Arrow McLaren announced May 13 that Callum Ilott will drive the No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet at the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 26, finalizing the team’s four-car lineup for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Ilott, a 25-year-old from Great Britain, returns to Arrow McLaren for his third NTT INDYCAR SERIES race this season after producing a 13th-place finish at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and competing at The Thermal Club’s $1 Million Challenge. Set for his third Indy 500 start, he achieved a 12th-place finish last May for Juncos Hollinger Racing as the second-biggest mover in the race after advancing 15 positions from starting 27th on the grid.
“It is any driver’s dream to race in the Indianapolis 500, and I’d like to extend a thank you to Zak (Brown), Gavin (Ward) and Tony (Kanaan) for making this happen,” Ilott said. “I’m grateful to step into this race with a familiar car and a familiar team now in Arrow McLaren. While our April Open Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was shortened by weather, the runs we did have were productive.
“I feel comfortable with the team and know that we can come together throughout the Month of May to put our best foot forward come Race Day.”
Ilott raced for Juncos Hollinger from 2021-23, making 36 starts with five top-10 finishes and a front-row start in 2022 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
“Callum brings experience with this team, and at the Indy 500 that we think is very valuable as we enter the biggest two weeks of our season,” Arrow McLaren Team Principal Gavin Ward said. “He and the team got along well during the first two events of the season, and we’re looking forward to carrying that over here. I’m confident that Callum and the No. 6 NTT DATA Chevy team will be competing near the front of the grid during qualifying and on Race Day, just like the rest of our cars.”
Ilott will team with full-time Arrow McLaren drivers Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Rookie Theo Pourchaire will take over the No. 6 car from Ilott for the rest of the season starting at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on June 1.
Following the Indy 500, Ilott will return to Hertz Team JOTA for the remainder of the 2024 World Endurance Championship campaign. Ilott is in second place in the WEC standings after winning the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps last weekend.