Jay Howard secures IndyCar return for Indy 500

British IndyCar driver Jay Howard has secured a return to the Verizon IndyCar Series for the 2015 Indianapolis 500 with Bryan Herta Autosport, where the 33-year-old will compete in the team’s #97 car. The event in May will mark Howard’s first outing in the Series since 2011, when he competed with Sam Schmidt Motorsport in four races.

Although the team’s sole seat for the 2015 season remains vacant after Jack Hawkworth’s departure to A.J. Foyt Racing, their plans for the 99th running of the coveted Indianapolis 500 are half complete with Jay Howard confirming his return to the Series.

The former Indy Lights Champion originally made his IndyCar debut with Roth Racing in 2008, before returning to the Indy Lights Series the following year. In 2010 and 2011 Howard managed to compete in a combined eight races in IndyCar with Sarah Fisher Racing, Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Rahal Letterman Lanigan, which included his only official start in the Indianapolis 500 in 2011.

Despite his inability to secure a full-time drive in 2012, the Briton was scheduled to enter the Indianapolis 500 with Mike Shank Racing, however he frustratingly failed to make it to the grid after the team’s engine deal failed to materialise. Howard is understandably thrilled with his confirmed return to the IndyCar Series, and is targeting further races with the team.

“With all the letdowns and everything that went wrong at Indy, it’s a relief to have another chance to put all that behind me,” explained Howard to RACER. “I’m really excited to have a deal already in place between my sponsor Green1 and Bryan Herta’s team. I have a lot of unfinished business in IndyCar, which makes this partnership with Bryan and Green1 such a big thing for me. And we’re working on doing more than the Indy 500 together.”

Last season the Indianapolis 500 was won by Ryan Hunter-Reay, with Helio Castroneves a close second. After failing to qualify for the 2010 Indianapolis 500 and retiring from the event the following year after contact, Howard will certainly be looking to reach the checkered flag during the 99th running of the legendary 200-lap race.

Image courtesy of Jim Haines/IndyCar Media Service