Confirmed: Rossi re-signs with Andretti

"As always, this silly season is a challenging one for everyone involved, but I am very thankful to have such incredible support from Andretti Autosport, NAPA Auto Parts and Honda," said Rossi. "The improvements that we have made this year and the relationships that I have built within the team over the past two seasons created the foundation for a very exciting future.

"On top of this, I'm very excited about the future of IndyCar and where the whole series is headed. With the new car for next year, it is bound to be even more competitive and exciting than in years past and this is something that I am very proud to be a part of. It is an honor to race alongside such talented drivers and teams and I feel truly blessed in having the opportunity to showcase what I am capable of."

"It's great to have NAPA Auto Parts return in support of Alexander and the team. NAPA has been a fantastic partner, and we look forward to building on the success of the relationship," said team boss Michael Andretti. "Alexander has been a great ambassador both on and off the track and, with only two years of IndyCar experience, he's proven that he is a true competitor as well."

Rossi, the 2016 Indy 500 winner, has become a Honda favorite and it was believed he would be driving for Honda regardless of what Andretti did. A strong recruiting effort to bring Rossi and his Bryan Herta team over to Schmidt Peterson Motorsports to partner with James Hinchcliffe was ultimately unsuccessful.

Currently seventh in the Verizon IndyCar Series standings, Rossi has followed his impressive rookie season with four top-five finishes and nine top-10s in 2017, including a runner-up finish at Toronto, third at Pocono and a pair of fifths at Barber and Belle Isle 1.