Photo Credit: Chris Jones/IndyCar
The silly season dominoes continued to fall in the Verizon IndyCar Series paddock when Andretti Autosport announced on Wednesday that Zach Veach will drive the No. 26 Honda, its fourth entry, in 2018.
The 22-year-old made his IndyCar series debut earlier this year when he filled in for the then injured J.R. Hildebrand at Barber Motorsports Park, and then also made his Indianapolis 500 debut in May for A.J. Foyt Racing.
The Ohio native got his star in the Mazda Road to Indy, competing in the three developmental levels starting in 2010. He has 13 wins under his belt and finished third in the Indy Lights championship presented by Cooper Tire in both 2014 driving for Andretti Autosport and then again in 2016 driving for Belardi Auto Racing.
“I’ve been thinking about this day since St. Petersburg in 2010 when I sat beside (Andretti Autosport CEO) Michael Andretti announcing that I’d be competing in USF2000 for his team,’’ Veach said. “To be driving in the Verizon IndyCar Series with them is a dream come true.”
Veach will join former teammates and team veterans Marco Andretti and Ryan Hunter-Reay, with whom he had worked with when he drove for Andretti in 2014 as well as new teammate Alexander Rossi.
“We are excited to give Zach the opportunity to show what he can do at the highest level, and I’m looking forward to welcoming him home, so to speak, as he completes our all-American lineup,” team owner Michael Andretti said. “Zach started his INDYCAR career with us in USF2000 and has driven in every step of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder with Andretti Autosport. He’s a driver that has always impressed me.
“Zach works hard and he takes something away from every time he’s in the car – he’s constantly improving. He’s put the effort in, found success at every level and now his dream has come full circle.”
