Commentary
IndyCar
Hunter-Reay takes “Best Driver” ESPY
Ryan Hunter-Reay: the quiet forgotten champion is now in the spotlight thanks to the fans.
Anne Proffit
Edited: Jul 19, 2013, 1:31 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Since he won his IZOD IndyCar Series championship in September of last year, we’ve heard very little in mainstream sports reporting about Ryan Hunter-Reay, the first American to take an Indy car title since Sam Hornish Jr in 2006. Was he on any magazine covers aside from those that are racing related? No. Did he appear on any sports television shows throughout the yawing off-season? Not that I can recall. Did anyone fete Hunter-Reay anywhere, other than the belated victory celebration held in early December at Indianapolis Motor Speedway? A response to that is asking a lot of my addled mind.
But just this week, on Wednesday, we discovered that INDYCAR’s fans didn’t forget RHR. They voted Ryan Hunter-Reay “Driver of the Year” at the ESPYs, ESPN’s version of the Oscars and Emmys. In collecting this prize, INDYCAR’s champion managed to beat out stars like Formula 1 titleholder Sebastian Vettel, Brad Keselowski, winner of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan.
Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport Chevrolet
Photo by: Michael C. Johnson
Now that’s recognition – and no panel other than those whose eyeballs haven’t been glued to their television sets voted for this and most every other ESPY prize.
The results of ESPY voting tell me something I didn’t realize until now – people actually know who Ryan Hunter-Reay is and support him. Not the 25-50,000 that come to some races outside of the Indy 500 but people who read stories, watch television and keep their eyes on what’s happening on-track in the INDYCAR world.
This is good news. Hunter-Reay became the first Indy car driver since KV Racing Technology co-owner Jimmy Vasser to win this prize – and that was back in 1997, following Jimmy’s 1996 CART championship. The 32-year-old Ft Lauderdale, Florida resident has come up through the ranks in a circuitous fashion, not always having the best seat in the house but always making the best of what he’s had.
Hunter-Reay was INDYCAR’s Rookie of the Year in 2007 even while driving a partial schedule, knocked around through 2009 and joined Andretti Autosport in 2010. He hasn’t looked back and has become a team leader on that squad.
Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport
Photo by: Brad Fox
After winning his ESPY at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, Ryan Hunter-Reay said, “This is what racing is all about, what sports are about. I feel like I’m up against the best in the world. It’s just amazing to get it done.”
Everything Hunter-Reay has done in his racing career has been pretty amazing. He’s experienced the highest of the highs and lowest of the lows. When he earned his 3-point championship advantage over Will Power at last year’s MavTV500 on the Auto Club Speedway 2-mile oval, RHR arrived at the pinnacle. Last night he joined the true stars of the sports world.
Congrats Ryan – you’ve earned it!
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article 'Turbo' cultivates long-term opportunities for IndyCar
Next article In the rear view: Toronto
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Anne Proffit
NHRA update: Virginia joins schedule, top teams make lineup changes
NHRA
NHRA
NHRA update: Virginia joins schedule, top teams make lineup changes
Englishtown shuts down drag racing operations with immediate effect
NHRA
NHRA
Englishtown shuts down drag racing operations with immediate effect
John Force gains honorary doctorate from UNOH
NHRA
NHRA
John Force gains honorary doctorate from UNOH
More from
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Preece on RFK nearly lapping the field: "You'll never see that again"
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
3 h
Ryan Preece on RFK nearly lapping the field: "You'll never see that again"
What now for Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing with impending split?
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Las Vegas II
What now for Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing with impending split?
Kaulig Racing shoots down Brad Keselowski NASCAR rumors
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Kaulig Racing shoots down Brad Keselowski NASCAR rumors
More from
Andretti Autosport
Kyle Kirkwood seals career-best IndyCar season with Laguna Seca runner-up
IndyCar
IndyCar
Laguna Seca
Kyle Kirkwood seals career-best IndyCar season with Laguna Seca runner-up
Will Power crashes hard in second IndyCar Markham practice
IndyCar
IndyCar
Markham
Will Power crashes hard in second IndyCar Markham practice
Marcus Ericsson will remain with Andretti for 2027 IndyCar season
IndyCar
IndyCar
Portland
Marcus Ericsson will remain with Andretti for 2027 IndyCar season
Latest news
Winners and losers from F1's United States Grand Prix
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
Winners and losers from F1's United States Grand Prix
Kyle Larson all but clinches NASCAR championship with Dega win
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
1 h
Kyle Larson all but clinches NASCAR championship with Dega win
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. explains why he lost Talladega Cup race
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
2 h
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. explains why he lost Talladega Cup race
Denny Hamlin blasts Next Gen as "sports car not meant to be running 200mph”
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
2 h
Denny Hamlin blasts Next Gen as "sports car not meant to be running 200mph”
Feature
Discover prime content
Inside AJ Foyt Racing’s transition: Hauger’s arrival, Ferrucci’s future, and the Pierson waiting game
Feature
IndyCar
Feature
IndyCar
By Joey Barnes
Inside AJ Foyt Racing’s transition: Hauger’s arrival, Ferrucci’s future, and the Pierson waiting game
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
IndyCar
By Joey Barnes
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe