Jay Howard tabbed to pilot Schmidt Peterson Motorsports' third entry at Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- IndyCar veteran Jay Howard has finalized a deal that will make him Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’ third entry at this May's 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500. According to a source close to Howard, the deal has been completed and soon will be announced by the team.

The Englishman, who will join full-season SPM entrants James Hinchcliffe and rookie Robert Wickens, returns to the SPM garage and the 500 for the second consecutive year. Howard’s entry will give SPM four in this year’s field, as the team also has a technical partnership with Michael Shank Racing, which will run Jack Harvey at the 500.

SPM declined to comment.

Last season Howard drove the No. 77 SPM Honda and was sponsored by Team One Cure, an animal cancer philanthropy funded by The Tony Stewart Foundation. The Indianapolis resident completed 45 laps before ricocheting off the wall and into Scott Dixon, whose car somersaulted through the air and landed on the SAFER barrier. Both drivers walked away from the incident with relatively minor injuries.

Howard showed well early in the race, climbing from his starting spot of 20th to 12th at one point before running out of fuel, enduring some electrical issues and falling a lap behind the field.

The 102nd Indianapolis 500 will be Howard’s third attempt at the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." He started 20th in 2011 and finished 30th after his right rear tire came off while exiting pit lane.

SPM originally had intended to run Tristan Gommendy in a partnership with Didier Calmels. However, not long after Calmels' criminal history -- he was convicted of killing his wife in 1990 -- came to light, the deal was called off and SPM renewed its search for a third entry.

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Follow IndyStar Motor Sports Insider Jim Ayello on Twitter and Instagram: @jimayello; and on Facebook: @jamesayello.