Dryer & Reinbold Racing – Cusick Motorsport has just announced their lineup for the 109th running of the Indy 500, following the double qualification and the top 10 finish achieved in 2024 by Conor Daly.
2014 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay has been retained for the upcoming edition as well. Following a positive start from P12, his race ended abruptly in the early stages as he spun out after making contact with Scott Dixon.
The former Andretti and Ed Carpenter Racing driver is extremely pleased to rejoin forces with the team after the past year, setting an incredibly high bar for him and D&RR-CM as goal for the race.
“No doubt. It’s been a fantastic time that I spent with this team. Ever since the beginning, since we first got together a few years ago, just really enjoyed. Like I’ve been saying, I really enjoyed the people there. That was the biggest thing for me, to really surround myself with some great folks.
“We all have the same agenda, right? That’s to win the Indy 500. We’re not there simply to participate. Last year, being the only Indy-only effort, getting into the Fast 12 was a huge accomplishment. Unfortunately we had some suspension damage on lap three, so it was a long day after that.”
The veteran driver will team up with former Dale Coyne Racing driver Jack Harvey, who has a best Indy 500 finish of P9. The talented British driver is excited for the chance to return competing for a place in the most illustrious American round after missing out on it in the past 2024 season:
“It’s a dream honestly. I know people say that. It’s not frivolous. Getting any opportunity to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for any driver I think is elite level. It doesn’t get better than that. I’ve always had so much respect for Dennis and the entire team as competitors for many years. Only recently been able to kind of develop that relationship.”
He admitted to being quite insistent in pursuing a spot in Dreyer’s team, but ultimately it was a successful move, he reckoned:
“I don’t know if I’d exactly say I was pestering him. Maybe he’d need to answer that. It was maybe getting close. I just really wanted to be a part of this program. That’s the bottom line. I really felt like we go into Indy, have a really strong month of May. For me and the partners that are going to be announced, that was our primary objective.
“I was thrilled when the conversation started to develop and continued to develop. Actually in the end it came together very quickly. But the common denominator already from signing to now, how many people have told me they’re going to enjoy the atmosphere in the team. I’ve been in there nearly every day in the last, I don’t know, week or so already getting familiar with everybody. It’s already been that way.”
Harvey is also looking forward to the chance of partnering with the 500 champ.
“Feel like I’m just joining an absolutely fantastic race team but also really great people. To be teammates again with Ryan from our time previously is great. Actually, Ryan won the 500, the first 500, I ever attended. I’ve always found him to be very generous with his time and mentorship. It feels like a really great fit.”
Captain America as well is glad to be working with the British talent, highlighting the importance of the great amount of work ahead of them:
“We were strong all month. We’ve been strong each year we’ve partnered up together. Again, I’m looking forward to another opportunity with the same group. I’m really looking forward to working with Jack again. It was great news having Jack join us.
“I was explaining to him the atmosphere within the team, how much he’s going to love it. He’s going to have fun. Granted, we have a lot of work ahead obviously with the new hybrid, the different weight distribution, the differences with how the car handled at the test.
“There’s a lot coming for us, a lot we have to work on and have been working on. This group is as hungry as any team I’ve ever been with. It’s just a great group of people. I’m looking forward to getting back on track in May.”
Team Owner Dennis Reinbold broke down how this driver duo was born, recalling the dynamics fo their signing for the upcoming Indy 500.
“We began talking with Ryan right after the 500 last year. Actually did a test in October I think, at Indy, a couple days with him as well. We knew we were going that direction with Ryan putting the deal together to come back. We’ll release some sponsor details later on. For today, we wanted to talk about Ryan as well as Jack.
“We have been talking to Jack some time, followed his career obviously, being in the paddock next to him. His reputation as a great guy and a great driver. We’re excited to bring him in. Ryan, this is our third year, so he knows the situation with us. We’re familiar, so he’s pretty turn-key, plug-and-play. Jack living locally here in north side of Indianapolis, we’ll have him in the shop and get up to speed in no time with him.”
Team Owner Don Cusick as well commented on the driver announcement in the second year of the partnership with D&R:
“I’m always super excited about being a part of the 500. To have Ryan and Jack is great. Having Ryan back, of course, we know what he can do. We saw what he can do. Having Jack in the team is really awesome.
“They’re both great guys. They’ll be great for the partners that we bring onboard. Obviously super accomplished race car drivers. We’re looking forward to it. Can’t wait,” he concluded.
