Jay Howard will not be racing in the Indianopolis 500 later this month.

The Basildon-born driver had been due to contest America's biggest motor race on May 25.

But the rookie Indy driver has been replaced by IndyCar Series veteran John Andretti in the number 24 Roth Racing car for the Indy 500.

The decision from Roth Racing bosses came after rain wrecked practice for the annual event.

"Our driver change really stems from our last few days on the track and Jay being a rookie," Roth Racing Team President Margaret Roth said.

"We really felt the impact of not having those days on the track and we needed to have someone who could work with Marty to build the car.

"Jay was doing well," she added. "We just lost the days and felt John brought with him a wealth of experience and felt he and Marty could work together and build two competitive cars.

"That was really our goal to ensure that we were able to put two competitive cars out on the race track."

Roth confirmed that 27-year-old Howard will be back in the car for the next round of the IndyCar Series at the Milwaukee Mile on Sunday, June 1.