HUNTER-REAY, DHL ENTER A NEW DECADE WITH ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT INDYCAR RACING
Despite early career
success, the mid-2000s were a bumpy road for Ryan Hunter-Reay who found himself
on the outside in 2006 and continued to struggle for opportunity in the few
years that followed. Then came the turn of a decade and a pivotal year in a hard-fought
racing career. In 2010, the American driver found himself in the midst of a try
out for Michael Andretti and his newly named Andretti Autosport outfit.
Hunter-Reay was set to prove himself while Andretti was looking for success as
a sole team owner, building a new brand all his own.
“As a
young driver in the sport, your aspirations are to get that shot with a
powerhouse team and establish a long and successful relationship between
driver, team and primary sponsor,” reflected Hunter-Reay. “The early years
of my career were extremely challenging. I was moving from one team to the
next. In fact, prior to my chance at Andretti Autosport, I had driven for six
different teams. In one way it was a blessing as I learned an incredible amount
from those different operations and personnel, it also gave me a deep desire
and motivation to continually strive for a chance at Andretti Autosport.”
Hunter-Reay’s
determination led to a breakout year and the accolades came quickly. He took
victory at the famed Long Beach Grand Prix and never looked back. The triumph
in California gave Andretti a first win as a sole team owner and marked
Hunter-Reay on a new map of INDYCAR racing. Taking note of Hunter-Reay’s
resurgence was global shipping and logistics company DHL.
The few-race
trial for Hunter-Reay turned into a full season ride and a primary sponsorship
from DHL, and a new era was born. “We’re now heading into my 11th season with the team and my
10th with DHL,” Hunter-Reay added. “I couldn’t ask for a better group
of people to work with, and to all involved it really does feel like a family
unit.”
“For nearly a decade, Ryan Hunter-Reay and the Andretti team have
taken DHL on an incredible journey that has engaged and energized our
employees, our customers and the many other fans who have also followed Ryan’s
successes,” said Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express Americas. “We consider Ryan and
the entire Andretti organization part of our DHL family. And, as a new
decade begins, now is the time to achieve even more success together.”
The Florida-resident
landed an Indianapolis home and established himself as one of the drivers to
beat on any of INDYCAR’s four disciplines. Hunter-Reay now holds 18 total
career victories, and the trio of Hunter-Reay, DHL and Andretti have landed 15
of those wins, a series championship and an Indy 500 victory. Together, they
enter another year of NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing, driven to build on a decade of
successes.
“Our sole
motivation is to win,” said Hunter-Reay. “I’m eager to add to my 18 career
race wins. Together we’ve won 15 races, an Indy 500 and an INDYCAR
Championship. Our mission is to add more of each.”
WATCH #AllAndretti All Access: RHR here.