History of James Hinchcliffe in Timeline

James Hinchcliffe is a Canadian race car driver, currently participating in the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Pfaff Motorsports while commentating for FOX Sports. He is most recognized for his career in the IndyCar Series.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

December 5, 1986: James Hinchcliffe Born

On December 5, 1986, James Douglas Meredith Hinchcliffe was born. He is a Canadian race car driver.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Started Car Racing

In 2003, Hinchcliffe started his car racing career, finishing third in the Bridgestone Racing Academy F2000 series.

2005: Raced in Star Mazda Series

In 2005, Hinchcliffe raced in the Star Mazda Series, finishing third overall with three wins.

2006: Moved to Champ Car Atlantic Series

In 2006, Hinchcliffe moved to the Champ Car Atlantic Series with Forsythe Racing. He won one race at Portland and scored two other podiums, but was only able to finish 10th in the overall standings.

2007: Commentary for Eurosport coverage of Champ Car

During the 2007 season, Hinchcliffe also provided commentary for the Eurosport coverage of Champ Car events.

2007: Raced in Champ Car Atlantic Series

In 2007, Hinchcliffe once again raced in the Champ Car Atlantic Series, this time with the Sierra Sierra team. He finished fourth in points without a win. During the season he was also a guest commentator on the international feed for Champ Car races.

2008: Returned to Forsythe Racing

In 2008, Hinchcliffe returned to Forsythe Racing for the Atlantic Championship season, finishing fourth in points and capturing a win at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

2009: Competed in Indy Lights

For the 2009 season, Hinchcliffe competed in Indy Lights for Sam Schmidt Motorsports in their No. 7 car. Hinchcliffe finished fourth in points without a win or pole position.

2010: Driver Analyst for Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network

In 2010, Hinchcliffe served as the driver analyst for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network for the Indianapolis 500.

2010: Signed with Team Moore Racing

In the 2010 season, Hinchcliffe signed with Team Moore Racing in their No. 2 entry. Hinchcliffe captured three wins and five more podium finishes on his way to second in the championship.

April 2011: Signed with Newman/Haas Racing

In April 2011, Hinchcliffe signed with Newman/Haas Racing to compete in the remainder of 2011 IndyCar Series, excluding the Twin Ring Motegi race, after missing the first race of the season at St. Petersburg. He made his debut at Barber Motorsports Park and failed to finish after making contact with a spinning E. J. Viso.

2011: Rookie of the Year Honors

In 2011, after the race was cancelled due to Wheldon's death, points were reset to how it was as of Kentucky, so Hinchcliffe collected Rookie of the Year Honors, just beating out Panther Racing's J. R. Hildebrand. However, after the 2011 IndyCar season it was announced that Newman/Haas Racing would not be returning to IndyCar making Hinchcliffe a free agent.

January 10, 2012: Joined Andretti Autosport

On January 10, 2012, Hinchcliffe was announced as Danica Patrick's successor as the driver of the GoDaddy car for Andretti Autosport. The car was renumbered to No. 27.

2013: First Series Victory

In 2013, Hinchcliffe started the season by winning the season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida, for his first series victory. Later, in Brazil for the São Paulo Indy 300, Hinchcliffe won the race, with a last turn overtake under Takuma Sato, breaking the winning sequence of Will Power.

October 7, 2014: Joined Schmidt Peterson Motorsports

On October 7, 2014, it was announced that Hinchcliffe would join Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for the 2015 season and drive the No. 5 car, filling the open seat left by Simon Pagenaud.

2014: Concussion at Grand Prix of Indianapolis

During the 2014 Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Hinchcliffe was hit by debris, and a CT scan revealed he had suffered a concussion. He was cleared to return to racing on May 15, five days after the incident.

2015: The Mayor on Air

From 2015 Hinchcliffe maintained his podcast The Mayor on Air with James Hinchcliffe, typically interviewing drivers from the IndyCar Series.

2015: Serious Injuries in Crash

In 2015, Hinchcliffe sustained serious injuries in a crash during practice for the Indianapolis 500. The right side of the car was disintegrated, and he was pinned in the cockpit; one of the suspension pieces had penetrated the cockpit tub, and punctured Hinchcliffe's thigh, causing profuse bleeding. He was taken to Methodist Hospital for surgery and remained hospitalized during the race. Ryan Briscoe and Conor Daly replaced Hinchcliffe in the car for the remainder of the 2015 season.

May 22, 2016: Won Pole Position for Indianapolis 500

On May 22, 2016, Hinchcliffe won the pole position for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, a year after his near-fatal crash at the track.

August 30, 2016: Appeared on Celebrity Family Feud

On August 30, 2016, Hinchcliffe appeared on an episode of Celebrity Family Feud featuring IndyCar drivers competing against swimsuit models.

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November 22, 2016: Finished Second on Dancing with the Stars

On November 22, 2016, Hinchcliffe finished in second place to Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars.

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2016: Appeared on Dancing with the Stars

In 2016, Hinchcliffe appeared on season 23 of the ABC series Dancing with the Stars, finishing in second place.

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April 9, 2017: Won Long Beach Grand Prix

On April 9, 2017, Hinchcliffe won his first race of the season at the Long Beach Grand Prix, two years after his last win.

2017: The Mayor on Air

Through 2017 Hinchcliffe maintained his podcast The Mayor on Air with James Hinchcliffe, typically interviewing drivers from the IndyCar Series.

July 2018: Engaged to Rebecca "Becky" Dalton

In July 2018, Hinchcliffe became engaged to his high school sweetheart, Canadian actress Rebecca "Becky" Dalton.

2018: Failed to Qualify for Indianapolis 500

In 2018, Hinchcliffe failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 for the first time in his career. In July, Hinchcliffe rebounded to win at Iowa.

2018: Hinchcliffe's best finish

In 2018, after a season which resulted in a best finish of 3rd at Iowa, the recently renamed Arrow McLaren SP relieved Hinchcliffe of his driving duties and signed 2019 Indy Lights champion Oliver Askew and former Carlin driver and 2018 Indy Lights champion Patricio O'Ward to fill their two seats.

August 3, 2019: Married Rebecca "Becky" Dalton

On August 3, 2019, Hinchcliffe wed Canadian actress Rebecca "Becky" Dalton in Ontario.

October 28, 2019: Relieved of Driving Duties by Arrow McLaren SP

On October 28, 2019, Arrow McLaren SP relieved Hinchcliffe of his driving duties and signed Oliver Askew and Patricio O'Ward to fill their two seats. Hinchcliffe remained under contract, under which he was required to be with the team on race weekends and make sponsor appearances, but was free to pursue other opportunities.

February 19, 2020: Signed with Andretti Autosport for Three Races

On February 19, 2020, Andretti Autosport announced they had signed Hinchcliffe to a three-race deal for the 2020 season, marking his second stint with the team. Hinchcliffe was scheduled to compete in the GMR Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the Genesys 600.

2020: Joined NBC Sports as Analyst

In 2020, Hinchcliffe joined NBC Sports as analyst for IndyCar races and select IMSA races when he did not enter as a driver.

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January 26, 2021: Drove for Andretti Autosport Full Time

On January 26, 2021, Andretti Autosport announced that Hinchcliffe would drive the No. 29 car co-entered by Steinbrenner Racing full time for the 2021 season. He finished 20th in the points standings, with a best result of third at the inaugural Music City Grand Prix.

December 12, 2021: Stepped Down From Racing Full-Time

On December 12, 2021, Hinchcliffe announced he would step down from racing full-time and join NBC Sports as a commentator for the IndyCar Series broadcast from the 2022 season onwards.

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October 2022: Joined F1's Weekend Warmup

In October 2022, Hinchcliffe joined the crew of F1's Weekend Warmup for its Grand Prix week editions for the United States Grand Prix and the Mexico City Grand Prix, and in the Post Race Show at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

2022: Commentator for IndyCar Series

In 2022, Hinchcliffe stepped down from racing full-time, and joined NBC Sports as a commentator for the IndyCar Series broadcast from the 2022 season onwards. He was replaced in the No. 29 entry by Devlin DeFrancesco.

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2023: Co-commentator on Channel 4's F1 coverage

In 2023 Hinchcliffe became an occasional co-commentator on Channel 4's F1 coverage in the United Kingdom as well as the official F1TV feed.

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February 17, 2024: Inducted into Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame

On February 17, 2024, Hinchcliffe was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame, becoming the youngest inductee ever at 37 years old.

2025: Main commentator for the NTT IndyCar series for Fox

As of 2025, Hinchcliffe is one of the main commentators for the NTT IndyCar series for Fox, alongside Will Buxton and Townsend Bell. Hinchcliffe also commentates on select Formula 1 races for F1TV.