SALINAS, Calif — Ryan Hunter-Reay knew what was at stake when he was called by good friend Ed Carpenter to help him out. With Conor Daly and Ed Carpenter Racing mutually agreeing to part ways just seven races into the season, if the ride was capable of running up front, Hunter-Reay never would have been called.

Now, 10 races later, Hunter-Reay leaves ECR in a better spot than he first joined. Mission accomplished. Rinus VeeKay learned a thing or two and if not for an opening incident to where he was punted off track by eventual race winner Scott Dixon, a top 10 may have ensued.

Still, 4 top 11 finishes in the final 5 races put the 21 car back on the right path.

For the 20 car, Hunter-Reay gave it a top 10 in his final start. He said he won’t likely be back in this role in 2024 but he did his job in keeping the ride in the leaders circle money.

Hunter-Reay finished 10th in the season finale.

“It was a good day for the No. 20 BITNILE.COM Chevrolet team,” he said. “Mission accomplished is what we see here at the end. It’s always tough when you are trying to points race while also being aggressive and competitive. We tried to balance those two in what was a pretty chaotic race. It was difficult at times to think about points but also wanting to move forward. All in all, we ran in the Top 3, finished in the Top 10 and secured a position in Leaders Circle. Mission accomplished!”

Despite making solid gains throughout each session, Ryan Hunter-Reay had to start today’s season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from the 25th position. During his qualifying run, the No. 20 BITNILE.COM Chevrolet spun coming out of Turn 11. As his spin caused a red flag, he was penalized by losing his two fastest laps.

When multiple cars made contact and went off-track on the opening lap of Sunday’s race, Hunter-Reay made it through unscathed. By the restart on Lap 6, he was scored in 14th, up 11 positions from his start. He picked up two more positions before the next yellow flag flew just a few laps later, moving him into 12th. 

Hunter-Reay stayed in the Top 10 for the middle portion of the race, cycling as high as 4th. On Lap 67 restart, he passed two more cars to move into 2nd. Hunter-Reay made his final pit stop four laps later, relinquishing the 2nd position. He rejoined the field in 12th, but made up two spots in the closing laps to earn his first Top 10 finish with Ed Carpenter Racing. 

With 2 top 15 finishes in the final 3 races and having 0 in the first 7, the path for ECR is back on the right footing.

Credit Hunter-Reay for that.