It might have been in a unique type race automobile and in a unique racing sequence, however for the primary 25 laps of Saturday’s Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside IMSA race, Robert Wickens was not a shadow of his former self. He was proper the place he belonged, like he was in a lot of his transient IndyCar profession: main the sphere.
And convincingly at that, constructing greater than a six-second lead at one level over his fellow drivers. Had he not been for a pre-planned driver change with teammate Mason Filippi, it could not have been a shock if Wickens had held on the remainder of the best way to earn his first win in IMSA competitors.
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Somewhat, he drove as he did in his excellent rookie season within the IndyCar sequence in 2018 – earlier than his life and racing profession have been each endlessly modified by a brutal crash at Pocono Raceway that left him a paraplegic.
Sport Bilder des Tages August 19, 2018 – Lengthy Pond, Pennsylvania, United Acknowledged – ROBERT WICKENS (6) of Canada is airlifted to the hospital following a wreck in the course of the opening phases of the ABC Provide 500 at Pocono Raceway in Lengthy Pond, Pennsylvania. IndyCar Indy Automobile IRL USA 2018: Verizon IndyCar Sequence ABC Provide 500 August 19 – ZUMAa161 20180819_zaa_a161_005 Copyright: xChrisxOwensxAspxIncx
Earlier than that fateful day, Wickens was an IndyCar star within the making. Driving for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, he was a lock to win Rookie of the Yr honors, having scored 4 podiums and 4 different top-six finishes in his first 14 races of the 17-race season. Actually, one race earlier than his life-altering crash at Pocono, Wickens had completed an in depth runner-up at Mid-Ohio.
But even with the useful lack of his legs beneath the waist, the Canadian driver by no means gave up his dream to roar again in a race automobile, and since 2022, he’s been doing simply that, primarily in sports activities vehicles.
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Finest mates with former IndyCar driver, present TV analyst and fellow Canadian James Hinchcliffe, Wickens is a part of a novel fraternity that has not let nice adversity cease them from persevering with to pursue their desires. Amongst these:
* Former IndyCar driver Alex Zanardi misplaced each legs in a race, but nonetheless continued on with prosthetics.
* Multi-champion Wayne Rainey was paralyzed in a bike accident, however got here again to guide the MotoAmerica Sequence as its president.
* Former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt, who was paralyzed in a crash on the former Walt Disney World racetrack, went on to construct a successful IndyCar group as an proprietor earlier than he merged with Arrow McLaren.
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* Jay Blake was blinded in an industrial accident, however that didn’t cease him to turn into each a sightless group proprietor and crew chief – and he’s transferring up this 12 months in school to NHRA Humorous Automobile after 20 years in Prime Alcohol Humorous Automobile! He’s the right instance of the charitable basis he based over 20 years in the past, Observe A Dream.
* And there’s additionally former NHRA Prime Gas driver Darrell Gwynn, who additionally was paralyzed in a racing mishap throughout an exhibition race in the UK, however who has gone on to be an incredible ambassador not just for spinal twine analysis (for athletes and common of us, as properly), but additionally for the game that he gave his profession to, drag racing.
Ranging from the pole place Saturday, his first pole in seven IMSA GTD class begins, Wickens, driving the No. 36 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, solely noticed open observe forward of him till he lastly got here into the pit for the driving force change.
Robert Wickens Hyundai Motorsports, Elantra N TCR im Rollstuhl, GER, ADAC Ravenol 24 Stunden Rennen Nuerburgring 2025, Qualifying, 19.06.2025 GER, ADAC Ravenol 24 Stunden Rennen Nuerburgring 2025, Qualifying, 19.06.2025 Nuerburg *** Robert Wickens Hyundai Motorsports, Elantra N TCR in wheelchair, GER, ADAC Ravenol 24 hours race Nuerburgring 2025, Qualifying, 19 06 2025 GER, ADAC Ravenol 24 hours race Nuerburgring 2025, Qualifying, 19 06 2025 Nuerburg Copyright: xEibner-Pressefoto/Memmlerx EP_MMR
Wickens clicked off every of the primary 25 laps with ease. He was by far the category of the sphere. No one might sustain with him, not to mention catch him.
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“I don’t know what occurred to (his closest rivals initially of the race), however all of a sudden we had fairly a good quantity of house behind,” Wickens mentioned. “We have been a little bit nervous for our driver change on if we might lose time or a minimum of preserve establishment. So the purpose for me was to construct a spot, simply in case.”
Whereas Filippi began off robust in aid of Wickens, he finally fell again throughout his 43 laps behind the wheel, notably because of the quicker GTP vehicles additionally within the occasion in addition to lapped site visitors, but nonetheless managed to offer the group a decent sixth-place end.
“Mason did a tremendous job, and I’m fairly certain I simply discovered we had the fifth-fastest within the pit lane,” Wickens mentioned. “I’ll take that each one day.”
In all seven of his profession GTD begins, all with DXDT Racing, Wickens has now managed to earn two top-five (together with a finest displaying of fourth in Canada final season) and 4 different top-10 finishes, together with Saturday’s sixth-place displaying. Most drivers could be envious of a report like that – and but Wickens has achieved these feats, properly, with out his toes – no pun supposed – utilizing solely his fingers and specially-equipped Bosch hand controls to steer, speed up and brake.
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After he was carried from his race automobile for the deliberate driver change, two issues occurred that mentioned the identical factor: When Wickens took off his helmet, he had one of many greatest smiles he’s ever had on his face, pounding the pit highway wall in pleasure at what he had simply achieved, whereas on the identical time nearly everybody within the estimated 40,000 followers in attendance cheered and stood as much as give him a well-deserved standing ovation.
April 17, 2026, Lengthy Seaside, California, USA: April 17, 2026, Lengthy Seaside, California.The 36: DXDT Racing, Corvette Z06 GTD pushed by Mason Filippi, Robert Wickens throughout qualifying for the Acura Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside. Lengthy Seaside USA – ZUMAd212 20260417_zsp_d212_002 Copyright: xRichardxDolex
“To be trustworthy, that was a fairy story stint,” Wickens mentioned. “The Corvette Z06 GT3.R was simply so good to drive round this observe. Each lap is a dream. It was an excellent stint.”
Wickens, who nonetheless desires of sooner or later with the ability to race within the Indianapolis 500, might by no means get all the best way again to what he was earlier than the Pocono horror, however he’s already confirmed to himself and everybody else that something is feasible.
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And when his subsequent IMSA begin comes up in two weeks at Laguna Seca (Might 1-3), the subsequent pure development is for Wickens to not solely take the pole once more, however extra importantly, end this time with a win.
And if there’s anybody that may – no, wait, scratch that, make that if anybody WILL do it, it most undoubtedly will probably be Robert Tyler Wickens.
