INDIANAPOLIS – Andretti Autosport announced Wednesday that New Zealander Hunter McElrea will make the step up to the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship next season.
McElrea joins the championship-winning team following a third-place finish in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Hunter to our 2022 Indy Lights program,” said J-F Thormann, President, Andretti Autosport. “Hunter has been very competitive in his Road to Indy career, and we have high hopes that he can continue that pattern next year for us in Indy Lights.”
McElrea first entered the Road to Indy in 2019 after winning the Road to Indy $200k Shootout that granted the 21-year-old a scholarship to join the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship. In his rookie campaign, McElrea captured four victories, five pole positions and stood on the podium 12 times finishing only five points away from winning the 2019 USF2000 Championship. As he moved up the Road to Indy ladder, McElrea joined the Indy Pro 2000 Championship collecting four wins, 13 podiums and starting from the pole position five times in his two seasons. Prior to joining the Road to Indy, McElrea competed in Formula Ford Championships across Australia and won the Australian Formula Ford Championship in 2018.
“It is a dream come true for me to join a team like Andretti Autosport,” said McElrea. “After my first days in an Indy Lights car and working with the team, it’s clear to me why they are one of the world’s most successful race teams. I cannot thank my sponsors, backers, and investors enough for making this possible for me. And of course, everyone at Andretti Autosport for welcoming me. This is the biggest opportunity I have ever gotten in my racing career to date, and I plan on making the most of it!”