A Champion’s One-Off Return to Chase Indy 500 Glory Again

The 2026 Indianapolis 500 is still months away, but already the storylines are beginning to form, and few are as compelling as the return of 2014 Indy 500 winner and 2012 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay, who will take the wheel for Arrow McLaren in a one-off entry for the 110th Running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”.

Announced officially today on November 13, 2025, Veterans Day, Hunter-Reay will pilot the No. 31 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, a number that holds special meaning, it was the same number he debuted with in the Champ Car Series back in 2003. But more than a number, this move is a reunion, a continuation, and potentially a redemption arc nearly a year in the making.

A Friendship Rekindled, A Partnership Formed

The genesis of this deal is as authentic as it gets in the racing world. After a heartbreaking near-miss in the 2025 Indy 500, where Hunter-Reay ran at the front late in the race before being forced to retire with mechanical issues, he was quietly packing up his motorhome the next morning, drained, disappointed, and alone with his thoughts.

That’s when Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti walked over. Kanaan, himself a former teammate of Hunter-Reay at Andretti Autosport and now Arrow McLaren’s team principal, simply asked: “Do you really need to be doing this?”

What began as a heartfelt conversation between three champions turned into something more. Kanaan tucked the moment away, and months later, when Arrow McLaren decided to run a fourth entry at Indy again, this time needing someone with elite experience, he knew exactly who to call. The rest moved quickly: “We had three days to do it,” said Kanaan. “And we made it happen.”

Hunter-Reay’s Take: Why Now, Why McLaren?

For Hunter-Reay, this isn’t just another race or a chance to cling to past glory. It’s a deeply personal return to the race that defined him. “This place matters so much to me,” he said. “To have a shot at a win like that is everything.”

The chance to do it with Arrow McLaren only sweetens the deal. “The atmosphere here, the trend, the trajectory, is just incredible,” he added. “They’ve been one of the best teams at Indy the past few years. I’m thrilled to be a part of it and contribute in any way I can.”

From the moment he walked into Arrow McLaren’s shop, it felt like home. Familiar faces from past teams, engineering collaborations, and even long-time friends now make up the very backbone of the McLaren INDYCAR operation. “It’s like I know 70% of the team already,” Hunter-Reay said with a smile.

Experience and Purpose: The Secret Weapons at Indy

Hunter-Reay is not just a legacy signing. He is still fast, savvy, and, as shown by his run in the 2025 race, dangerously close to taking another sip from the milk bottle at Indy. His experience isn’t just resume padding, it’s a tactical advantage.

“I don’t believe in coincidences,” said Kanaan. “There’s a reason veterans do well at Indy. That place, it messes with your head. Experience helps you block all that. You’ve got to run it a few times to understand it.”

For his part, Hunter-Reay agreed. “It’s the toughest race to win. It requires finesse and aggression, but knowing when and how to use them. That only comes with experience. Indy isn’t like any other track. It demands depth.”

Last year, Hunter-Reay ran smart and quiet, until suddenly, he wasn’t quiet anymore. After a complex strategic race, his Dreyer & Reinbold entry emerged in contention late. “It looked like I just appeared,” he said. “But it was down to strategy. We were there. It just didn’t get noticed until the end.”

That day still burns in his memory. “We came up short by maybe an eighth of a mile of fuel. We could’ve pitted a lap earlier and still had the same result. Indy is cruel like that.”

From Teammates to Teamboss & Driver

The chemistry between Kanaan and Hunter-Reay goes back to 2010, when the two were teammates at Andretti. Their synergy was immediate. “I’ll never forget our test at Sebring,” said Hunter-Reay. “Within hours, we realized, we drive the same way, we want the same setup, we just clicked.”

That partnership helped pull Andretti Autosport out of a slump, and the two remained close even as their careers diverged. Now reunited, but on different sides of the garage, the mutual respect still defines their relationship.

“It’s surreal that he’s my boss now,” laughed Hunter-Reay. “But he’s been bossing me around for two days already, so I guess I better get used to it.”

Kanaan, ever the motivator, is dead serious about what Hunter-Reay brings. “I need a guy that can win the Indy 500. There aren’t many available. I didn’t need to think twice. Ryan was the one.”

Not Just a One-Off: An Integrated Role at Arrow McLaren

Though officially a one-off race deal for the Indy 500, the reality is that Hunter-Reay is already heavily involved with Arrow McLaren. “He’s not a rental,” said Kanaan. “He’s part of this team. He’ll be doing sim work, development, supporting our full-time drivers, he’s already contributing.”

Hunter-Reay confirmed the same: “I don’t want to just show up. I want to be integrated. I want to better this program however I can.”

That includes mentorship. The McLaren roster is rich in young talent, drivers like Pato O’Ward and Nolan Siegel, and having someone like RHR in the debrief room is invaluable. “When you’re younger, you don’t always see the benefit of sharing,” he said. “But at Indy, that’s different. You want strong teammates. It raises the whole team’s level.”

The Legacy of the Fourth Car

The No. 31 car comes with pressure. It’s the seat that was occupied in recent years by legends like Juan Pablo Montoya and Kyle Larson and the expectations are sky-high. But Hunter-Reay isn’t concerned with the spotlight.

“I don’t really look at it like that. I just focus on the job,” he said. “The team is loaded with talent, from management to engineers to crew. My job is to fit in and do what I know how to do.”

Still, he acknowledges the honor. “To be with Arrow McLaren, one of the most iconic teams in motorsport, it means a lot.”

Eyes on 2026, But Maybe Beyond?

Is this really just a one-time return? Officially, yes. But according to Kanaan, the door is wide open. “It’s a multi-year deal in spirit,” he said. “If he wins, he’s coming back. If he doesn’t win, he can decide. It’s up to him.”

For Hunter-Reay, the focus is entirely on 2026. “I reevaluate every year,” he explained. “But if I’m not 100%, I won’t do it. You can’t go to Indy and be at 99%. That’s not fair to the team or to yourself.”

Until then, his mind is clear, his fire is lit, and his focus is singular.

“We’re not here to participate,” Hunter-Reay said. “We’re here to win. That’s it. Eyes on the prize.”

In many ways, Ryan Hunter-Reay’s 2026 Indy 500 return is the perfect encapsulation of what the race represents: legacy, heartbreak, passion, and the never-ending pursuit of glory. He’s not here for a farewell tour. He’s here to win, and maybe, just maybe, to add one more Borg-Warner Trophy to his already stellar career.

And in a place like Indianapolis, where legends are made and dreams are crushed in equal measure, having a warrior like Hunter-Reay back in the field is a story every race fan should be paying attention to.

written by Philipp Kraus / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment & Arrow Mclaren