INDIANAPOLIS — JR Hildebrand has a brand new staff and an old style search for this yr’s Indianapolis 500.

On Thursday, A.J. Foyt Racing introduced it had employed the California native to drive the No. 1 ABC Provide Chevrolet because the staff’s fourth driver in IndyCar’s greatest race.

The sweet apple pink nostril, trimmed with black stripes over a white physique could look awfully acquainted to longtime race followers. It is the identical paint scheme Foyt used to say the primary of his record-tying 4 500 victories in 1961.

“At my age, I do not get too excited anymore, however I am thrilled to see this automotive painted like my ’61 automotive,” the 86-year-old staff proprietor stated in an announcement. “That win was so particular as a result of it was my dream simply to be ok to make the race. To win it three years later, effectively, I used to be thrilled to demise about it. They have been all candy victories, however to win that first one after the place I got here from, it was unbelievable.”

The No. 1 belongs to the defending collection champion, New Zealand’s Scott Dixon who drives for Chip Ganassi Racing. However Ganassi is lending the quantity to Foyt this Could, making the throwback automotive attainable.

Hildebrand’s crew will honor the victory by sporting uniforms modeled after the 1961 crew, headed by George Bignotti who helped steer a report seven vehicles to victory lane.

For the 33-year-old Hildebrand, it is also a giant deal.

“The truth that I will be working a livery honoring A.J.’s first win 60 years in the past is simply an unbelievable factor to be part of,” he stated. “I’ve tried to deliver a bit historical past into not less than some ingredient of my 500 gigs over the previous couple of years — in ’18 we ran a 66 that was designed primarily based on the automotive Jim Clark ran his lone NASCAR begin with, in ’19 we ran Dan Gurney’s 48, and final yr we designed the 67 on our automotive from the numbers that have been on Joe Leonard and Graham Hill’s 1968 turbine vehicles — however this undoubtedly takes it to a complete new degree.”

Hildebrand will try to make an eleventh consecutive 500 begin with A.J. Foyt Racing alongside four-time collection champion Sebastien Bourdais, Dalton Kellett and Charlie Kimball. Hildebrand drove for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing the previous three years.

His greatest end got here as a rookie in 2011 when he misplaced the lead after crashing on the ultimate flip of the race. His broken automotive skidded throughout the yard of bricks in second place, behind the late Dan Wheldon.

Hildebrand posted three extra top-10 finishes — in 2014, 2015 and 2016 — however hasn’t been greater than eleventh since. He certified sixth with Ed Carpenter Racing in 2017 and completed sixteenth final yr after ranging from the No. 32 spot on the 33-car beginning grid

“Having the ability to signal a top quality driver like JR will add one other supply of precious suggestions to our staff, which is particularly vital given the talent-packed Indy 500 entry checklist this yr,” stated Mike Jost, chief working officer of the corporate.

Qualifying for the Could 30 race is Could 22-23.