Ryan Hunter-Reay is no stranger to the glitz and glory of the Indianapolis 500, having claimed the Borg-Warner Trophy in 2014 by the slimmest of margins. Come May 2026, he’ll be back behind the wheel, this time in the No. 31 Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren, a move that’s fueling excitement for both driver and team.
Hunter-Reay’s arrival gives Arrow McLaren more than just a fourth competitive car for the legendary race. It adds a wellspring of knowledge, strategic insight, and composure that only a veteran with nearly 400 IndyCar starts and 18 wins can offer. The 44-year-old “Captain America” is known not just for his driving but for mentoring the up-and-comers on any team, and his presence promises to uplift full-time drivers Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard.
This partnership comes off the heels of Hunter-Reay’s gutsy 2025 Indy 500 run, where he fought his way from 24th on the grid to lead 48 laps before being sidelined by fuel issues. That near miss sharpened his hunger to seize the prize again.
Arrow McLaren’s team principal Tony Kanaan, himself a former Champ Car and Indy 500 winner, praises Hunter-Reay as the perfect fit for this project, emphasizing how vital experience is in a race where seconds — and sagas — hang in the balance.
For Hunter-Reay, this isn’t just a cameo; he’s primed to punch for his second Indy 500 crown. For Arrow McLaren, it marks a strategic shot at their first, backed by a proven winner who knows every nuance of Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s asphalt hymn.
With Hunter-Reay's skill and Arrow McLaren's resources firing on all cylinders, the 2026 Indy 500 promises to be a showdown with more stakes and stories than ever. This pairing could well reshape the narrative of this historic race for years to come.
