Ryan Hunter-Reay to race with AJ Foyt Racing at Indianapolis 500 - IndyCar news
Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay will be racing with AJ Foyt Racing in this weekend’s Indianapolis 500.
After swapping the seat with Bruno Junqueira, Hunter-Reay will be in the race aboard the AJ Foyt Racing machine.
Originally, the driver of Andretti Autosport, Ryan Hunter-Reay was knocked out of the last week’s qualifiers by his teammate owner Marco Andretti by the end of the Bump Day.
As per the Indianapolis 500 regulations, teams can trade the drivers after qualifying rounds with the cars moved to the back end of the field.
According to the disqualification of Ryan Hunter-Reay, Michael Andretti and AJ Foyt teams have made up a deal to move Hunter-Reay and his sponsors into the seat of Junqueira’s car. The Brazilian has qualified his car in 18th place for the event.
Now the machine will be carrying sponsors of both Andretti and AJ Foyt on its livery.
Hunter-Reay said, “There has been an incredible range of emotion these past few days. Commercial decisions and corporate support are what makes it possible for both of our teams to compete and this was a commercially driven decision.”
He also added that it is not a new thing to happen in the Indy 500 history but still it felt unpleasant to get in the seat of Bruno as he continued praising his efforts for the qualifying status.
Hunter-Reay was in the league of AJ Foyt Racing drivers in late 2009. In that season, he took the place of injured Vitor Meira. Hunter’s previous team Vision Racing went dry with funds which made his shift possible.
Foyt said it was necessary to get a helping hand to the Andretti team in the present situation.
Foyt, while commenting on the occasion said, “We've been competitors for many years but still it's the kind of relationship when someone is really down and out, you can't turn your back on them - at least I can't.”
AJ Foyt Racing driver Meira will be starting the race at 11th place on the grid. On the other side Andretti Autosport also include John Andretti, Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti.
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