Fast Facts: James Hinchcliffe

Credit: IndyCar Media/LAT Photo USA 
James Hinchcliffe, driver of the No. 27 GoDaddy.com car in the IZOD IndyCar Series, has taken the task of succeeding Danica Patrick in the Andretti Autosport ride to heart, as witnessed during driver introductions at the season-opening race at St. Petersburg, Florida. Learn more about this Canadian driver in this week’s Fast Facts.
  • James Hinchcliffe was born December 5, 1986 in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. He competed in several karting series in Canada and the United States as a youth, winning the TKC Junior Rotax Class Karting Championship, the Junior Rotax Canada Cup and the TKC Winter Series Championship in 2002.

  • In 2003, Hinchcliffe moved up to the Bridgestone Racing Academy F2000 Series, finishing third in points with five wins and four poles. He progressed through the Formula BMW USA Series, the Star Mazda Series and the Champ Car Atlantic Championship; Hinchcliffe finished fourth in the Atlantic Championship in both 2007 and 2008, leading to his move to the Firestone IndyLights Series in 2009.

  • In two seasons in the Indy Lights Series, Hinchcliffe finished fifth in 2009 and second in 2010, picking up three wins in 2010 along with the Greg Moore Legacy Award as the series’ rising star. In 2011, he signed with Newman/Haas Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series; he went on to finish 12th in points and was named Sunoco Rookie of the Year in the series, recording seven top 10 finishes.

  • In January 2012, Hinchcliffe was named the new driver of the GoDaddy.com car for Andretti Autosport.

  • Off the track, Hinchcliffe is the “Mayor of Hinchtown,” his own “internet civilization” as he prefers to call his website, http://www.hinchtown.com/. According to the site, Hinchcliffe likes “long walks on the beach, flannel shirts, maple syrup and sled dog racing,” and spends his spare time as a “competitive lumber jack.”
Fast Facts: James Hinchcliffe Fast Facts: James Hinchcliffe Reviewed by Paula on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Rating: 5