Arrow McLaren recruits NASCAR crew for Hunter-Reay Indy 500 debut
Legacy Motor Club members will handle stops for the No. 31 Chevrolet as Arrow McLaren seeks to innovate beyond traditional IndyCar operational models.
Arrow McLaren has appointed 2014 Indianapolis 500 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay to drive the No. 31 Chevrolet in this year’s race, marking a strategic shift in how the team approaches its fourth entry. Team principal Tony Kanaan selected Hunter-Reay based on their shared driving philosophy and extensive experience, aiming to secure a second victory for the driver who finished 21st last year after running out of fuel. Hunter-Reay qualified 22nd for the event, starting on the eighth row.
To address a 30% reduction in its regular pit crew members from the previous season, the team has contracted Legacy Motor Club, a NASCAR team owned by Jimmie Johnson, to perform pit stops for Hunter-Reay’s car. This decision reflects a broader attempt by Arrow McLaren to innovate in human performance aspects of the sport, moving away from the traditional model where crew members split time between mechanics and pit duties.
The NASCAR crew underwent extensive preparation before the race, conducting 89 practice pit stops at the McLaren Racing Center in April and participating in open tests at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on April 28 and 29. Arrow McLaren officials hope the endurance and experience of the NASCAR crew, who compete in roughly double the number of races as IndyCar teams, will provide a competitive advantage during the typical five-stop Indy 500.
Hunter-Reay has been integrated with the team for all six races leading up to the Indy 500, allowing him to build relationships with staff such as team manager Kyle Moyer and director of engineering Eric Cowden. Kanaan noted that Hunter-Reay’s mild-mannered approach complements his own direct style, providing a sense of security for the team’s three full-time drivers. Hunter-Reay stated that his primary goal is to win, distinguishing his motivation from previous guest drivers who were testing their capabilities in the series.
The unorthodox pit crew arrangement highlights Arrow McLaren’s willingness to push operational boundaries. Team officials acknowledged the differences between NASCAR and IndyCar pit stop protocols, with NASCAR allowing five crew members over the wall compared to IndyCar’s six. If the experiment proves successful, the team may consider contracting NASCAR crews in the future or hiring full-time pit stop specialists who are not responsible for car construction.
