2012 Trackside - IZOD IndyCar Series Media Site - IndyCar.com

He raced sports cars and was a test driver for the Hendrick’s stock car program – anything to keep his
name at the forefront of prospective employers. That call came from Bobby Rahal in July 2007, and
Hunter-Reay’s return to Indy car racing came at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course a few weeks later.
Despite running a limited schedule for then-Rahal Letterman Racing, Hunter-Reay received the Rookie of
the Year award (four top-10 finishes in six races). In ’08, he finished sixth in his first Indianapolis 500
and won at Watkins Glen International.
“I kept at it, made sure I was at the racetrack putting a good face on and telling everybody that would
listen that I'm ready to go if you want to drop me in the seat,” he said. “I talked to Bobby Rahal early in
'06 and early in '07 and told him if you ever need somebody last minute to jump in and go, go, go, I'm
there for you.
“And I got the call middle of the way through the '07 season, and I really credit Bobby for that. He
brought me back into Indy car racing.”
Added Rahal: “Ninety percent of being successful in racing is having the fortitude, commitment and drive
to keep going, no matter what.”
But just when momentum appeared to be on his side, sponsorship evaporated with the Rahal team. Tony
George’s Vision Racing team offered Hunter-Reay a six-race lifeline to start the 2009 season, and he then
moved to A.J. Foyt Racing to fill out the season after Vitor Meira suffered fractured vertebrae in the Indy
500. After the October finale, Hunter-Reay again was looking for a long-term commitment.
Andretti Autosport offered Hunter-Reay one of its cars alongside Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick. A
victory on the streets of Long Beach spurred full-season sponsorship from IZOD, and he’s been a
versatile performer in the intervening events.
Now he’s also the champion – the first American Indy car title-holder since Hornish.
“This is just amazing,” he said as the TV crew packs up. “This is what racing is about, what sports are
about. I've always looked up to the American drivers when I first started this whole deal as a fan of the
IndyCar Series. Before I raced go-karts I followed the American greats. That really appealed to me.
“Now here I am on the other side, and I see these kids that are looking up to us drivers. It's so cool being
on the other side of it all. I feel like I'm up against the best in the world. It's just amazing to get it done.”
Hunter-Reay will make his 50th Indy car start with Andretti Autosport in the 2013 season opener and an
immediate goal is an Indianapolis 500 triumph.
“Indy is the big one for sure,” he says. “A championship is big, but Indianapolis is massive. That’s what
we’re gunning for and hopefully we’ll be fighting right up there on the front row like this year and win
it.”