IndyCar targets millionaire former winner alongside Will Buxton amidst major reshuffle

IndyCar is undergoing a major reshuffle now that FOX Sports has taken over the broadcasting responsibilities from NBC Sports. Earlier this week, it was reported that the American series is looking to poach F1 star presenter Will Buxton from the 2025 season. A new report claims that FOX is also pursuing a former IndyCar champion to join their TV team.

As per Indy Star reporter Nathan Brown, IndyCar is eyeing 2012 champ and 2014 Indy 500-winning driver Ryan Hunter-Reay for a pitlane reporter role. Its' not yet known if he will serve in a part-time or full-time capacity if and when an agreement is reached.

Buxton and the $5 million-worth Hunter-Reay (via Celebrity Net Worth) will become the new faces of IndyCar's FOX broadcasts with the former taking on the role of lead anchor. Brown revealed the development in an X post:

"Alongside the expected hiring of @wbuxtonofficial as the new @IndyCarOnFOX lead anchor, @FOXSports execs have spoken with @RyanHunterReay regarding either a part or full-time pit reporter role (minus the 500), as Fox looks to refresh IndyCar’s on-air crew."

Buxton worked as an F1 pit-lane reporter with FOX from 2010 to 2012 before continuing in the role with NBC Sports, which acquired F1's broadcasting rights.

During his association with NBC, he also covered IndyCar till 2017. In 2018, the British journalist joined F1TV and has been part of their core team since. He also appeared as a pundit in all six seasons of F1's Netflix Series 'Drive to Survive'.

The lead anchor role offered to him comes on the heels of Leigh Diffey, who was the lead voice of NBC Sports' broadcast, shifting to NASCAR.

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Ryan Hunter-Reay shows disinterest in pursuing a TV role for IndyCar

Superstar Racing Experience - Sharon Speedway - Source: Getty

Ryan Hunter-Reay, on the latest episode of the 'Off Track with Hinch and Rossi' podcast hosted by ex-IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe and Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alexander Rossi said that he'd rather pursue a TV role than lead a team post-retirement.

However, the TV opportunity too didn't excite him as much as he said:

"They keep calling me and they're waiting on an answer, but I'm just like, no. I really enjoyed it like when we did it at Detroit, Long Beach, at Indy (500). On the other side, do I want to be on a Spirit Airlines flight out of Fort Lauderdale four times a week? No."

"I love IndyCar and I love everything about it. I love the racing and the people and I'd love to, you know, be involved. I probably have the freshest perspective even compared to you (Hinchcliffe), my friend, on behind the wheel and driving these heavier behemoths. A lot of it, I think, would come naturally to me," the veteran added.

Even if Hunter-Reay changes his mind, he won't be covering the Indy 500 in May because he's set to pilot the No. 23 Chevy for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports for his 17th appearance at the "Greatest Spectacle of Racing."