Photo Credit: Kreistina Blinova
If there was any question of how James Hinchcliffe fared in the Honda Indy, the Toronto fans answered as the crowds roared with excitement after Hinchcliffe’s No. 5 Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda crossed the finish line in third.
Hinchcliffe had been vocal throughout the weekend about how he normally runs into poor luck in front of his hometown fans, but this weekend was different for the Oakville, Ont. native. Hinchcliffe made the Firestone Fast Six in qualifying on Saturday, and ran well all day Sunday before picking up his podium finish.
“For once in my career here in Toronto we caught a lucky break,” Hinchcliffe said. “It’s not just that I haven’t had great luck here, I’ve had insanely bad luck here. Today we were on the other side of that. It’s part of IndyCar racing.”
Hinchcliffe took advantage of a mid-race caution that caught some of the leaders out before pitting, and was able to make up a lot of ground. With about 40 laps to go, Hinchcliffe was riding in the third spot just behind Tony Kanaan and Will Power, and in position to contend for the win.
“I feel bad for guys like Scott (Dixon) that got caught out by that yellow,” he said. “It happens. We’ve been on the other side of it for sure. Will (Power) has been on the other side of it at this race. It happens. It’s the nature of the beast. For the number of times it goes against us, we’ll take the time it goes to us.”
Although it wasn’t the top spot on the podium, the top-three finish is something Hinchcliffe has dreamed about since he was a kid and watching this race from the grandstands.
“No doubt this will be a highlight in the career reel, memory reel,” said Hinchcliffe. “Hopefully we can better it in the future. It would be so great to win here. I’ve just always wanted to give the Toronto fans a good result because they’ve been so supportive day in and day out from the start of my IndyCar career.
“Good, bad or indifferent, they’re just such a phenomenal group of people. Really knowledgeable, really passionate fans. The support, like I said, has been incredible. Finally good to give them a good result to cheer for.”
