James Hinchcliffe: Some Things You Didn’t Know
If you are a fan of Dancing With the Stars, you know how the show works. If not, it is simple. Celebrities and sports figures are paired up with professional dancers, and they work together to create a dance routine each week. The pairs perform for the judges, hoping to get a score that is high enough to keep them from being eliminated. The show is extremely popular, and it is currently in its 23rd season. One of the front runners of season 23 is James Hinchcliffe. If you don’t know much about James, you should continue reading.
James’ True Profession
When James isn’t winning America’s heart on Dancing With the Stars, he is a race car driver and a very good one at that. He has been a four-time race winner at the Verizon IndyCar Series. In 2011, he earned the title of Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year. In 2010, he was a runner-up in Indy Lights. In 2010, he was the Greg Moore Legacy Award winner. Finally, in 2011, he won the Tony Renna Rising Star Award.
He is Canadian
James was born on December 5, 1986, in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada. His father, Jeremy, was originally from England, and he was a racing fan. Since most of his neighbors were born and raised in Canada, they loved hockey. Jeremy loved racing and he passed that love down to his son. When his father was 45 years old, he bought a vintage car and started racing with a bunch of his friends. The next year, James got his first vintage go-kart, and he began racing. He knew from that day that one day, he would race professionally.
James’ Education
Although James knew at a very young age that he wanted to be a race car driver, he still took his education very seriously. After graduating from high school, he attended McMaster University in Ontario, where he graduated before moving on to his true passion, racing.
He is Sponsored by Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
On October 7, 2014, James announced that he was going to be joining the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports group for the 2015 season. He also announced that he would be driving the number 5 car. He pleased his sponsor during his second race of the season During a race in New Orleans, he came in first place.
James Almost Died in a Car Crash
James suffered a near fatal car crash while he was practicing for the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 19, 2015. He had been practicing for about 50 minutes in his Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda No. 5 car, and he was going around the Brickyard at around 223 miles per hour. It was then that the suspension on his car came loose, and it caused the car to smash into the wall. After the impact, his car flipped in a complete rotation.
The onlookers were horrified, wondering if James was still alive after such a serious crash. When the car stopped, a steel rod that was part of the suspension’s wishbone went right through Jame’s right thigh and then into his left leg. He required emergency surgery to save his leg and his life. He also suffered a concussion. Due to the head injury, James doesn’t remember much of the crash. When he woke up after surgery, he had no idea what had happened.
That was his first question. His second question was to ask if his family all day This third question was when he could race again. Many people believe that is for the best, as forgetting the accident makes it easier to get behind the wheel to race again.
James’ Personal Life
James is not currently married, however, he is in a serious relationship. His girlfriend’s name is Rebecca “Becky” Dalton, and she is an actress who lives in Canada. She has appeared in movies on The Hallmark Channel and on the Lifetime Network. She has been cheering James on while he has been competing on Dancing With the Stars. She is also often seen cheering him on during his races.
James Has a Microbrew Beer Named After Him
If you want a good beer, you should try Flat12 Bierwerks’ Hinchtown Hammer Down. It is brewed in Indianapolis and it is named after James. According to the company’s website, it is a pilsner style beer that has a crisp and refreshing taste. They say that it goes down smooth and it is the perfect beer to take to the races. According to James who is a self-proclaimed beer lover, having a beer named after him is a huge honor.
James Has a Dog
James and Rebecca don’t have any kids yet, but they do share an adorable Cockapoo. His name is Lou, and you can see him on James’ Instagram, Rebecca’s Instagram, and he even has his own Instagram account. If you go directly to Lou’s Instagram account, you will often see him posing with a few of his canine friends.
His Appearance on Dancing With the Stars
On October 30, 2016, it was announced that James would be one of the celebrities on season 23 of Dancing With the Stars. He is partnered with Sharna Burgess. So far, he has proved that he is a force to be reckoned with. In the last competition before the finals, it was down to him and singer/actress Jana Kramer. When it came to the end, James won. He will be going on to the finals, and time will only tell how he will perform there.
He Has a Stake in a Production Company
Besides being a race car driver, a dancer, and a contestant on a competition show, James is also a partner with a production company. It is called Frost Marks Films, and it is located in Toronto.
James Hinchcliffe is a man of many talents. After mastering the art of race car driving, he tried his hand at dancing on season 23 of Dancing With the Stars. He has been doing excellent thus far. Even after a near death accident last year, he hasn’t let that keep him down. James is a true role model.