Hinchcliffe Can’t Wait For The 2016 IndyCar Season

James Hinchcliffe

Looking fit and healthy James Hinchcliffe traveled to the Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend to soak up the sunshine, to see Jeff Gordon’s last race, to renew business acquaintances and to enjoy the life of a fan. And another motive was to talk to an Xfinity Series owner or two about a road course ride next summer, even though he’s never driven a stock car. “I really want to do a road course race in an Infinity car next year," he said. “For me, Watkins Glen would be an awesome one, as it is so close to Canada."

Hinchcliffe says he is fully recovered from his frightening accident at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway six months ago. In that high-speed practice crash, the affable Canadian had a suspension piece pierce his left thigh and fracture his pelvis. While seriously injured and hospitalized for an extended period, the results could have been much worse if not for the quick and professional action of the Holmatro Safety team, who basically saved his life.

After undergoing a series of operations and persevering intense physical therapy, Hinchcliffe returned to action in a practice outing at Road America in September. “I am feeling well and it was good to get back to work," he said. “A four month vacation sounds great on paper but in actuality, it wasn’t much fun. It was so nice to be able to strap back in an IndyCar again."

Hinchcliffe is returning to Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team, and the team is fully intact from the 2015 season. “Everything is status-quo with the No. 5 team, and now they need to sort out who my teammate will be in the No. 7 car. Teammates are important, and we want to build on this relationship."

For Hinchcliffe, the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season can’t start soon enough and he’s thrilled to be part of the action. Press Release/Joe Jennings/Racing Nation