IndyCar: James Hinchcliffe to replace Zach Veach at Andretti Autosport

James Hinchcliffe is set to drive for Andretti Autosport as Zach Veach’s replacement for the final three races of the 2020 IndyCar season.

Earlier this week, Zach Veach announced that he would not be finishing the 14-race 2020 IndyCar season behind the wheel of the #26 Honda for Andretti Autosport after he was informed that the team would not be bringing him back for what would have been a fourth season in 2021.

As a result, James Hinchcliffe, who has driven for the team behind the wheel of the #29 Honda in three of the 11 races that have been contested so far this year, is set to replace the 25-year-old Stockdale, Ohio native in the season’s final three events.

Hinchcliffe is set to drive the #26 Honda in the two races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course next weekend (Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3) and then in the season finale on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida on Sunday, October 25.

Here is what Hinchcliffe had to say about this opportunity in a release.

"“I know, probably better than most, what Zach is feeling right now, and I have to say that he has handled everything about as class act as you can. I’ve known Zach as a teammate, before that as a colleague and even before that as a friend, and he is a guy that I respect in every way. I know he is a fighter and will fight back to where he wants to be.“For me now, my focus is 100% on racing the Harvest GP and getting the best possible results for Gainbridge, for Honda, for Michael and for the team. I obviously haven’t been on a road course in a while, but at least the last time I was, it was here at IMS! Hopefully that puts us in a good position to go out there and have a strong weekend.”"

Here is what team owner Michael Andretti had to add.

"“It’s always unfortunate to have to change drivers this far into a season, but we have to look at finishing the year the best we can for the 26 team and start evaluating and looking at options for 2021. James has an existing relationship with our team that we’d love to build on and it makes the most sense for him to step in for these last three races. We are looking forward to seeing what he can do.”"