Ryan Hunter-Reay is back in the spotlight for the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." The 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2012 IndyCar Series champion will join Arrow McLaren for the 110th running of the Indy 500 in May 2026. This isn’t just a comeback ride; it’s a shot at history for Hunter-Reay personally and for Arrow McLaren as they chase their maiden victory at Indianapolis.
Hunter-Reay, nicknamed "Captain America," arrives loaded with experience and pedigree. Over 21 seasons, he has made nearly 400 IndyCar starts, racking up 18 wins and 47 podiums. He’s no stranger to the Brickyard drama, coming agonizingly close in recent years, including a gutsy 2025 run where he led 48 laps from a P24 start before a cruel fuel issue dashed his hopes.
Arrow McLaren's team principal Tony Kanaan, a 2013 Indy 500 winner himself, sees Hunter-Reay as the perfect addition to their four-car lineup. Alongside full-timers Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard, Hunter-Reay’s blend of grit, guile, and raw speed makes him a formidable contender. The team has a strong tradition of tapping legends for Indy, previously hosting stars like Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Kyle Larson for select runs.
For Hunter-Reay, it’s a return to the chase after a near-miss in 2025 pushed him to the edge. His razor-thin win in 2014, by just 0.600 seconds over Helio Castroneves, remains one of the closest finishes ever. This time, the stakes are high, the hunger real, and the opportunity with Arrow McLaren ripe.
Come May, all eyes will be on the No. 31 car as Hunter-Reay looks to reignite that winning fire and finally deliver Arrow McLaren’s first Indianapolis 500 crown. If anyone’s ready to patrol the Brickyard with experience and fire, it’s him.
