Zach Veach will make his IndyCar debut at this weekend’s third round of the season at the Barber Motorsports Park, after J. R. Hildebrand was ruled out through injury.
Indy Lights graduate Veach was set to make his debut with Foyt at next month’s Indianapolis 500, but has now been drafted in by Ed Carpenter Racing to deputise for Hildebrand.
Hildebrand sustained a broken bone in his left hand in a last-lap collision with Mikhail Aleshin at the preceding Long Beach round, and has been advised to rest in order to prevent potential further damage.
Veach previously tested for ECR at Sonoma last summer and will now link up with Spencer Pigot for this weekend’s event at Barber.
“My heart goes out to him as I suffered a broken hand a couple years ago and I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone,” Veach said of Hildebrand.
“This isn’t how any driver wants to get his first race but with that said, I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to sub for JR.
“Ed (Carpenter) gave me my first chance to test an Indy car a few months ago. It’s going to be very special for me to be back in that same car representing Fuzzy’s Vodka at Barber.
“It’s going to be a lot to take in in a short amount of time, but I’m really excited to do the best I can for the team.”
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