2011 Bump Day drama ahead of the 100th Indianapolis 500 race continued when Andretti Autosport came into an agreement with A.J. Foyt to replace Bruno Junqueira with Andretti's protege Ryan Hunter Reay to drive in A.J. Foyt’s No. 41 car.All Andretti Autosport drivers faced speed problems during the qualification session and when Marco Andretti bumped his way back into the field in the final minute of Bump Day, he actually threw his teammates Mike Conway and Hunter-Reay out from the race. Faced with the prospect of disappointing his major sponsors after losing 2 from its entries, Michael Andretti looked to Foyt at the suggestion of putting Hunter-Reay back in the field, as the American driver had driven for Foyt in 2009. In fact Foyt had helped out Hunter-Reay in the past replace regular ABC Supply driver Vitor Meira, who was injured during 2009 Indy 500, when Vision Racing owned by Tony George, suspended its operation, leaving Hunter-Reay without a drive. But, when Meira returned to Foyt for 2010 Hunter-Reay managed to land a drive with the Andretti Autosport team and win the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach – giving Michael Andretti his first win as the sole team owner.
Hunter-Reay, who has experienced both the highs and lows of a sport dependent on corporate sponsorship, commented::
“There has been an incredible range of emotion these past few days. Commercial decisions and corporate support is what makes it possible for both of our teams to compete and this was a commercially driven decision. I am an IndyCar driver and I’m also a representative for DHL, Dr Pepper and its brands, including Sun Drop Citrus Soda. I know this is not the first time this has happened in Indy 500 history but I feel terrible for Bruno and I thank him for his efforts and I hope he understands. It’s cool to be driving for A.J. again, especially with Michael’s support and encouragement. This is not how I envisioned the month of May this year but we are still committed to winning this race for DHL and Sun Drop.”
Michael Andretti stated all the right things in the official press release.
"I can't thank A.J. and his team enough for giving us an opportunity to put Ryan in the Indy 500. Obviously, this is a unique circumstance for our team, but the thought of A.J. Foyt joining forces with the Andrettis for the Indy 500 could result in something special. It's a credit to A.J. for being willing to help us with one of our full-season IndyCar entries at a time when we need it."
A.J. Foyt commented after the announcement of the agreement:
“We’ve been competitors for many years but still it’s the kind of relationship when someone is really down and out, you can’t turn your back on them—at least I can’t. This is going back to the way racing used to be, where if people were in a lot of trouble, you tried to help each other out. I know it’s a tough deal for Bruno but he understood the situation. I appreciate that more than anyone knows.”
Although Junqueira qualified comfortably 19th, the Brazilian veteran champcars driver knows very well that there are two ways to get bumped at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: either on the track or on the phone.
However, there was no other choice left apart from leaving a bitter comment about his team boss decision.
“I know they are talking but I don’t know what’s going to happen but Larry Foyt is one of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with and so is A.J.
They’ve been great to me. If I can race that would be great. If not, I had some fun and our team qualified well and Vitor (Meira) is in great shape for the race. I just hope in the future people will see that I can still drive these cars and I would love to run the full year again.”
According to the Indy 500 rules, the driver switch will move the No. 41 car to the back of the 33-car field. Still, cat will continue to carry ABC Supply on the sidepods and front cowling and Alfe Heat Treating on the engine cover as well as on the front cowling as its entry sposnsors but the Coyote Red paint scheme will be altered to accommodate the addition of the Andretti Autosport sponsors.
Many Indy 500 fans claimed their disappointment about the agreement. Although sponsoring corporations are crucial for the survival of the teams (Dragon Racing is the most recent example) and their preferences concerning a team's lineup is very important, this time they have gone too far. Thanks to Andretti Autosport sponsors, there will NEVER be Bump Day drama again. You don't make the race? Just walk through the paddock with your checkbook.
