in points after the last two races of the season with 110 points. IndyCar Series 2007–2010 Hunter-Reay began to drive for Rahal Letterman Racing in the No. 17 Honda for the final six races of the season as a replacement for the released Jeff Simmons. Hunter-Reay made his series debut at the Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. In his debut Hunter-Reay started 10th and finished 7th. At the following race, the Firestone Indy 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Hunter-Reay started 12th in the race and had to make a pit stop to replace his damaged helmet. He would finish in 6th place and would be the last car on the lead lap. Hunter-Reay's best start of the season was a 5th at the Detroit Indy Grand Prix at Belle Isle State Park, where he finished 18th (last) due to clutch problems after 24 laps. Hunter-Reay would finish 7th after starting 12th at the season-ending Peak Antifreeze Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway. Despite only competing in six races, Hunter-Reay was able to finish 19th in points with 119 points and would win the series rookie of the year award, setting the record for fewest starts in a season by a driver who won the award. Hunter-Reay returned with Rahal Letterman Racing in 2008. At the season-opening Gainsco Auto Insurance Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway Hunter-Reay started 9th and finished 7th. Hunter-Reay would then get another 7th at the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi after starting 10th. At the Indianapolis 500 Hunter-Reay qualified in 20th place on the third qualifying day after crashing in turn 3 on Pole Day. However, he managed to finish the race without incident, finishing in 6th place and winning the race's rookie of the year award. During the next four races Hunter-Reay's best finish was an 8th at the Iowa Corn Indy 250 at Iowa Speedway. At the Camping World Indy Grand Prix at the Glen at Watkins Glen International Hunter-Reay started in 3rd place and was running in 4th place late in the race between Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon and Darren Manning. Briscoe and Dixon then made contact and dropped down the running order as a result. Manning took the lead only for Hunter-Reay to take it away on a lap 52 restart. Hunter-Reay would win his first IndyCar Series race and Rahal Letterman would win their first race in four years.