Six-time NTT IndyCar Series winner James Hinchcliffe will look make his NASCAR debut on Feb. 28, competing in the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on the Streets of St. Petersburg for Spire Motorsports, the team announced Feb. 12.
Hinchcliffe will pilot the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Spire Motorsports in the 80-lap race on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit. The event marks the first time the Truck Series has raced at St. Petersburg, a venue where Hinchcliffe earned his first IndyCar victory in 2013.
Delaware Life will serve as the primary sponsor.
The 39-year-old Ontario native is a former IndyCar Rookie of the Year and a six-time race winner with 18 podium finishes in 161 starts during an 11-year career from 2011 through 2021. Three of his six victories came during the 2013 season with Andretti Global. Known as the Mayor of Hinchtown, Hinchcliffe also won IndyCar Fan Favorite awards in 2012 and 2018.
Dario Franchitti Running St. Petersburg Truck Race for TRICON
“I am super excited to run my first truck race at St. Pete,” Hinchcliffe said in a team release. “When they announced the trucks would be running there, I knew I had to try to make something happen because I just love this track and I have always wanted to try something in the NASCAR world.
“I have been in the Spire family for a long time, so it just made sense to run with them. I can’t thank Dan (Towriss), Jeff (Dickerson), Bill (Anthony) — really everyone at Spire — enough for making this come together.
“It will be a baptism of fire. Having my first race in a truck being on a street course with no room for error, but these races always look like so much fun, so I am really looking forward to the opportunity.”
“James had an amazing open-wheel career with wins and poles across all kinds of formulas, but I’m not even sure he’s ever watched a NASCAR race.” Spire’s Dickerson added. “I know it means a little more to Dan and I, personally, to be able to do this with him and when he called Dan and wanted to give it a go it seemed right on brand for all of us. This definitely won’t be the first time we’ve been out on a ledge together. We’re all really grateful to Delaware Life for coming along for the ride and giving us a weekend to remember.”
Hinchcliffe will pull double duty during race weekend, competing in the Truck Series event before moving to the FOX broadcast booth to cover the IndyCar race on the same circuit.
Hinchcliffe is not the only open-wheel veteran attempting to make the field. Four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti is scheduled to drive a TRICON Garage entry later this month.
