active 2011–2020 Personnel Brian Belardi Former drivers Chase Austin Alexandre Baron Shelby Blackstock Chad Boat Gabby Chaves James Davison Alon Day Zachary Claman DeMelo Peter Dempsey Julien Falchero James French Juan Pablo García Jorge Goncalvez Axcil Jefferies Lucas Kohl Anders Krohn Mike Larrison Ryan Phinny Juan Piedrahita Felix Rosenqvist Giancarlo Serenelli Félix Serrallés Aaron Telitz Santiago Urrutia Zach Veach Jason Wilson Chris Windom

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Zach Veach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Veach) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_Veach?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.