ECR has confirmed Hunter McElrea because the workforce’s first official reserve driver.
An American-born New Zealander, McElrea will journey with ECR on race weekends and, if wanted, be on standby for the workforce’s two full-time entries. He can even assist the workforce’s on-track testing program, in addition to full simulation work on Chevrolet’s Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator.
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“I’m actually excited to hitch ECR as a reserve driver. The workforce has nice momentum and I’m trying ahead to being a part of it,” acknowledged McElrea. “The NTT IndyCar Sequence has all the time been my purpose, so I’m grateful for the chance and able to assist ECR nonetheless I can!”
McElrea, the runner-up for the 2023 Indy NXT title, has taken half in a number of exams behind the wheel of an ECR Chevrolet-powered entry (November, 2024; February, 2026). His lone IndyCar Sequence debut got here in 2024 with Dale Coyne Racing, the place he completed twenty fourth after contact ended his day early.
Along with his newly-labeled position with ECR, McElrea additionally competes often within the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with United Autosports USA. He most lately captured an LMP2 class win within the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring final week. He’s additionally a two-time IMSA Endurance Cup champion, together with being a two-time class winner at Petit Le Mans.
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“Securing a reserve driver has been one thing that we’ve mentioned over the past yr,” stated Ed Carpenter, CEO and co-owner of ECR.
“With the competitiveness of the NTT IndyCar Sequence now, you actually must be ready for any situation. Hunter has accomplished two exams for us over the past a number of years and had impressed the entire workforce. We’re excited to have him with ECR and prepared within the occasion we want a fill in.”
Tim Broyles, President of ECR, added, “Having a reserve driver in place is a vital step in sustaining the extent of efficiency required on this collection. Hunter has executed an ideal job when we’ve had him within the automobile for testing. He has a extremely sturdy really feel for the automobile and is ready to present detailed suggestions that helps transfer the complete workforce ahead.
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“When you by no means need to be able the place you must name on a reserve driver, we’re assured Hunter would step in and rise to the event.”
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