Schmidt Peterson Motorsports sent out a release half an hour prior to its scheduled Media Conference that Ryan Briscoe has been announced to drive the No.5 Arrow Electronics Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda in the Indianapolis 500. He is a replacement driver for SPM’s regular driver, James Hinchcliffe, so Briscoe will start in the last grid position.
Briscoe has one Indy 500 Pole Position and two top-five finishes on his resume.
James Hinchcliffe of Canada had a horrific crash Monday afternoon in the first hour of the Monday Verizon IndyCar Series practice session for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500. Hinch had surgery for upper lift thigh injuries, was in Intensive Care Unit, but now has been transferred to another room, in stable condition.
Co-Owner Sam Schmidt said “We explored quite a few options and felt confident in Briscoe. We were glad he was available and willing to drive for us with such short notice. Obviously this was not a situation we were expecting to be in for the biggest race of the year but we’re making the best of it. Our thoughts and prayers are with James [Hinchcliffe] and his family right now while we work through the details of finding his replacement. We’re excited to have an accomplished veteran in the seat of the No. 5 Arrow Electronics car.”
Briscoe said “First and foremost, I feel absolutely terrible for Hinch. I wish him the best and a speedy recovery. Under the circumstances, I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to be here and fill in for him. I really hope to do a great job for Arrow Electronics, Lucas Oil and the SPM team, and I’m looking forward to being back here in the Indy 500 again.”
The naming of Hinchcliffe’s replacement driver for the duration of his recovery will be named later.
Briscoe will be on track after the Press Conference, for his Track Familiarization.