IndyCar hopeful Hunter McElrea has received a grant from the Tony Quinn Foundation (TQF) to go towards his rookie season in the Indy Lights series.
The Kiwi will join Andretti Autosport for his debut season, after graduating from the IndyCar feeder categories, winning the Road to Indy Shoot-out in 2019
“To get the news I’ll be representing the TQ Foundation alongside Liam is something I’m extremely proud of and really thankful for because it’s very very hard work in this sport for a couple of guys like us from our part of the world, and for sure the hardest part is the financial side,” McElrea said.
“To get funding firstly that you weren’t really expecting, and secondly, to get that purely off recognition is really special, and really really rare. I can’t thank Tony, Josie and all the trustees enough for choosing me.”
The TQF recently announced they would support fellow Kiwi Liam Lawson in his upcoming Formula 2 programme. McElrea and Lawson are both one step away from the pinnacle of their respective pathways, in IndyCar and Formula 1.
McElrea began racing single-seater cars in Australia in 2018, taking the championship win in the Australian Formula Ford Series, with 13 wins through the season.
2019 saw him take a runner up finish in US F2000, ahead of a two-year stint in IndyPro 2000, last year winning three races and securing seven podium finishes.
“He’s followed a logical progression right from Formula Ford in Australia and he’s had a great family and other supporters,” said TQF trustee and former American race team owner Steve Horne.
“Hunter has pretty much won in everything he’s done so far on his ladder to IndyCar. Indy Lights is one step away from the big time and I think as trustees he has proven himself and is deserving of some support from us.”
The 2022 season will see Indy Lights expand to 14 rounds.
“Indy Pro 2000 to Indy Lights is a really big step up, double the horsepower, turbo, heavier car and instead of doing 250kph you’re doing 300,” said McElrea.
McElrea stayed in the US over the offseason to continue testing.
“I focused on getting comfortable in the car rather than pushing for top spots,” he said of the testing. “I wasn’t focused on trying to be in a certain position, I just wanted to gel with the team and the next day I went the quickest.”
“This time of year I’m usually scrambling for funding and trying to put together a programme. I was able to put a deal together a lot earlier than usual and focus on the driving part which has been really really nice. For sure it’s been the best preparation that I’ve had.”
The 2022 season gets underway later this month in downtown St. Petersburg, a track where McElrea has had previous success.
“My first ever race there I was able to get a double podium, I won and had pole there in Indy Pro, so I’ve had a lot of success there every trip I’ve been. A good place for me, I really enjoy it.”
The season starts in St. Petersburg on February 27 and finishes at Laguna Seca in mid-September.
