Hunter-Reay, Hinchcliffe Ring in New Year Memorably

Ryan Hunter-Reay

Verizon IndyCar Series drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay and James Hinchcliffe found memorable ways to ring in the new year. Hunter-Reay drove the "pace car" for the 127th annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., while Hinchcliffe attended the NHL's Bridgestone Winter Classic in Foxborough, Mass.

Honda, which supplies engines to Hunter-Reay's Andretti Autosport Verizon IndyCar Series team, asked him to lead the parade of floats and bands in its new Acura NSX on New Year's Day while his family watched from the grandstands. While it was at a snail's pace – 2.5 mph – to what he is accustomed, Hunter-Reay filed it away in the memory books.

"I never thought I could drive so slow for so long!" said Hunter-Reay, the 2012 Verizon IndyCar Series and 2014 Indianapolis 500 champion. "But the crowd was absolutely amazing for the entire 5.5-mile parade route. Today really makes me want to jump back into my Honda-powered Indy car and put my foot down and race. I am ready for some speed, for sure!"

Later in the day, the Hunter-Reays attended the 102nd Rose Bowl Game, which Stanford won 45-16 over Iowa.

Hinchcliffe and his smoking hot girlfriend Kirsten

A native Canadian, Hinchcliffe was right at home for the Winter Classic, played Jan. 1 on the specially created outdoor rink at Gillette Stadium, the home of the NFL's New England Patriots. Hinchcliffe watched the Montreal Canadiens defeat the Boston Bruins, 5-1, and attended other special events over a three-day period as a special guest of INDYCAR partners Firestone and Honda.

On New Year's Eve, "The Mayor of Hinchtown" was up close for the NHL alumni players' game, where he was interviewed on the live broadcast by INDYCAR's Canadian broadcast partner Sportsnet. The rink remained intact Jan. 2 for a public skate, where Hinchcliffe donned a pair of skates and took to the ice with youngsters from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston.