Two years after leaving the IndyCar Series, Ryan Hunter-Reay is set to return for another crack at motorsport’s most iconic oval race – the Indianapolis 500.
Hunter-Reay, who won the IndyCar Series in 2012, will not return with the Andretti Autosport outfit that he became synonymous with.
Instead, he’ll join Indianapolis 500 specialists Dreyer & Reinbold to contest the famed 200-lapper at The Brickyard.
Stan Sport is the only place to watch the 2023 IndyCar Series, beginning March 6 AEDT. All the action streaming ad-free, live and on demand
‘Captain America’ will carry No.23 in the ‘Greatest Spectacle In Racing’ for the month of May.
The American, who has 18 race wins to his name, returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the only intention of winning.
“I’ve been eager to share this news for quite some time,” said Hunter-Reay.
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“This partnership with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing presents a unique opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get back on track at IMS.
“I feel laser-focused and energised. The Indy 500 isn’t just a motor race, for me, it’s a way of life.
“I was incredibly attracted to the fact that DRR is a streamlined program that puts all of its energy into the month of May.
“I guess you can say I’m going back to my roots, considering how I started my IndyCar career with smaller teams that took the fight to the bigger efforts and won.
“If you look at DRR’s record at Indy and their impressive recent results, the pool of talented engineers and crew; it’s a perfect fit.”
Hunter-Reay’s return comes after an unceremonious departure from the IndyCar Series when he was replaced at the end of 2021 by ex-Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean.
Hunter-Reay will be partnered by Stefan Wilson, who will carry No.24 on his car.
The Brit is the brother of Justin Wilson, who died in an IndyCar race in 2015.
Stefan’s entry in this year’s Indianapolis 500 marks a reunion of sorts for the Wilson family.
Justin drove for Dreyer & Reinbold in 2010 and 2011, finishing seventh and 16th in his two Indianapolis 500 attempts with the team.
“There’s history here with this team,” Stefan said.
“Justin spent two years with DRR back in 2010-2011 and secured podiums.
“I got to know Dennis (Reinbold), Brett De Bord (director of commercial operations) and Chase Selman (general manager) really well back then, so it feels great to be re-joining them in a sense.”
Founded in 1999, Dreyer & Reinbold last contested a full IndyCar Series campaign in 2014.
Since then, the team has focused on limited entries with a particular focus on the Indianapolis 500.
In 2012, Oriol Servia delivered the team its best finish with fourth.
The team comes into the 2023 edition of the race off the back of two top 10 finishes with Sage Karam and Santino Ferrucci.
This year’s Indianapolis 500 takes place on May 29.
The 2023 IndyCar Series continues on April 2-3 at Texas Motor Speedway, with practice, qualifying, and the 250-lap race all live, ad-free, and exclusively on Stan Sport.
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