STAMFORD, Conn. – James Hinchcliffe, a current Indy car driver for Andretti Autosport and fan-favorite in the open-wheel paddock, has joined NBC Sports as a motorsports analyst.
He will serve as a driver analyst for a majority of NBC Sports’ IndyCar Series race coverage, providing reports from pit road. Hinchcliffe will make his debut at the season-opener in St. Petersburg, Fla., March 13-15.
Hinchcliffe’s on-air schedule will include the Grand Prix of Long Beach on the streets of Long Beach, Calif.; his home race, the Honda Indy Toronto on the streets of Toronto; and the season finale at Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif.
He will also be part of NBC Sports’ comprehensive coverage in the week prior to competing in the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 on NBC.
In addition to his role on IndyCar Series coverage, Hinchcliffe will provide analysis during NBC Sports’ NASCAR coverage from Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Fourth of July weekend.
He will also serve as an analyst for select IMSA races, beginning with Sebring on March 20-21, and will contribute to Indy Lights coverage on NBC Sports Gold’s IndyCar Pass throughout the year.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the NBC Sports team and covering so many awesome racing series in 2020,” said Hinchcliffe. “NBC Sports has covered IndyCar for more than a decade and I’ve gotten to know Diff (Leigh Diffey) really well over that time. I used to bang wheels with PT (Paul Tracy) and Townsend (Bell), so our relationships go way back and it will be great getting to work with them, and all the behind the scenes staff at NBC Sports, throughout the season.
“I’ve always loved educating people on the finer points of IndyCar racing and I’m excited to jump in and share my expertise and perspective as a current driver with all of the fans and viewers.”
Last week, it was announced that Hinchcliffe would run three races for Andretti Autosport – the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, the Indy 500, and the Genesys 600 – this season.
Hinchcliffe is a six-time Indy car race winner and made his debut in 2011 when he was named rookie of the year. He recorded eight top-10 finishes in 2019, including a third-place finish at Iowa Speedway, where he won in 2018.
“James Hinchcliffe is one of the most dynamic personalities in motorsports and we’re excited to bring ‘The Mayor of Hinchtown’ to the NBC Sports team for 2020,” added Sam Flood, executive producer and president of NBC Sports and NBCSN. “James’ engaging personality, combined with his unique perspective of what these drivers are experiencing in real time, will be a great addition to our motorsports coverage.”