Ryan Hunter-Reay’s month of May went from bad to worse on Carb Day when a fire erupted at the back of his No. 23 Dreyer & Reinbold/Cusick Motorsports Chevy, forcing the 2014 Indianapolis 500 champion to switch to a backup car for Sunday’s race. The team is still investigating the cause of the fire, with the flames causing significant damage to the Dallara DW12 safety cell, ultimately leading to the need for a spare chassis. Despite the setback, Hunter-Reay will maintain his 25th-place qualifying position once the new No. 23 Chevy is ready to hit the track on race day.
During the final practice session before the race, Hunter-Reay made a pit stop only to discover a small fire emerging from his car as he pulled away from his pit box. Attempting to extinguish the flames by driving at high speeds on the track, the situation worsened, leading him to pull into pit lane where safety personnel quickly intervened to put out the fire. Reflecting on the experience, Hunter-Reay mentioned feeling a liquid that he thought could have been fire-retardant, but to his dismay, the smoke continued to increase inside the cockpit as he navigated the car back to the pit lane for assistance. The unexpected turn of events left Hunter-Reay feeling like a character out of a movie, likening the situation to Ace Ventura jumping out of a rhino.
In an effort to prepare for race day, Hunter-Reay and DRR-Cusick Motorsports will have a special 15-minute session on Saturday morning to test out the new No. 23 car. The session, scheduled from 8:30-8:45am, will only allow the car to complete install laps without crossing the start/finish line. This opportunity will give the team a chance to ensure that the backup car is ready to perform at its best come race day, providing Hunter-Reay with the confidence needed to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. Despite the unexpected setback, Hunter-Reay remains determined to make the most out of the situation and give it his all on the racetrack, showcasing his resilience and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.
