In 2013, James Hinchcliffe earned his firs of six IndyCar wins on the St. Petersburg road course. 13 years later, he shall be racing once more on the website of that first triumph, however in a really tough form of race automobile — or truck.
Hinchcliffe will pilot the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports within the first-ever NCTS race at St. Pete on February, as a part of IndyCar’s opening weekend. IndyCar legend Dario Franchitti beforehand introduced plans to run the race, driving for TRICON (the reigning collection champions).
Spire is a extremely succesful staff as properly with 9 victories within the Truck Collection, together with 4 final season.
‘Baptism by fireplace’
“I’m tremendous excited to run my first truck race at St. Pete,” mentioned Hinchcliffe, a local of Ontario, Canada. “Once they introduced the vans could be working there, I knew I needed to attempt to make one thing occur as a result of I simply love this observe and I’ve all the time needed to attempt one thing within the NASCAR world. I’ve been within the Spire household for a very long time, so it simply made sense to run with them. I can’t thank Dan (Towriss), Jeff (Dickerson), Invoice (Anthony) – actually everybody at Spire – sufficient for making this come collectively.
“It is going to be a baptism of fireside,” Hinchcliffe continued. “Having my first race in a truck being on a road course with no room for error, however these races all the time seem like a lot enjoyable, so I’m actually wanting ahead to the chance. Plus, I like that it’s going to be proven on FOX Sports activities, with a few of my IndyCar colleagues becoming a member of the printed, so that ought to add an additional layer of enjoyable to it.”
It should even be a weekend the place Hinch is pulling a singular form of double-duty, as he’ll be within the broadcast sales space for the IndyCar race after competing within the Truck race.
Hinchcliffe began 161 IndyCar races in his profession, collected 18 podiums together with these aforementioned six victories, and even earned pole place for the 2016 Indianapolis 500. He is additionally raced prestigious occasions just like the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in IMSA, and the Bathurst 1000 in Supercars, however NASCAR shall be completely new to the 39-year-old.
“James had an incredible open-wheel profession with wins and poles throughout all types of formulation, however I am not even positive he is ever watched a NASCAR race.” mentioned Spire Motorsports Co-Proprietor Jeff Dickerson. “I do know it means a bit of extra to (Co-Proprietor) Dan (Towriss) and I, personally, to have the ability to do that with him and when he known as Dan and needed to provide it a go it appeared proper on model for all of us. This positively will not be the primary time we have been out on a ledge collectively. We’re all actually grateful to Delaware Life for coming alongside for the trip and giving us a weekend to recollect.”
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