As a third-generation racer, Hunter McElrea shattered a 33-year record by becoming the first non-Australian to win the Australian Formula Ford Championship, instantly marking him as a talent to watch.
Since then, his rise has been relentless: dominating open-wheel ladders, earning two runner-up finishes in Indy NXT, and quickly establishing himself as an IMSA race winner. Discover how this Kiwi-American powerhouse bridged the gap between open-wheel dominance and endurance glory—and why he’s now poised for the ultimate breakthrough in global racing.
Brief overview of Hunter McElrea’s career in motorsport
Hunter McElrea is an American-born New Zealand endurance racing driver who competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship with United Autosports USA. He also serves as a reserve driver for Ed Carpenter Racing in the IndyCar Series.
McElrea began karting in 2006 at the age of seven. He moved into Formula Ford in 2015 and raced in several championships over the next three years, including the Queensland Formula Ford Championship, the New Zealand Formula Ford Series, and other regional and national Formula Ford competitions.
In 2018, McElrea raced a full season with Sonic Motor Racing Services in the Australian Formula Ford Championship and won the title. The victory made him the first non-Australian to win the championship since 1985.
McElrea moved into endurance racing in 2024 when he joined the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds. He picked up his first IMSA win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in his debut season.
Hunter McElrea’s age, family and early life
Hunter McElrea was born in November 1999 in Los Angeles, California, to Andy and Mel McElrea. He is the third generation of his family to compete in motorsport. His grandfather, Rod McElrea, won the New Zealand Beach Racing Championship in 1971 and the OSCA Championship in 1983.
His father, Andy McElrea, won the 1991 New Zealand Formula Ford Championship and the 1996 New Zealand Trans-Am Championship. Growing up around racing, McElrea spent much of his childhood at racetracks. That early exposure sparked his passion for the sport, and he began karting at the age of seven.
Hunter McElrea’s career in the IndyCar series
Hunter McElrea worked his way through the IndyCar development system after winning the Road to Indy Scholarship in 2018. The scholarship supports drivers as they progress through the U.S. F2000 Championship, USF Pro 2000, Indy NXT, and eventually IndyCar.
He finished second in the U.S. F2000 Championship in his first season before moving to USF Pro 2000, where he placed fifth in 2020 and third in 2021. In 2022, he stepped up to Indy NXT and finished third in the championship as a rookie. His best Indy NXT season came in 2023, when he finished second in the championship.
How did Hunter McElrea get to IMSA?
Hunter McElrea moved into endurance racing after completing his time in Indy NXT. In 2024, he signed with TDS Racing to race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's Michelin Endurance Cup rounds in the LMP2 class. He adapted quickly to endurance racing and opened the season with a second-place finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Later that year, he earned his first IMSA victory at Indianapolis before adding another win at Petit Le Mans. As of 2026, McElrea races in IMSA while also serving as a reserve driver for Ed Carpenter Racing.
Notable moments and races in Hunter McElrea’s career
The 2018 season proved to be a turning point for Hunter McElrea. He won the Australian Formula Ford Championship and became the first non-Australian champion in more than three decades.
He also secured the Road to Indy Scholarship, which led to his move into American open-wheel racing. After finishing as the 2023 Indy NXT runner-up, he switched to IMSA and won at Indianapolis and Petit Le Mans in his first season.
Hunter McElrea height: How tall is Hunter McElrea?
Hunter McElrea is 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall.
What is Hunter McElrea net worth?
As of 2026, Hunter McElrea's net worth has not been publicly disclosed.
Hunter McElrea’s relationship status: Who is Hunter McElrea’s girlfriend?
Hunter McElrea has not publicly shared details about his relationship status and keeps his personal life private.
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