IndyCar driver ‘Hinch’ has set big goals on the track
LONG POND, Pa. — James Hinchcliffe just tried to act like a friendly tourist during a visit to Philadelphia. When he saw four people on a city sidewalk trying to squeeze into a selfie frame in front of Independence Hall, Hinchcliffe volunteered to snap the photo for them.
Turned out, just blocks from Ben Franklin’s grave, Betsy Ross’s house and the Liberty Bell, the top attraction was the guy holding the iPhone.
“Hey, wait a minute, aren’t you …”
Yes, one of the women in the group instantly recognized the former “Dancing With The Stars” contestant, who also happens to be a race car driver and the self-proclaimed Mayor of Hinchtown.
“The first thing this lady said to me was, ‘We were so mad you didn’t win!’ It’s just so funny how invested they get in the show,” he said.
Hinchcliffe and his professional partner, Sharna Burges, were runners-up last November in the popular dance competition television series. “Hinch” has noticed an uptick in getting recognized since he freestyled his way into the national spotlight.
His dancing shoes came with some perks, putting him one step closer to living like an A-lister — or at least having an easier time scoring a reservation at the latest hot spot.
“If you want to go somewhere, they return your phone call. That’s the big difference,” he said, laughing. “It’s not just, ‘Who?’”
The 30-year-old Canadian was already a popular presence around the IndyCar paddock, with his comeback from a life-threatening injury two years ago at Indianapolis Motor Speedway earning him deeper respect among his peers.
But there are a few more goals Hinchcliffe would like to reach that would mean more than any Mirrorball Trophy. He heads into today’s race at Pocono Raceway looking for his second victory of the season and his first multi-win season since 2013. He will start 12th after posting a qualifying speed of 217.556 mph Saturday.
Hinchcliffe wants to firm up his future with Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports, and he still has an eye on landing a ride in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series after an agreement with Jack Roush and sponsor GoDaddy collapsed in 2013.
Hinchcliffe’s “Dancing” fame surely lifted him into a higher tax bracket — and even a bit of new zip code. He had a guest spot on the crime-solving series “Private Eyes,” directed by former “Beverly Hills 90210” star Jason Priestley. Hinchcliffe has appeared on “Celebrity Family Feud,” developed his own beer brands — the Hinchtown Hammerdown and The Bricks — and is a partner in a Toronto-based video production company.
On the track, his seventh IndyCar season has had more up and downs than the steps in a jazz routine. He won a threelap shootout to the finish in April on the streets of Long Beach, Calif. That secured his first victory since 2015 in New Orleans, which came a month before his accident at IMS. He has had three podium placements this year but did not finish three races and, in 10th place in the standings, is well out of championship contention.
He’s also a free agent after this year, though he seems likely to return for a third season in the No. 5 Honda.
“Sure, you’d like to have your contract sorted, a month ago, ideally,” he said. “We’re not too antsy just yet. Continuity is a huge thing in motorsports. There’s a lot to be said for building up a program you’ve been in for a while.
“This team is really poised to kind of make that jump. We’re right there with the big guys. I think we’re making the right moves behind the scenes to make that happen. So in a lot of ways, it would be great to stay.”
Sato wins pole
Takuma Sato, this year’s Indy 500 champion, posted a qualifying speed of 219.639 mph to earn the pole position for today’s race.
Simon Pagenaud joins Sato on the front row. Charlie Kimball and Tony Kanaan are on the second row.
Sato was the last driver to take his laps and went out moments after Andretti Autosport teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay was involved in a high-impact crash. Hunter-Reay needed assistance out of his car, limped to an ambulance and was transported to a hospital.
Hunter-Reay appeared to lose control of the No. 28 Honda, and the left side slammed the protective soft wall. The car shot down the track and hit the inside wall.
Helio Castroneves also was involved in a violent wreck, though he was checked and released from the infield care center. Castroneves is the series points leader and holds a seven-point lead over Josef Newgarden with just four races left this season.