SPEED signs IndyCar driver Hinchcliffe

James Hinchcliffe

IndyCar racer James Hinchcliffe recently signed a deal with FOX Sports Media Group to provide analysis for the popular SPEED weekend series SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.

“Hinch is a natural in front of the camera," said Jim Chiappelli, SPEED Coordinating Producer of Studio Programming/News Director. “He has a great TV presence and has quickly developed a chemistry with our hosts. Above all, he has that unique perspective from the driver’s seat and the outgoing personality to be entertaining as well as informative. I look at James as another credible voice who can talk about a variety of motor sports."

The network first began taking note of Hinchcliffe as he embraced his role as successor to Danica Patrick in the high-profile GoDaddy.com IndyCar ride at Andretti Autosport. His personality and social media prowess were quickly evident, and became magnified during a guest appearance on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain in the spring of 2012.

“I try to appreciate that not everybody watching is a racing expert," said Hinchcliffe, 26, who delivered a video blog for SPEED in 2012, documenting his experience at the Indianapolis 500. “I try to convey to people who may not know the terminology or don’t have the experience … just what is going on. It’s an exciting sport and there is a lot going on and I want the viewers to get the most out of it."