James Hinchcliffe is set to hit the streets of St. Petersburg this weekend for the first time since 2021. However, this return comes in a new role for the longtime open-wheel standout — behind the wheel of a NASCAR Truck.

Hinchcliffe will pilot the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports in the inaugural street-course event for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. While it marks his first competitive laps in stock-car racing, Hinchcliffe brings extensive experience on the famed St. Pete street circuit, giving him valuable familiarity as he transitions into the heavier, full-bodied truck.

For the 2013 St. Pete IndyCar winner, the opportunity came in an unconventional way — but it’s one he has had his eye on for some time.

“Yeah, I’m super excited,” Hinchcliffe says, speaking to GT REPORT. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. 10 years ago, I was close to doing a road course race in an Xfinity car, and I’ve always followed the NASCAR world and got a lot of friends that race over there. So to get the opportunity to make my first start in one of the national series is just super exciting. It really came to be just because of a well-timed tweet and a conversation between myself, Dan Taurus and Jeff Dickerson. I’ve known both those guys for a long time. I consider them both good friends, and they were kind enough to agree to this crazy plan of throwing Hinch in a truck at St. Pete for their first ever street race.”

A New Challenge

Preparation is key for any new venture. Although Hinchcliffe has experience at the circuit, the Trucks are a whole new ballgame, bringing a great deal of uncertainty into the weekend.

Adding to that challenge is the lack of a true simulator option for the track, changing how a driver must prepare for a weekend full of questions rather than answers.

“I got to give Spire a ton of credit for the effort they’ve put in to try to get me up to speed. Like you said, it’s not easy to do. You can’t really prep from the home sim. They were able to get me a couple of sim sessions in their proper sim out in Charlotte. So I’ve done a few trips out there to get a sense of what it feels like and was able to get in the truck for a few laps down in Florida to just kind of feel it out and try to learn as much as I can in a short period but man up against these drivers that do this all year long and do it for a living, it’s going to be tough, no doubt about it. I’ve got the benefit of knowing St. Pete like the back of my hand, which helps. But you know, these drivers that we’re going up against, I say we, I’m kind of lumping Dario into this too, because we’ve been talking a lot in the buildup to this, it’s going to be interesting. I just got off the phone with my crew chief, Chad (Walter), and he keeps threatening that it’s going to rain. And I don’t look at the forecast. I’m superstitious about it. I really hope it doesn’t. But you know, we’ll just kind of play the hand we’re dealt when we get down there.”

The possibility of rain only adds another curveball heading into the weekend. However, Hinchcliffe isn’t focused on what he can’t control.

“I’ll have to tell you on Saturday. I try not to worry about it. I can’t do anything about it. I can’t control the weather. Nobody can. So I’ll, I’ll kind of take that as it comes.”

One of Hinchcliffe’s biggest advantages is his familiarity with the circuit. Understanding the rhythm and technical nature of the layout could play a significant role as he adapts to a new machine.

“For me, I really think it’s that turn four to turn nine section. Turn one, it’s pretty wide and open. It’s easy to get sight lines. It’s not a blind corner. So I think everybody will kind of figure that out pretty quick. Turn two sort of similar. Turn three is a bit of a kink get to four, four is fairly straightforward in and of itself and isolation, but it leads into five, which leads into six and seven and eight, nine. That middle section is tight. It’s twisty. It’s really kind of quintessential street course. The walls are right there. Lots of crown in the road, which makes it tough to get into certain corners, get out of certain corners. So I think, you know, having a good understanding of what the track feels like in that section will be the biggest advantage for guys that have run there before.”

Hinchcliffe will also have strong support within the Spire Motorsports camp, working alongside crew chief Chad Walter and teammate Connor Mosack, driver of the No. 7 entry.

Although Hinchcliffe is new to the team, those resources could prove invaluable.

“Yeah, it’s been great, man. I’ve only met Connor (Mosack) briefly, ahead of the weekend, but I know that we’re going to be leaning on each other a lot once we get down there. Chad’s been amazing. I mean, the amount of effort that these guys have put into kind of getting me up to speed. And at the same time, I can bring a lot to the table from the track balance standpoint. They’ve not been to St. Pete, they’ve not been on a street circuit. So I’ve been able to give them some kind of insight as to what to expect and what we’re going to experience there.”

Driver Diversity

Hinchcliffe has driven just about everything — from sports cars to IndyCars. This Truck opportunity, however, takes him back to a more old-school driving style.

“It’s a great question. I’ve been lucky. I’ve driven a lot of different stuff over the years. Nothing quite like this, though, certainly, going all the way old school with an H pattern four speed gearbox. I think the last time I raced an H pattern on a racetrack was 2006. So, blowing the cobwebs out on remembering how to shift and and it’s been a long time. So, mistakes happen. Outside of that, it’s learning about the tire. I think every race series these days, everyone sort of figured out that the tires, the secret weapon and understanding the tire is a big deal. For me, the first time running on Goodyears, it’s very different from a Firestone. It’s very different from a Michelin, and from all the other things that I’ve been racing on recently. That’s the kind of knowledge that the regulars are going to have a huge leg up over the likes of me and Dario. So, I think that’s probably the biggest one. And you don’t get a ton of time to practice when you get a few test laps. So, like I said, a lot of learning on the fly.”

Even in IMSA competition, Hinchcliffe has adapted to multiple machines, most recently driving for Pfaff Motorsports in McLaren and Lamborghini machinery.

“That class (GTD Pro) is so interesting because you have so many different manufacturers running against each other and can all kind of hit roughly the same lap time within a second, which is incredibly impressive what IMSA is able to do with the B.O.P formula. So for me, it was just kind of learning what the traits were of the Lamborghini versus the McLaren. Luckily, it’s not as big of a jump as say, going into a front engine, a Mustang or something like that. It’s still a mid-engine car. It did a lot of things similar, did some things better, some things worse. I won’t lie. But it’s just learning what that car likes, what makes it tick, how to get the lap time out of it. And you know, Andrea Caldarelli and this year, Sandy Mitchell, Mirko Bortolotti, last year, you know, we had Marco Mapelli and Jordan Pepper, all those guys, factory Lambo guys, they taught me so much. They got me up to speed really well. It’s great working with drivers of that caliber. I’ve been really lucky on that program to do that. The support from Lamborghini has been phenomenal. I wish I spoke Italian. That would probably help at times, but that’s on me. Maybe that’s my Tuesdays and Wednesdays project is trying to learn a little bit of Italian.”

Wild Rolex 24 Experience

This weekend won’t mark Hinchcliffe’s first race of 2026. Back in January, the Canadian competed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Pfaff Motorsports — an event that remains one of the most prestigious in global motorsport.

“Yeah, I mean, that race is super, super special. You know, I think it’s right in the top three of a lot of drivers around the world. And that’s what’s so cool about it. You know, you attract literally, you know, guys and girls from every series on the planet and every corner of the planet. People will come down to the sunny Daytona, Florida for, for hopefully a sunny day, sometimes a foggy day in January. So yeah, it’s a race that I think every driver really loves being a part of. And for me, you know, three years on the trial with Pfaff has been great. Every year we’re getting a little bit better. You know, they’ve been through a lot of change as a team, multiple manufacturers in the last few years. And this year, sticking with Lambo for the second year, the difference was huge, you know, in terms of just readiness and preparation and just kind of showing up really feeling like we could go fight for it and had some adversity early in the race. The team did an incredible job to get us back on the lead lap and try to fight for the thing at the end, try to send the Huracan off with, you know, the strong result wasn’t quite as strong as we were hoping, but really proud effort, even if the result wasn’t there. And unfortunately, this year, that’s my only race with the Pfaff crew. So I’m going to follow along and cheer them on for the rest of the season and hopefully get the opportunity again next year.”

This year’s event featured one of the longest caution periods in IMSA history due to heavy fog, a unique challenge for competitors.

“To be a part of the longest caution period in IMSA history was maybe not one of the accolades I wanted to have on my resume, but yeah, I did a stint in it. I did a couple hours just like most people had to. It was rough, man. It wasn’t fun. You’re trying to stay in the middle of the night. You’re trying to stay awake doing 60 miles an hour around the track. The fog rolls in and goes out. You think maybe there’s some hope then it rolls back in. It was kind of just ebbing and flowing for so long there, but you know, credit to everybody that fought it out and credit to IMSA for keeping us going. I know that a lot of people argued we should have red flagged it, but in my mind, and I think in IMSA’s mind, a 24 hour race, you have to run cars for 24 hours, unless it’s absolutely dangerous to even do that under a safety car. So I actually applaud the decision, as painful as it was for me, for the crew and everybody that had to do it. I think it was the right call.”

While nothing is set in stone, a potential return in 2027 could see Hinchcliffe back with Pfaff as Lamborghini introduces the Temerario platform.

“Yeah, it’s been a long time coming for Lamborghini. They’ve put a lot of time, effort, and resources into that car. Obviously with the GTP program, shutting its stores, all the focus now is really on making Temerario the best car that it can be. So, it’s exciting to kind of be at the forefront of that as well, seeing behind the scenes and how that’s all coming together. So yeah, I’m super excited at the prospect of getting my hands on it. By the time I would drive it, it would probably be that December test down in Daytona, which means the boys and girls at Pfaff will have had enough time to iron out all the bugs and it should be dialed in nicely.”

What St. Pete Means

For Hinchcliffe, the Streets of St. Petersburg are more than just another stop on the calendar. The Florida street circuit holds deep personal significance, marking the site of his first IndyCar victory and numerous defining career moments.

“Yeah, it’s so special, man. I think I think every driver’s got a special place in their heart for St. Pete, because, you know, on the IndyCar side, because it’s the first race of the season for us has been for a long time. It was my whole career. So, you know, you go into a new season full of expectation, full of hope, you know, full of dreams. And it all starts in St. Pete. And you just you look at the fact that the city really gets behind it. You know, the backdrop is beautiful. There’s really nothing not to like about it. And then, like you say, I mean, having had some success there, it’s extra special. That first win is still career highlight number one, to be honest. And to do it in Dan Weldon’s backyard and in the car that Dan was supposed to be driving, that was a really special day for me. And it’s one I remember very fondly. And I it adds to the joy of going back every year.”

Beyond the personal milestones, Hinchcliffe is also embracing the historic nature of the weekend for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, which will host its first-ever street race.

“You know, and it’s great. It’s awesome to kind of be part of history like that. I feel a little bit a little bit imposter syndrome that I get to be part of this cool, monumental moment for the truck series. And it’s my first time just showing up at the big ball. You know, I haven’t really earned the right to be in one of the one of the cool inaugural events. But now we’re really excited about it. I’m excited to see what the race is like. It’s going to be so different from what you guys have seen at a truck racing on road courses before. A lot of these drivers experiencing this kind of thing for the first time as well. So it’s going to be fun all around.”

Open-Wheel Buzz in 2026

The excitement surrounding St. Pete extends beyond just one series. With major changes across IndyCar and Formula 1, 2026 is shaping up to be a fascinating year in open-wheel racing.

“Well, I think it’s an exciting year for motorsports fans all around, you know, especially in the open world, world, like you say, IndyCar, there’s some big changes, but ultimately it’s all about, can any of these changes result in somebody being able to beat Alex below, you know, in, uh, an IndyCar, you’re almost, almost already sure who’s going to win and it’s, can anybody, you know, bring the fight to them? Meanwhile, on the F1 side, it’s the most open it’s been in the years I’ve been following it. You know, it’s, it’s really hard to tell at this stage who’s got the edge, you know, whether it’s engine manufacturer team and then driver within team, you know, there’s, there’s a lot to, uh, a lot to unpack, a lot to unravel and a lot that’s going to develop over the course of 24 races. So both championships, lots of storylines, lots of exciting racing ahead. And I’m just, I’m just so happy that the start of the open world season is finally here.”

One event generating particular buzz is the addition of Washington, D.C., to the IndyCar calendar.

“I mean, I think anytime we can add new venues, it’s great for the, for the series. And that one obviously is, is pretty special, you know, to be able to do it right where the track’s going to be held. You’re going to get, you know, some of the shots, some of the pictures, some of the imagery of cars, you know, blasting by some of the most iconic, you know, monuments and buildings in the country is, uh, is pretty special, man. So I, I hope it’s a great event. I hope a lot of people turn out it’s free for fans to come in year one. And I hope that it’s enough that we can keep it coming back year after year.”

Balancing Broadcast and Racing

Hinchcliffe’s weekend will require him to juggle two demanding roles — driver and broadcaster — something he admits presents a unique challenge.

“Yeah, it’s tough, man. You know, it’s not something I’ve really had to do quite like this before. You know, I’ve done some IMSA races where I would jump on the broadcast from time to time. But this is different. There’s a full race weekend where it’s just me in the car, and the full focus is that. So I’ve not had to kind of balance that before on a race weekend. But luckily, Fox, they do the broadcast for trucks. They’re doing obviously the IndyCar stuff. And so they’ve been great. They’ve been so supportive of this. I made sure I checked with my bosses before I agreed to do it. And they’re going to give me some consideration and maybe a few hall passes, a couple late slips to a couple sessions or hall passes to get out a little bit early for commitments that I have on the truck side. But it’s going to be fun. Certainly for me, you know, the focus until the race on Saturday, priority goes to driving the truck. And then we can kind of shift gears for the big broadcast for the IndyCar opener on Sunday.”

A Festival of Motorsport

With NASCAR Trucks, IndyCar, Indy NXT, MX-5 Cup, and a star-studded support paddock converging in downtown St. Petersburg, the weekend promises to feel like a celebration of motorsport across disciplines.

“It’s huge. And I hope the fans appreciate that and that they’re going to get the bang for their buck this weekend. If you’re considering going and you’re on the fence, they should they should tip it over. Colin Braun’s another one who’s thrown his hat in the ring on the truck race. So I just love it all through the junior categories, all through the road to Indy classes. You’ve got MX5 Cup, like you said, us in the trucks, IndyNXT, IndyCar. I mean, it’s a packed weekend as a fan. I’m almost bummed I’m going to be so busy between my two jobs. I won’t get to enjoy as much of the on track as I’d like. But if you’ve got the freedom to go down, sit in the grandstands with a beer and just kind of enjoy the weekend, I highly recommend it. I’m a little bit envious.”

What’s Next?

While St. Pete is the only confirmed driving appearance on Hinchcliffe’s 2026 schedule, he isn’t closing the door on future opportunities.

“Yeah. I mean, normally I’d have at least the Sebring 12 and then Petit Le Mans. I look forward to this year. That’s not the case. So right now St. Pete is at the end of the confirmed driving duties, but, you know, man, driver’s always going to listen. If there’s an opportunity to get back into something. And I gotta be honest, I’ve made myself so busy between IndyCar weekends and F1 weekends that I don’t have a ton of spare weekends left. If there is an open one and there’s something that, uh, that I can drive, you know, I’ll find myself in it. I love it.”