"They keep calling me": $5M-worth Ryan Hunter-Reay teases interest in TV role while reflecting on IndyCar's future

IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay has teased a potential career in TV presenting. The 44-year-old, who is worth $5 million (via Celebrity Net Worth), races part-time in IndyCar and is nearing the end of his racing career.

Hunter-Reay recently appeared on the 'Off Track with Hinch and Rossi' podcast hosted by ex-IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe and 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi. In a clip shared on the podcast's Instagram page, Hinchcliffe asked Hunter-Reay about potential plans in IndyCar and if he intends to emulate Tony Kanaan, the driver turned Arrow McLaren Team Principal, and lead a team.

"That sounds like a lot," Ryan Hunter-Reay replied. "I'd be interested on the TV side."

After a funny back and forth with Hinchcliffe, Hunter-Reay returned to his interest in potentially pursuing a TV role.

"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."

Ryan Hunter-Reay's last full-time IndyCar season was with Andretti Autosport (now Andretti Global) in 2021. He sat out the 2022 season before returning in a part-time capacity in 2023 to race in the Indy 500 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, finishing 11th. The veteran then replaced Conor Daly at Ed Carpenter Racing midway through the season, albeit couldn't achieve much, barring a P10 finish at Laguna Seca.

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Ryan Hunter-Reay joining Dreyer & Reinbold/Cusick Motorsports for the 2025 Indy 500

Ryan Hunter-Reay with his family at the 107th Indianapolis 500 - Source: Getty

Ryan Hunter-Reay's 2024 outing with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports was disappointing. He finished in 26th position after making contact with Scott Dixon on Lap 107, going into the grass, doing a 360-degree spin, and eventually driving into the pits to retire.

On December 5, the team announced the re-signing of the 2012 Indy 500 winner for his 17th Indy 500 in 2025. Hunter-Reay expressed his gratitude to the team and their wholehearted support, saying via IndyCar:

"It's been a fantastic time that I spent with this team. Ever since the beginning, really, since we first got together a few years ago, just really enjoyed. I really enjoyed the people there. That was the biggest thing for me, to really surround myself with some great folks. We all have the same agenda, right? That's to win the Indy 500. We're not there simply to participate."

Hunter-Reay will pilot the No. 23 Chevrolet and drive alongside teammate Jack Harvey for the premier event of the 2025 IndyCar calendar on May 25.