Hinchcliffe grabs first victory since near-fatal 2015 accident

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Not once did James Hinchcliffe think his career was over after a near-fatal accident in 2015.

The IndyCar star nearly bled to death after wrecking in practice at the Indianapolis 500, and even though his injuries sidelined him the rest of the season, he knew he’d be back.

Indeed, he ran a full season last year, then had a successful stint on Dancing With the Stars in which he raised his profile while finishing second on the show.

At long last, he’s got his first win on the race track since his accident.

Hinchcliffe won a three-lap shootout to the finish Sunday on the streets of Long Beach to win in a Honda for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. It was the Canadian’s first victory since 2015 at New Orleans, a month before his accident at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Hinchcliffe’s life was saved nearly two years ago by the at-track safety crew that smartly pinched off the blood flow and raced him into surgery. He had a pole-winning run at the Indianapolis 500 last year that cemented his return, but he still needed a victory.

He’ll gladly take it at Long Beach, the most historic street course race in the country.

IndyCar goes to the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park April 21-23. Team Penske driver Simon Pagenaud is the defending race winner, and Barber officials recently taught the Frenchman “how to speak Southern” in promotion of the race.