Ryan Hunter-Reay will be a part of Arrow McLaren for the 2026 Indianapolis 500, finishing the crew’s four-car lineup for the one hundred and tenth operating of the occasion.
The 2014 Indy 500 winner and 2012 IndyCar Collection champion will drive the No. 31 Chevrolet alongside full-time drivers Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel and Christian Lundgaard.
Arrow McLaren continues its custom of including a high-profile fourth entry for the Indy 500, having beforehand fielded stars akin to Fernando Alonso (2017, 2020), Juan Pablo Montoya (2021, 2022), Tony Kanaan (2023) and the lately topped NASCAR Cup Collection champion Kyle Larson in 2024 and 2025.
Having competed for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing within the Indianapolis 500 over the past three years, Hunter-Reay impressed within the 2025 version of the race, charging from twenty fourth to steer 48 laps earlier than a gas challenge derailed his late-race hopes.
Now with Arrow McLaren in 2026 and behind the wheel of the No. 31 automotive, Hunter-Reay will return to the quantity he utilized in his IndyCar debut — then within the CART Collection — in 2003, driving for American Spirit Staff Johansson.
A confirmed winner at Indianapolis
Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Auto Sport celebrates with the normal bottle of milk in Victory Circle after profitable the 98th operating of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
Picture by: Michael C. Johnson
Hunter-Reay gained the Indy 500 for Andretti Autosport in one of many closest finishes in occasion historical past in 2014, as his margin of victory over Helio Castroneves was simply 0.060 seconds — the second-narrowest ever recorded. He had been near placing his palms on the Borg-Warner Trophy the yr earlier than, when he led laps 193 by way of 197 earlier than in the end ending third behind Kanaan, now Arrow McLaren’s Staff Principal.
Hunter-Reay, who will flip 45 subsequent December, brings greater than 20 years of expertise to the papaya squad, with 395 profession begins, 18 victories and 47 podiums since his arrival in IndyCar.
The Floridian can be aiming to qualify for his 18th begin in “The Biggest Spectacle in Racing.” He’ll even be certainly one of solely 5 lively drivers to have each an IndyCar championship and an Indy 500 win to his identify, becoming a member of Alex Palou, Will Energy, Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden.
“That is an unimaginable alternative in so some ways. I’d like to specific my gratitude to Zak, Tony and the remainder of the Arrow McLaren administration crew for pursuing this partnership and making it a actuality”, Hunter-Reay stated. “It’s an honor to signify and drive for some of the iconic groups in motorsports historical past, a corporation that spares no effort or useful resource within the pursuit of being the on the pinnacle of the game and naturally, profitable the Indy 500. After coming so agonizingly near a shot on the win in final yr’s 500, I’m past primed and able to make absolutely the most of this partnership.”
Staff principal Tony Kanaan, who captured the Indy 500 in 2013 and now leads the Arrow McLaren effort, stated Hunter-Reay’s observe report makes him the best addition to the crew’s expanded entry.
“Ryan is a good addition to the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Staff and simply who we would like in that fourth automotive this coming Could alongside Pato, Nolan and Christian. He’s an Indy 500 champion – and should you have a look at our historical past at McLaren – that is the explanation we discipline a fourth automotive, to have yet one more contender within the combine. He’s a confirmed winner, and we all know he could have a powerful probability to win this historic occasion. Ryan is without doubt one of the greatest teammates I’ve ever had, and we’re very excited to get began with him and have him a part of our crew into subsequent Could.”
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