Andretti Autosport announced today that Zach Veach will drive the team’s fourth entry in the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season. The 22-year-old will pilot the team’s No. 26 Honda.

Veach made his Verizon IndyCar Series debut earlier in April as a substitute driver for Ed Carpenter Racing for the injured JR Hildebrand at Barber Motorsports Park, where he finished 19th. The native of Stockdale, Ohio, also drove in the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Oil in May, finishing 26th for AJ Foyt Racing.

A product of the Mazda Road to Indy development ladder, Veach competed in all three levels starting in 2010. He won a total of 13 races and finished third in the top tier, Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires, in both 2014 (with Andretti Autosport) and 2016 (with Belardi Auto Racing).

“I've been thinking about this day since St. Petersburg in 2010 when I sat beside (Andretti Autosport CEO) Michael Andretti announcing that I'd be competing in USF2000 for his team,’’ Veach said. “To be driving in the Verizon IndyCar Series with them is a dream come true.” 

Veach will have plenty of veteran leadership to rely on, in teammates Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi in 2018.

“We are excited to give Zach the opportunity to show what he can do at the highest level, and I’m looking forward to welcoming him home, so to speak, as he completes our all-American lineup,” Andretti said. “Zach started his INDYCAR career with us in USF2000 and has driven in every step of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder with Andretti Autosport. He’s a driver that has always impressed me.

“Zach works hard and he takes something away from every time he’s in the car – he’s constantly improving. He’s put the effort in, found success at every level and now his dream has come full circle.”