Hildebrand puts talk of future plans on back burner
The 2018 season could look vastly different than it does today for all but a handful of Verizon IndyCar Series drivers.
Some could be driving for a different manufacturer. Some could be driving for a different team. Some might not be driving Indy cars at all.
As IndyCar enters the heat of its silly season, it seems the rumor mills churn out a different scenario to consider every day. Driver Y is moving to Team X as soon as Driver W signs with Team Z. It’s enough to make your head spin.
That is, unless you’re JR Hildebrand.
Though Hildebrand’s name headlines much of the paddock gossip, the Ed Carpenter Racing driver doesn’t put much thought into hypotheticals or even about his uncertain future. The pilot of the No. 21 Chevrolet doesn’t see the point because, with four races remaining, there is plenty of his 2017 story that has yet to be written.
“I’m not concerned with what’s going on next year at all,” said Hildebrand, whose job at Ed Carpenter Racing is only guaranteed through the remainder of the season. “Once the checkered flag drops at (the season finale in) Sonoma, then we’ll slowly migrate into thinking about next year. But we’ve still got a number of events left that can shape our season here, so that’s what we’re focused on right now.”
Hildebrand, who signed with Ed Carpenter Racing last offseason to secure his first full-time ride since 2012, acknowledged that he is hopeful to return to the team next season and capitalize on the strides his team has made. However, he and his boss have not had many discussions about it.
“I’ve had a good relationship with Ed for a long time,” said the 29-year-old California native, who sits 15th in the standings. “We’ve talked about how this year is going very honestly at times throughout the season — good, bad and otherwise. But I don’t think either of us are going to stress about what’s going on next year until this year is over. There’s still races to be run.”
Those remaining races, Hildebrand seemed to hint, are “not inconsequential” in sorting out his future. While that might amp up the pressure for him to perform in the last leg of the season, recent history suggests Hildebrand has good reason to believe he could be due excellent results in at least two of the final four races.
Although he’s not fond of the “oval specialist” label often thrust upon him, he can’t deny that he’s struggled on street and road courses while round tracks have seen him at his best. Both of Hildebrand’s podiums this season came at ovals (Phoenix Raceway and Iowa Speedway), and with two oval races remaining — Aug. 20 at Pocono Raceway and Aug. 26 at Gateway Motorsports Park — he has an opportunity to make a good and lasting impression on Carpenter or any other potential suitors for 2018.
Combine good results at Pocono and Gateway with positive steps forward on the remaining road circuits — Sept. 3 at Watkins Glen International and Sept. 17 at Sonoma Raceway — and the future, Hildebrand said, will take care of itself.
“That’s what I’m focused on — just where we can continue to seek improvement,” said Hildebrand, whose best finish on a street or road circuit this year is 11th (at Long Beach).
“In looking toward next year, it’s not something I’m doing yet, but once we get to the end of season, assuming we continue to feel like we’re homing in where those improvements can be made, yeah, you can get a lot accomplished in the offseason and you can kind of continue to narrow that focus and move forward.
“Honestly, it’s frustrating that we’ve not been able to get on a consistent upward arc in our results this year. …
“But it’s a super-competitive series, and we’ve seen things coming together. I think you have to have some internal belief that it’s going the right direction and you have the right attitude about it.”