Arrow McLaren despatched IndyCar followers on a wild goose chase with a cryptic social media put up about an incoming announcement for the 2026 Indianapolis 500. The put up teased an announcement seemingly concerning the workforce’s fourth entry on the Best Spectacle of Racing, which NASCAR Cup Collection Champion Kyle Larson had been occupying for the final two years.
Arrow McLaren already has three full-time entries locked in for 2026 – Pato O’Ward persevering with within the No. 5 Chevrolet, Nolan Siegel within the No. 6 Chevrolet, and Christian Lundgaard within the No. 7 Chevrolet. In 2024 and 2025, the fourth part-time entry facilitated Kyle Larson’s try at The Double. Nonetheless, the Hendrick Motorsports driver shared he will not return to run the Indy 500 within the close to future after two failed makes an attempt.
On this IndyCar offseason, a few insiders, together with FOX pit lane reporter Kevin Lee and RACER’s Marshall Pruett, shared that Ryan Hunter-Reay was rumored to be in talks to pilot the entry in 2026. That is additionally what many followers appeared to zero right down to after Arrow McLaren’s social media put up on Wednesday, the caption to which learn:
“A brand new task. 🔜”
The image had a CIA-like confidential file on a desk alongside a radio. The photograph seemingly had a number of clues concerning the announcement, just like the radio being tuned to 98 FM, which followers interpreted to be a reference to the 98th Indy 500 in 2014, which was gained by Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Extra clues hinted at RHR’s signing, together with the 17 stars on the highest left of the file, within the colours blue, white, orange, and one in every of them was golden. That might coincide with the 2012 IndyCar champion’s Indy 500 file, having made 17 begins and gained as soon as.
The blue and white colours additionally performed into piquing fan curiosity. Some theorized that it may seek advice from Hunter-Reay’s nickname, Captain America. The file was named Undertaking 31, the quantity he carried in 2003 and 2005, throughout his Champ Automotive profession.
Ryan Hunter-Reay supposedly wasn’t Arrow McLaren’s first selection for the 2026 Indy 500
In July this 12 months, over a month after the 109th Indy 500, the place Arrow McLaren had one driver, Pato O’Ward, end on the rostrum, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown teased ‘mega’ plans for the a hundred and tenth operating of the race subsequent 12 months
Brown shared with Indy Star that he and the workforce have been planning to get a rookie, whom he selected to not title, to pilot the workforce’s fourth entry.
“We have got a trick up our sleeves, and it will be so cool if it occurs. This one can be unreal,” Brown stated. “It will be mega.”
Ryan Hunter-Reay is clearly not a rookie, with a profession spanning over 20 years. The 44-year-old retired from full-time racing in IndyCar in 2021 and has since completed part-time stints. In 2024 and 2025, he raced on the Indy 500 for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, DNFing every time.
Arrow McLaren’s fourth entry this 12 months failed once more, with Kyle Larson retiring on a lap 91 restart after making contact with the automotive forward.
Edited by Yash Kotak
