IndyCar: J.R. Hildebrand to drive for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in 2019 Indianapolis 500

J.R. Hildebrand is set to return to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing to compete in the 103rd running of IndyCar’s most prestigious race, the Indianapolis 500.

After weeks of speculation that an announcement pertaining to the matter was on its way, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing have confirmed that J.R. Hildebrand is set to return to the team for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 this May.

He is set to drive the #48 Chevrolet, a tribute to racing legend Dan Gurney, in IndyCar‘s most prestigious race after driving the #66 Chevrolet in it last year as a tribute to racing legend Jim Clark.

Hildebrand is set to be the team’s second driver for this race, as they confirmed just under two months ago that Sage Karam would also return to the team to drive the Wix Filters-sponsored #24 Chevrolet, and he is set to be sponsored by Salesforce.

As a result, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s lineup for this year’s running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is set to match their lineup for last year’s running of the race, and the primary sponsors for both of their drivers are set to remain the same.

Here is what Hildebrand had to say about the opportunity to return to the Indy 500 this year, according to IndyStar.

"“I’m thrilled to have Salesforce back on our race car, and also honoring the great Dan Gurney with the No. 48 this year. Dan was one of my racing heroes (and we’re) saluting him in this year’s Indy 500 and campaigning his famed No. 48. Dan’s No. 48 won the 1975 Indy 500 with Bobby Unser driving. Now, we’ll celebrate Dan’s great racing achievements with the No. 48 car.”"

Here is what Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team co-owner Dennis Reinbold had to say about Hildebrand returning to the team for this year’s Indy 500, according to IndyStar.

"“I’m very pleased to bring back J.R. to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway again this year. Last year, we expanded to two cars with J.R. and Sage and the combination worked very well. J.R.’s experience at Indy brings our team a lot of background to develop the cars quickly in practice and prepare for qualifying.”"

As a result of this driver confirmation, the entry list for this year’s Indy 500 now officially contains 35 confirmed entries with 34 confirmed drivers. One other highly speculated entry also remains a possibility of being added.

More from IndyCar

• IndyCar: Two teams with no drivers confirmed for 2024
• IndyCar: Chip Ganassi Racing news hints Alex Palou announcement
• IndyCar: ‘Addition by subtraction’ could pay off in a big way
• Team Penske should make a bold driver signing for 2024
• IndyCar: 5 teams that still have open seats for 2024

Hildebrand has competed in the 200-lap race around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in Speedway, Indiana in each of the last eight years dating back to 2011, when he was involved in arguably the most memorable finish in race history.

The then 23-year-old Sausalito, California native appeared to be well on his way to victory in the first Indy 500 start of his career when he led the race on the final lap by a sizable margin back to second place heading into turn four and tried to lap a slower car.

But then he got into the marbles and slammed the turn four wall, allowing the late Dan Wheldon to take the lead and thus the win. Hildebrand still finished in a career-high second place.

In eight career Indy 500 starts, Hildebrand has recorded four top 10 finishes and an average finishing position of 12.50. Aside of his heartbreaking second place finish in the 95th running of the race in 2011, his top finish is his sixth place finish in the 100th running of the race in 2016.

The 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to take place in just under five weeks and just over one month on Sunday, May 26. NBC is set to broadcast the race live from Indianapolis Motor Speedway beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET.