The 2014 edition of the Indianapolis 500, one of the world’s most famous motorsport races, had an epochal significance for OMP. For the first time, it was a driver equipped with the Italian brand’s racewear who won. The achievement was scored by Ryan-Hunter Reay, who had already helped to write OMP’s history in America in 2012 by clinching the INDYCAR SERIES title.
The Indianapolis 500 is the flagship event on the INDYCAR calendar, to the point that it matters more to some than winning the entire championship. With Hunter-Reay, at the time one of the top drivers in the top American single-seater category, both milestones were written in just two years.
The American moved on to the Andretti Autosport team in 2012, beginning his collaboration with OMP during a period of major technical evolution of our products. For the 2014 Indy 500, in fact, Hunter-Reay had at his disposal the ONE S fireproof suit, launched on the market the previous year introducing new internal materials – to ensure a significant weight reduction – and inserts in breathable 3D Dry System fabric. Features that proved instrumental.
In qualifying, Ryan set the 11th fastest time at 230.928 mph average, but in oval racing, and at Indianapolis in particular, it matters more to be in the right place at the right time. Ryan took the victory after a dramatic finish. After a red flag, the restart occurred with just six laps remaining and the win came by just 60 thousandths, after some breathtaking wheel-by-wheel fights. Ryan wanted that win so badly, especially after coming within a whisker of it only a year earlier, and so did OMP, which worked hard to support him.
“Winning the Indy 500 has been an incredible experience and a lifelong goal, an achievement made possible by utilizing the absolute best equipment and personnel in the industry. The support from OMP over the years has been amazing. My custom One S suit is incredible. Breathability and lightweight features have been critical and contributed to me being part of motorsport history”, RHR commented after.
In 2024, OMP is striving to celebrate another success at the legendary Indy 500 – the greatest spectacle in racing, as it is called. The brand of Racing Force Group is supplying Team Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin, Will Power and Josef Newgarden, who swept the front row in qualifying. In addition, OMP equips Agustìn Canapino of the Juncos Hollinger Racing team, Sting Ray Robb and one-off starter Marco Andretti, a name loyal to OMP since a very long time.
