In September 2012, hours before wrapping up the Verizon IndyCar Series championship, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Andretti Autosport announced a two-year extension of the driver’s contract.
Five victories, including the 98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in May, and four poles in 35 starts later, Hunter-Reay and team owner Michael Andretti announced before the ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 at Milwaukee IndyFest the continuation of the pairing through the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season. The agreement matches the partnership extension of DHL as primary sponsor of the Honda-powered No. 28 entry.
Hunter-Reay, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., joined the team in 2010.
“I can’t say enough about this partnership from where it’s come from day one to where we are now, how much we’ve grown together as a team. It really does feel like family,” Hunter-Reay said. “I really look forward to winning more in the future. I know with this continuity and security we can accomplish so much more.”
Andretti Sports Marketing is the promoter of the race, which Hunter-Reay won in 2012 and ‘13. He also won at the Milwaukee Mile in 2004 under CART sanction. He is third in the Verizon IndyCar Series championship standings.
DHL, the global market leader in the logistics industry, came on board in 2011 and “has successfully been able to connect our global brand with the public and promote DHL’s international specialists,” according to DHL Express USA CEO Mike Parra. He noted that Hunter-Reay’s Indianapolis 500 victory created “a massive ad value.”
“This is a big day for big day for us to keep DHL in the family, and they have become part of the family,” Andretti said. “It’s also a big day for IndyCar racing to have a company like DHL committing to a multi-year deal.”
