Why James Hinchcliffe Refuses to Use the Word ‘Retired’

• Last season, James Hinchcliffe joined the NBC Sports IndyCar broadcast crew as an analyst, along with play-by-play host Leigh Diffey and fellow analyst Townsend Bell.

• It was 10 years ago at St. Petersburg in 2013 that the so-called Mayor of Hinchtown was the toast of the town when he won the first of what would be six career victories in his IndyCar career.

• Hinchcliffe hasn’t given up on his goal of getting back into an Indy car at some point.

This weekend’s IndyCar season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Fla., is about as meaningful to James Hinchcliffe as any of the Indianapolis 500s he competed in.

It was 10 years ago at St. Pete in 2013 that the so-called Mayor of Hinchtown was the toast of the town when he won the first of what would be six career victories in his IndyCar career, including two additional triumphs later in the same season.

More recently, St. Pete was also the venue where Hinchcliffe kicked off a new career of sorts at the start of last season, when he joined the NBC Sports IndyCar broadcast crew as an analyst, along with play-by-play host Leigh Diffey and fellow analyst Townsend Bell.

“It's always so nice to go back to St. Pete,” Hinchcliffe told Autoweek. “I think every driver, every team member, loves starting the season there. The city gets behind it in such a good way, the event is always so vibrant, the track’s a lot of fun and I definitely have some great memories there.”

He then added with a whimsical chuckle, “That first win was something I'll never forget, although I recently was reminded it was 10 years ago, which is a little depressing. But yeah, it’s a very special memory. And heading there this year, again, it's the same feeling that I got when I was a driver. It's that sort of first day of school, that excitement of getting the season going. It's the same for everyone. It really permeates the whole paddock, no matter what your job is, if you're working at the track, you're really excited to get back to St. Pete.”

While he’s enjoying his time with NBC, Hinchcliffe admits that a part of him that still misses being behind the wheel.

“It's funny, there are certain times throughout the year that I miss it more than others, and there's no doubt that the St. Pete race is one of those times,” Hinchcliffe said. “That's one of the few moments of the year.