Ed Carpenter Racing has announced that Ryan Hunter-Reay will drive the team’s #20 entry for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Hunter-Reay last raced full time in the 2021 IndyCar season, after having a successful 10-year stint with Andretti Autosport that saw him win a championship and an Indy 500.
The 42-year-old climbed back behind the wheel last month to compete in the Indy 500, and has now been called in to replace a departing Conor Daly at ECR.
Hunter-Reay will have the BitNile sponsorship on his car, which is a sponsor that Daly brought to the team at the start of the 2022 season.
“I was surprised when I got the call from Ed [Carpenter],” said Hunter-Reay. “He described how frustrated he was that his team has not been able to realize its potential despite their efforts, investments, as well as technical and personnel changes over the past few years and asked for my help.
“Ed and I are very close friends and have been for a long time. I’ve worked with the team in the past and they are a very talented group with high expectations and a committed partner in BitNile.com.
“This will certainly be a challenge for me as well. It’s a tough situation jumping in a car in the middle of the season without any testing in what I believe to be the most competitive series in the world.
“Certainly, part of my motivation in saying ‘yes’ to Ed is the great challenge ahead. The last time I turned right driving an NTT IndyCar Series car was in October of 2021 with this team at Barber.
“However, I remain very confident in both my driving and technical abilities and believe by working with the talented people at ECR and Team Chevy, while representing BitNile.com, we will make progress. I am going to do everything I can do to help the team achieve its long-term objectives.”
Hunter-Reay will race alongside Rinus VeeKay in the #21, and team owner Ed Carpenter in the #33 at the remaining oval races on the calendar.
Collectively, ECR’s best results this season have been at the Indy 500 when the team’s drivers finished eighth, 10th, and 20th. Aside from that race, there have been many disappointing results, with no other top 10s being scored.
Hunter-Reay’s first race with the team will be in just over one weeks’ time at the newly repaved Road America.
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