Harvey Confirmed to Andretti Indy 500 Lineup (Includes Video)
Jack Harvey lands the coveted 5th Andretti Autosport Indy 500 drive |
LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 9, 2017) – In the midst of Verizon IndyCar Series competition in Long Beach, California, reigning Indianapolis 500 champions Andretti Autosport have confirmed that Englishman Jack Harvey will drive the No. 50 Honda for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500.
“Jack is a rising talent in open-wheel racing," said Andretti Autosport’s Michael Andretti. “He’s had an impressive career in the Mazda Road to Indy ladder and the British F3 series and we’re really pleased to be able to give him a shot in an Indy car at this year’s Indy 500."
Having claimed race wins at both the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the Freedom 100 in 2015, Harvey is no stranger to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; however, the 2017 500-mile event will be his first Verizon IndyCar Series race as he will work to gain Rookie of the Year honors and add his likeness to the iconic Borg Warner Trophy. Harvey, 23, holds six victories in 30 Indy Lights starts and claimed the British F3 championship in 2013.
“The Indy 500 is easily the biggest race I have entered in my career so far," said Harvey. “It is one of the most iconic races in the world and I feel extremely privileged to be taking part in it. To have the opportunity to do this with one of the best teams on the grid – a team that has won two of the last three races there – is more than I could have dreamed of. We have been working incredibly hard over the last 18 months to make this happen and it’s hard to put into words what this means to me. I want to thank the whole Andretti Autosport team for this opportunity. I also want to thank everyone that has supported me over my racing career; especially my family, friends and my manager. Finally, this wouldn’t be possible without the support of AutoNation, so I am very grateful for them helping me put this together."
Joining Andretti Autosport in support of Harvey’s Indy 500 entry will be longtime Andretti partner AutoNation, the largest U.S. automotive retailer. The South Florida based company also features branding on the No. 28 DHL car of Ryan Hunter-Reay and has partnered with Hunter-Reay’s Racing for Cancer to help drive out cancer. This May, AutoNation will celebrate the sale of its 11th million vehicle; the only automotive retailer to achieve this milestone.
“AutoNation is excited to build on our partnership with Andretti Autosport through the sponsorship of Jack Harvey," AutoNation CMO and EVP Marc Cannon. “Jack is a talented driver who will be joining AutoNation in the fight against cancer by supporting our Drive Pink initiative. By racing the No. 50 car, Jack is celebrating the 50 million customers AutoNation has serviced over the last 20 years, who show their encouragement through their Pink Plates to benefit breast cancer research. The entire AutoNation team will be rooting for Jack Harvey and Ryan Hunter-Reay on race day."
Harvey joins Indianapolis 500 champions Alexander Rossi (2016, No. 98 NAPA AUTO PARTS / Curb Honda) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (2015, No. 28 DHL Honda), running alongside teammates Marco Andretti (No. 27 United Fiber & Data Honda) and Takuma Sato (No. 26 Honda).