INDIANAPOLIS — After finishing sixth in Sunday’s 92nd Indianapolis 500, Ryan Hunter-Reay got a few words of encouragement from co-team owner David Letterman, star of “The Late Show with David Letterman” on CBS.
“He (Letterman) said, ‘Just five spots away from being on my show,’” Hunter-Reay quipped.
That may have been the quote of the day, but it was appropriate for the driver who was the highest-finishing rookie in the 500.
For most of the month of May at  Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hunter-Reay was the voice of frustration, culminating with a crash during his second qualifying attempt on pole day.
With second-day qualifications rained out, the team went back to work during the second week, and the car got slower rather than faster. He finally got the Ethanol car into the starting lineup in 20th position.
But on race day, Hunter-Reay was able to race his way through the field and finish with an impressive sixth-place finish.
 “I’ve learned a lot of lessons this month,” Hunter-Reay admitted. “One thing, for sure, at the Indianapolis 500 qualifying doesn’t make all that much difference unless you’re on the front row.
“We fought our way through it, passed cars the whole day. It was pretty cool, cool to be a part of. I learned a lot about the track. I can’t tell you how different it is when the car has a bunch of push on it on cold tires in traffic. It’s difficult. We’re definitely earning our money at that point.”
Sometimes a driver’s reward at the Indy 500 doesn’t come early in the month, but on race day.
Isn’t the way it should be?
“Man, I’m so relieved,” Hunter-Reay said. “This is a great finish for us. I drove so hard today. This year, I think, means a lot more to the rookie, Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year battle than in a bunch of years, maybe 12 years. There has been some great drivers come through the rookies, but it’s been very slim in the past year.
“This is 11 drivers, a very talented field. Man, this is a great field to be on top of. I drove my heart out all day, and the team, we made the car better and better. Hideki Mutoh kept blocking me there at the end, and I had the fire in my eyes to get him. I wasn’t going to let the race finish with that kid in front of me, that’s for sure.”