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Ryan Hunter-Reay will be able to complete the IndyCar Series season after Andretti Autosport raised sufficient funding to extend his deal.

The team’s initial arrangement with series title sponsor and Hunter-Reay’s personal backer IZOD only covered through to the Texas round, but additional sponsors were found to keep him on board for Iowa and this weekend’s Watkins Glen race.

Today it was announced that enough new sponsors had come forward to ensure Hunter-Reay could contest the full championship. His car will remain primarily in IZOD colours, and will also promote the Racing for Cancer charity programme alongside other new backers.

“I can’t even begin to describe my sense of relief, appreciation and excitement as we look forward to a complete season while challenging for the IZOD IndyCar Series championship,” said Hunter-Reay. “So many different people, organisations, companies and partners pulled together to make this a reality and I have to thank them for their belief in me.

“Andretti Autosport and Michael Andretti have been so supportive in so many ways. They have really dug deep to not only get me and the #37 car on track this season, but to keep it there. As I’ve been saying all along, this team is incredibly good at what it does and that’s why we’ve not only won together already, but we are now making it a full-season effort.”

Hunter-Reay ended Andretti’s victory drought by winning in Long Beach earlier this year, and is currently seventh in the championship standings.