James Hinchcliffe, celebrated for his achievements in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, is set to make his highly anticipated Spire Motorsports NASCAR Truck debut on February 28 at the inaugural CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race in St. Petersburg, Florida. The veteran driver from Ontario will command the No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Spire Motorsports, returning to a track where he secured his first INDYCAR victory in 2013.
Hinchcliffe Makes the Shift from INDYCAR to NASCAR
After a distinguished INDYCAR career, James Hinchcliffe is gearing up to enter NASCAR racing for the first time, adding another highlight to his extensive motorsports resume. Hinchcliffe, who was named INDYCAR Rookie of the Year in 2011, will compete on St. Petersburg’s 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit, a course filled with personal history and significance for him. Delaware Life has stepped in as the primary sponsor for Spire Motorsports during this landmark event, underlining the increasing interest in the crossover appeal between open-wheel and stock car racing.
“I am super excited to run my first truck race at St. Pete,”
said Hinchcliffe.
“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.”
– James Hinchcliffe, Driver
Navigating New Challenges on Familiar Ground
Hinchcliffe acknowledges the unique test posed by the upcoming race, as he faces the challenge of making his NASCAR debut on a street course known for its narrow margins and unforgiving layout. Despite the pressure, he remains optimistic about the experience and the entertainment value it brings, both on and off the track.
“It will be a baptism of fire,”
Hinchcliffe continued.
“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. Plus, I love that it’s going to be shown on FOX Sports, with some of my INDYCAR colleagues joining the broadcast, so that should add an extra layer of fun to it.”
– James Hinchcliffe, Driver
Support from the Spire Team and Sponsors
During his 11-year tenure in INDYCAR, Hinchcliffe collected 18 podium finishes over 161 starts, with memorable wins under the banner of Andretti Global, a key player within TWG Motorsports. His engaging persona, sometimes dubbed the “Mayor of Hinchtown,” won him the INDYCAR Fan Favorite Award in both 2012 and 2018. Since stepping away from full-time driving in 2021, he has transitioned to a successful broadcasting career, contributing as an analyst for NBC Sports, Formula One coverage on the F1 TV team, and most recently, FOX Sports.
Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson expressed enthusiasm for Hinchcliffe’s foray into NASCAR, acknowledging both the risks and the deep connections among the team members.
“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.”
– Jeff Dickerson, Spire Motorsports Co-Owner
“I know it means a little more to (Co-Owner) Dan (Towriss) 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.”
– Jeff Dickerson, Spire Motorsports Co-Owner
Weekend Filled With Racing and Broadcasting
Throughout race weekend, Hinchcliffe will be performing double duty—competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race and also contributing to the FOX broadcast booth for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. As NASCAR and INDYCAR descend on the streets of St. Petersburg, fans will see Hinchcliffe’s versatility firsthand. His presence will bridge two popular racing disciplines and bring together audiences from both stock car and open-wheel backgrounds.
How to Watch the Race and What to Expect Next
The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will air live on FOX on Saturday, February 28, beginning at noon Eastern Daylight Time. As the third event of the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season, the race will also be covered on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90. With key personalities such as Hinchcliffe and the backing of organizations like Delaware Life and Spire Motorsports, the event is poised to attract significant attention and could mark the start of new opportunities for open-wheel drivers contemplating similar crossovers.
James Hinchcliffe’s move to Spire Motorsports for his NASCAR Truck debut injects additional excitement into an already historic weekend at St. Petersburg, as fans await both his performance on the track and his insights behind the microphone. Whether Hinchcliffe secures a strong finish or simply relishes the challenge, his participation is set to be a memorable chapter for both his career and the ongoing evolution of crossover motorsports talent.
