Ryan Hunter-Reay will compete with Andretti Autosport during the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season with Phillips-Van Heusen's IZOD brand as the primary sponsor of the No. 37 entry.
Hunter-Reay's schedule is still in development, but will include the Indianapolis 500 and races before and after the May 30 event.
"Joining a team of Andretti Autosport's caliber has been my goal for the entire 16 years of my racing career and being able to strengthen my ties to everyone at IZOD through this effort is tremendous," said Hunter-Reay, who turned 29 on Dec. 17. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I am ready to give 120 percent to the program."
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The Floridian had a high finish of second in the 2009 season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., for Vision Racing. He moved to A.J. Foyt Racing in June as a replacement for the injured Vitor Meira, posting a best finish of fourth at Mid-Ohio. He'll be the fourth driver on the grid for Andretti Autosport (the former Andretti Green Racing), which is solely owned by Michael Andretti, joining Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick and Tony Kanaan.
"I have never met a group of people who are more determined to win races, and especially the Indianapolis 500, than the people I am working with at Andretti Autosport," said Hunter-Reay, who was the 2008 Chase Rookie of the Year in the Indianapolis 500. "When the folks around you share the same enthusiasm and determination you do the prospect for success is high, which is why, Andretti Autosport is one of the winningest teams in IZOD IndyCar Series history.
"Michael Andretti is as hungry to win races today as he has ever been and it is an honor and a privilege to drive for the same person I looked up to as a young karter."
Hunter-Reay also claimed the 2007 IZOD IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year award despite joining the series in midseason. In '03, Hunter-Reay became the first American rookie in 20 years to win an Indy car race when he took the checkers at Surfers Paradise, Australia.
"We are excited about what we've put together with PVH and Ryan, and believe we can grow this program substantially over the next several months," Andretti said. "We felt it was important to announce what we know and what we've secured, which is a great partnership under the IZOD brand name and a program that we feel will give Ryan a good shot of winning at Indianapolis. How far we take him into 2010 is still in the works, but we feel good about the potential that we will add Ryan to our driver lineup for the full season."
The announcement deepens the relationship between IZOD and Hunter-Reay, which dates to the 2008 season and Hunter-Reay's first IZOD IndyCar Series victory at Watkins Glen International with Rahal Letterman Racing.
"Our new partnership with Andretti Autosport gives the No. 37 IZOD car the best possible chance of winning the 2010 Indianapolis 500," said Allen Sirkin, president and CEO of Phillips-Van Heusen. "Since becoming the title sponsor of the IZOD IndyCar Series, we're thrilled at the level of excitement that has been built for 2010. An incredible schedule of races, a talented roster of championship drivers and a number of dedicated teams all vying for greatness will make for a thrilling season of IZOD IndyCar Series racing."