Ryan Hunter-Reay originally failed to qualify for the 2011 Indy 500 when teammate Marco Andretti bested him, but after some phone calls Andretti Autosport purchased Bruno Junqueira’s No. 41 car. Hunter-Reay will move to the back of the field for his fourth career Indy 500 start.
Indy 500 Lineup Preview: Ryan Hunter-Reay Looks To Improve On 2010’s 18th Place Finish
After joining the IndyCar series midway through the 2007 season, Hunter-Reay captured the IndyCar Rookie of the Year Award and then participated in his first Indianapolis 500 in 2008. He finished sixth overall, which led to him winning the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Award (IndyCar rules allowed this since he only had not raced in the 2007 Indy 500).
That would be his best finish in his three races. In 2009, a crash on lap 20 ended his day and placed him 32nd overall. In 2010, Hunter-Reay was involved in a collision with Mike Conway, whose car flipped and caused Conway a broken left leg, at the very end of the race. Hunter-Reay finished 18th overall.
For more on the race, stay with our 2011 Indy 500 StoryStream. Be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for all things IndyCar, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
See More:
