Hunter-Reay was back at home on the 2.5-mile oval for Thursday’s test. Photo: IndyCar
Ryan Hunter-Reay stepped away from full time IndyCar racing at the end of the 2021 season, after having driven there for 15 years.
He never fully left the paddock that he knows so well, and has been coaching other drivers in the year since he climbed out of the cockpit himself.
On Thursday, he got a chance to get behind the wheel again at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, turning his first laps in the Dreyer and Reinbold Racing Chevy that he will pilot for this year’s Indy 500.
After completing a few mandatory refresher laps to get reacquainted with the high speeds, Hunter-Reay was allowed to run full out on the track that gave him his best win at the 2014 Indy 500.
Those laps at over 220 MPH immediately put a grin on the 42-year-old’s face, and he was able to settle back in the groove like he never left.
“The first proper run out, felt like a kid going down a ramp, that feeling of just pure excitement,” said Hunter-Reay. “It was great. I absolutely couldn’t wait to do it.
“The team has done a great job preparing these cars. Really happy to be joining Team Chevy again. We have a lot of great history together not only the sports car side with GM, Cadillac and everything, but winning a championship together back in 2012.
“I have a lot of good friends there. Look forward to working with them. It’s something that I’m definitely going to take the time and make the most of.
“Working with the team, it’s been excellent. Today we were going through some pretty big-ticket stuff, big-ticket items with the wind and everything. With the starting that refresher deal was really strange, I didn’t like that part. Wanted to get through that as fast as possible. Like eating your vegetables as a kid. Not fun, but got through it fast.
“Yeah, after that, I had a blast!”
Hunter-Reay talking with his Dreyer and Reinbold engineer between on track runs. Photo: IndyCar
Hunter-Reay completed 103 total laps throughout the test day, completing his best lap at an average speed of 224.963 MPH.
The second day of testing was rained out, but he was still able to give the team plenty of data to improve the car before the official Month of May sessions get under way next month.
Hunter-Reay will be driving the #23 entry in this year’s Indy 500 on May 28, and will have Stefan Wilson as his team-mate in the #24.
Keyword: After a year away from IndyCar, Hunter-Reay found ‘pure excitement’ at IMS