UPDATE Another reader adds, Dear AutoRacing1.com, There is something a lot more at work than Hunter-Reay and Rocketsports not ‘gelling’ or having the ‘magic’. Ryan’s average qualifying and race fast time last year was 7th and this year is 14th and 13th respectively. Hunter-Reay, the individual, has more race wins than Rocketsports the team. Ryan is ranked 4th in the Series in wins to starts behind only Bourdais, Tracy, and da Matta and is the only American to win races the past two seasons. He has done more promotional work for the series than any other driver including no less than five trips to Australia. Dump a fan favorite, a proven race winner, and one of the series most marketable drivers that only last year Kalkhoven and Forsythe made possible to keep in the series just before the Australian race where he won two years ago and finished 5th last year makes no sense. Hunter-Reay has posted front row starts, race fast times, podiums, and wins each of his first two years, as well as setting a series record for most laps lead in a single race and bringing his former team their first pole is now cast aside for a pay driver to put a few shekels in Paul’s pocket just before the Australian race where he is literally ‘The Face of Champ Car’? RHR has been a loyal, tireless worker for Champ Car and this is a huge blunder visited on them by Gentilozzi who looks more and more out of his league.
Name withheld by request.
10/14/05 With Rocketsports announcing that Michael McDowell will be driving the #31 for the last two races, what is the future of Ryan Hunter-Reay? Two years ago, it seemed like Hunter-Reay was heading for stardom, with even some talk of going to F1. This year has been a complete struggle. I cannot believe that someone as young, talented, and fast as RHR has suddenly just 'lost it'. Do you have any idea what the real story is, and where he may end up in 2006? John Farney, Milwaukee, WI Dear John, At this point we don't know who Hunter-Reay will drive for in 2006, but we assume he will have a ride in Champ Car. As for his struggles this year, certain drivers gel better with certain teams and engineers. Hunter-Reay and Rocketsports never could find the magic. Both are still capable of winning races, as they have in the past. Mark C.
