Perhaps as expected, JR Hildebrand will fill Josef Newgarden’s role in the Ed Carpenter Racing team’s No. 21 Chevrolet for whatever length of time Newgarden is out of action in the Verizon IndyCar Series.
On Sunday night, Newgarden was diagnosed with a fractured right clavicle and a small fracture to his right hand after his accident with Conor Daly Sunday in Texas. There’s been no timeline on how long Newgarden, who sits fourth in points, would be out.
Hildebrand’s team owner and Indianapolis 500 teammate Carpenter confirmed Hildebrand to Motorsport.com on Monday; Hildebrand later adding to it in a couple tweets.
So as I said, fully expect my dude @josefnewgarden to be back at it in no time, but will fill in with @ECRIndy until then w/ RA test Weds.
— JR Hildebrand (@JRHildebrand) June 13, 2016
Obviously not ideal circumstances, helps to know JN & team. Now we see how good of friends we are when I start calling to review his data. 🤔
— JR Hildebrand (@JRHildebrand) June 13, 2016
Later this afternoon and after a couple other media reports confirming the news - this one included - ECR confirmed the news itself.
He's fast, so you know @josefnewgarden will work on a speedy recovery! @JRHildebrand will drive 21 until JN is ready pic.twitter.com/5y1S3ww34X
— Ed Carpenter Racing (@ECRIndy) June 13, 2016
.@JRHildebrand will climb in the #21 this coming Wednesday for a test we already had scheduled at @roadamerica. pic.twitter.com/XwV6nDdq18
— Ed Carpenter Racing (@ECRIndy) June 13, 2016
Hildebrand’s lone road course races the last three years have come at the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis but he’s been Carpenter’s go-to additional car for the Indianapolis 500 each of the last three.
And Hildebrand does have some Road America track experience as he prepares to test there this week. He raced twice there in Formula Atlantic in 2006 and 2007, and also won there in USF2000 in 2006.