• Peg It on GarageMonkey
INDYCAR: Andretti Unveils 2013 Liveries
RHR will carry No. 1 with a small 28 inset on the nose of his DHL/Sun Drop Dallara/Chevy in the 2013 season.
Robin Miller  |  Posted December 05, 2012  
Andretti Autosport revealed three revised liveries for its 2013 IndyCar entries. (Photo: Andretti Autosport)
Wearing No. 1 had always been a badge of honor in Indy car racing until a few years ago when teams started staying with the same numbers, ala NASCAR.

Ryan Hunter-Reay’s affinity for No. 28 was a direct link to his heart because it represented the 28 million people living with the cancer, the disease that took his mother’s life three years ago.

But the 2012 IZOD IndyCar champion and his Andretti Autosport team has come up with a way to honor their great season and the cancer survivors.

RHR will carry No. 1 with a small 28 inset on the nose of his DHL/Sun Drop Dallara/Chevy in the 2013 season.

“Michael (Andretti) and I were both in agreement that our sponsors and this team deserved to be No. 1,” said Hunter-Reay during a Wednesday morning unveiling of the liveries for James Hinchcliffe, Marco Andretti and himself.

“This is what you strive for and you only get so many chances to wear No. 1 on your car.”

Ironically, the last time No. 1 was used at the Indianapolis 500 came in 2006 when Michael Andretti ran third in his open wheel finale.

“I’m surprised more teams don’t run No. 1 because it’s so hard to get,” said the 1991 CART champion. “I only got to wear it once but it meant a lot to me.”

Marco Andretti is also changing numbers – going from 26 to 25 on his RC Cola Special. “I’m tired of people telling me that it’s bad luck so I’m changing,” he said. “I’ve been studying some things I need to do to improve my street course performance and I’m looking forward to 2013.”

DHL is back for a third straight season with RHR, Andretti is in year two with RC and Hinchcliffe will again carry the GO DADDY colors that have been with Andretti since 2009.

“To be sitting here in December with all three programs ready to go puts us so much further ahead than last year,” continued Andretti, the only owner fielding cars in F2000, Star Mazda and Lights.

“We had a great year and I think we all still feel like there’s a lot of room for improvement.”

Andretti also confirmed Carlos Munoz would run a car at Indianapolis, in addition to contesting Indy Lights along with 17-year-old Zach Veach.

PHOTOS: Click Here or on the image below to view INDYCAR: Andretti Autosport 2013 Liveries




RUTHERFORD AWARD

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced the first annual Lone Star Johnny Rutherford award will be presented this May.

Named after the three-time Indy winner, it will go to the IndyCar participant who best exemplifies outstanding character, integrity, service and leadership in the home, at the track and in the community.

Rutherford has been one of Indy car racing’s best ambassadors for 50 years and still drives the pace car and assists rookie drivers.

The first recipient will be announced May 25th at the Indy 500 breakfast.

Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
robin_miller's avatar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robin Miller

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR
Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | FAQ | Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy | Ad Choices | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | National Geographic | IGN | AskMen
The Motor Sports Authority, SPEED and associated logos are registered trademarks of Speed Channel Inc.
All Rights Reserved © Speed Channel, Inc. 2013

All external links will open in a new browser window. SPEED.com does not endorse external sites.