Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA

Veach to sub for injured Hildebrand at Barber

Zach Veach is to make his IndyCar race debut in the #21 Ed Carpenter Racing-Chevrolet this weekend, as JR Hildebrand rests his broken hand.

J.R. Hildebrand, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

J.R. Hildebrand, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Sam Cobb / Motorsport Images

Zach Veach, Belardi Auto Racing
Zach Veach, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
J.R. Hildebrand, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
J.R. Hildebrand, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet pit stop
Zach Veach, Belardi Auto Racing
Zach Veach, Belardi Auto Racing
J.R. Hildebrand, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet
J.R. Hildebrand, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Veach, who had been set to make his first IndyCar start with AJ Foyt Racing in this year’s Indianapolis 500, will join the team for whom he tested impressively at Sonoma Raceway last year.

A bone in Hildebrand’s left hand was broken on the final lap of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, when he collided with Mikhail Aleshin’s Schmidt Peterson Motorsports-Honda. The break required surgery, performed last Tuesday at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center in Indianapolis.

Said Hildebrand: "This obviously is not how I had hoped this would play out, but I've done everything there was to do since surgery last Tuesday with good results. It seems the risk is still too high given the initial extent of the injury.

“The doctors I've worked with have been awesome to get my fractures sorted out and I trust their view of the situation. I am continuing to rehab with maximum focus to be back in the saddle for Phoenix.”

Veach, who finished third in last year’s Indy Lights championship, said: “First and foremost, my thoughts are with JR and his recovery. My heart goes out to him as I suffered a broken hand a couple years ago and I wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

“This isn't how any driver wants to get his first race but with that said, I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity to sub for JR.

“Ed [Carpenter] gave me my first chance to test an Indy car a few months ago. It’s going to be very special for me to be back in that same car representing Fuzzy's Vodka at Barber.

“It's going to be a lot to take in in a short amount of time, but I'm really excited to do the best I can for the team, as well as JR!”

Though neither Veach nor temporary teammate Spencer Pigot have competed in an IndyCar at the 2.38-mile Barber road course, Veach won the 2014 Indy Lights race there, while Pigot swept both Pro Mazda races the same year, and in 2015 repeated the feat in Indy Lights.

“We will obviously miss JR being in the car this weekend, but we need to focus on what is best for his recovery and for ECR while he is recovering,” said Carpenter. “Zach is a driver that we have been interested in; during the test at Sonoma last year, he did nothing but impress.

“We know he will do a great job at Barber in what is a tough situation for everyone."

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Chilton focused on IndyCar but wants Le Mans chance
Next article Penske engineer worried over potential Chevy deficit at Indy

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA