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.