Howard Returns with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports For Indianapolis 500

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer

Jay Howard and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports have announced their entry for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.

Howard returns to the team with which he competed in the 2011 and 2017 Indianapolis 500-mile races and will drive the No. 7 Honda with One Cure sponsoring the entry.

One Cure is part of the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University that studies cancer treatments for various animal species.

“To say I am excited is an understatement,” said Howard in a team release.

“There are no words to describe how happy I am to be representing CSU’s One Cure initiative – it’s an honor to be flying the green and black colors! One Cure’s goal is to raise awareness and funding for the Flint Animal Cancer Center to continue the fight against cancer; on race day, we will be fighting for something more than just the Borg Warner trophy. I also want to thank everyone at SPM and Honda for this opportunity.

“It will be great to be back with the team.”

This will be the fourth entry that will attempt to qualify under the SPM umbrella. James Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens are the normal full-time entrants for the team, while Jack Harvey will attempt to qualify a Michael Shank Racing entry entered in a technical partnership with SPM.

“Thanks to a wonderful benefactor, we are excited for the opportunity again this year to partner with Jay Howard and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports,” said Dr. Rodney Page, director, Flint Animal Cancer Center in a team release.

“Jay is a wonderful spokesperson for our One Cure initiative, and with his help, we will continue to engage new friends in our work. With additional support, we will find more answers to our cancer questions as we race towards a cure for both pets and people.”

Howard has raced at Indianapolis twice, finishing 30th in 2011 in part to a right rear wheel coming loose after exiting the pits. Last year, his day was cut short after an incident with Scott Dixon and finished 33rd.