Now that the IndyCar series has moved into the second half of the season, it’s time to see some of the potential and success that Canadian James Hinchcliffe showed last season. The first half of his year has been plagued with bad luck and over-aggressive driving, but the midway point of the season is here and it’s a good time for a fresh start. The Pocono IndyCar 500 this weekend provides a perfect opportunity for the Canadian driver to change his own luck.
A year ago, Pocono provided a spark for Scott Dixon as he began a streak of race wins and success that eventually led him to the series title. There’s no reason why Hinchcliffe can’t use this race as a jumping off point as well. Last season, Hinchcliffe didn’t even complete the first lap at Pocono after crashing in Turn 1, but he — and the other Hondas — were fast on the oddly-shaped, three-turn track. This year’s race is also now 500-miles long and pays double points in the standings. It’s a great chance to make a statement for the rest of the year.
Next week for the Oakville, ON native is the oval at Iowa where he skated away from the competition a year ago and captured his third victory of 2013 in dominating fashion. I realize I’m projecting well into the future, but if Hinchcliffe and the Andretti Autosport team can find a little magic in Pocono and once again have success in Iowa, it would be great momentum in advance of the “Two in TO” weekend. With two races on the streets at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Hinchcliffe could ride the wave of hometown emotion.
A couple of top-five finishes so far this season isn’t satisfactory. Hinchcliffe knows that and would do anything he could to change the results to this point. The only way to get people to stop looking at the earlier races and wondering what might have been is to start finishing at the front of the field where you were expected to be after last year’s breakout season.
Hinchcliffe and his team should also feel comfortable — if not confident — heading into this weekend after running very well at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Indy 500. Of course, teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay was the winner so it’s not outside the realm of possibility to see the Canadian hopeful be a contender this weekend.
And as nice a story as it would be for Canadian race fans to see their star perform, it’s starting to become a necessity for Hinchcliffe. The Mayor of Hinchtown is known best for his accessibility and his friendly, charming and outgoing personality — easily one of the most popular racers on the IndyCar circuit. But he would also like to be thought of as one of the most successful drivers on the circuit.