Star Biography

James Hinchcliffe is arguably one of the most popular drivers in the Verizon IndyCar Series. Currently in his sixth racing season and second for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, the affable Canadian has four Indy car wins, 10 podiums and one pole position to date. He was voted IndyCar's Favorite Driver in 2012 by the fans and was 2011 Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year.

In 2015, the 29-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries from a practice crash for the Indianapolis 500, which ended his season after only five races. After a long road to recovery and rehabilitation, James returned to racing this year in even better shape than before. He earned his first IndyCar pole at the 100^th Running of the Indianapolis 500, the venue that almost destroyed his career.

The self-proclaimed Mayor of Hinchtown, his internet civilization, also is the namesake of Hinchtown Hammer Down Ale, a craft beer from Flat12 Bierwerks in Indianapolis. Away from the track, James is a certified Scuba diver and will often be found below the surface getting some "me time." However, he can still find a way to live dangerously, having swum with the sharks in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.

A collector of guitars and lighters, he counts Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Guy among his favorite guitarists and boasts a collection of lighters dating back to the 1930s, including some soldier-issued World War II lighters. 

James is partnered with Pro Sharna Burgess.