Ryan Hunter-Reay is back on a full-time basis in IndyCar with Ed Carpenter Racing.
The former Indy 500 (2014) and IndyCar champion (2012) last appeared on circuit at the 500 in late May in a one-off entry with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. He finished in P11 that day.
Photo credit: Penske Entertainment | Joe Skibinski
The 42-year-old left Andretti Autosport at the end of the 2021 season after twelve seasons together and didn’t get a seat on the grid last year or this.
However, following the news of Conor Daly’s split with the team after last weekend’s Detroit GP, Ed Carpenter Racing have moved quickly to announce the 16-time IndyCar race winner.
Admitting he was surprised to get a call from Ed Carpenter about the seat, Hunter-Reay knows he faces a massive challenge on his return as he hasn’t competed on a road or street course in nearly two years. Nonetheless, he is confident in his ability.
“I was surprised when I got the call from Ed. He described how frustrated he was that his team has not been able to realize its potential despite their efforts, investments, as well as technical and personnel changes over the past few years and asked for my help.
“Ed and I are very close friends and have been for a long time. I’ve worked with the team in the past and they are a very talented group with high expectations and a committed partner in BITNILE.COM.
“This will certainly be a challenge for me as well. It’s a tough situation jumping in a car in the middle of the season without any testing in what I believe to be the most competitive series in the world. Certainly, part of my motivation in saying ‘yes’ to Ed is the great challenge ahead. The last time I turned right driving an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car was in October of 2021 with this team at Barber.
“However, I remain very confident in both my driving and technical abilities and believe by working with the talented people at ECR and Team Chevy, while representing BITNILE.COM, we will make progress. I am going to do everything I can do to help the team achieve its long-term objectives.”
Ed Carpenter is happy to welcome his fellow American to the team and believes his technical abilities and feedback will be invaluable to a team that has struggled for pace outside the Indy 500 in recent times.
“We need to improve our competitiveness and I wanted to add a fresh perspective from a driver like Ryan who has a massive amount of experience and success as well as a reputation as a team leader. I am excited to welcome Ryan to the team.
“We have worked together in the past as teammates and he tested for ECR at Barber Motorsports Park in October 2021, where he made an immediate impact as we were able to qualify one of our cars on the pole following that test. I am confident that his experience and technical abilities will be an asset to ECR as we move forward toward our goals as a team.”
Photo credit: Penske Entertainment | Chris Owens
