Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Reay will race in this Sunday's Indianapolis 500 after his team reached an agreement with AJ Foyt Racing for him to replace Bruno Junqueira.
Hunter-Reay was left without a drive in the 200-lap race after he was bumped at the last minute by teammate Marco Andretti, which would have left him alongside fellow Andretti Autosport driver Mike Conway on the sidelines, however, due to race rules Hunter-Reay will now driver the No. 28 car with a Foyt/Andretti livery from the back of the field, despite Junqueira qualifying in 18th place.
Speaking of the move, Hunter-Raey said: "There has been an incredible range of emotion these past few days...I know this is not the first time this has happened in Indy 500 history but I feel terrible for Bruno and I thank him for his efforts and I hope he understands."
Despite the rivalry that is shared between Foyt Racing and Andretti, Foyt accepted that some situations require perspective: "We've been competitors for many years but still it's the kind of relationship when someone is really down and out, you can't turn your back on them - at least I can't."
Hunter-Reay had previously driven for the Foyt team in the backend of 2009, after Vision Racing (his then team) ran low on funds. However, the decision has not been met well by Indycar fans, with comments such as " Bump day? Why bother!" and " The integrity of the greatest spectacle in racing has been compromised.".
Whilst the move is set to stick, what appears to be the right move for Andretti Autosport, Foyt Racing and Ryan Hunter-Reay may end up damaging the history and legacy of the Indianapolis 500, especially given that this year's race will mark a hundred years since the first race at the Brickyard.
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