Shell-Shocked Hinchcliffe, SPM Team Cope with Unexpected Bump from Field
May 20, 2018 | By Phillip B. Wilson, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
As James Hinchcliffe searched for the words to describe the depths of his disappointment in failing to qualify Saturday for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, he had the presence of mind to offer a more painful big-picture perspective.
“This track, believe it or not, has done worse to me in the past, and we came back swinging,” said Hinchcliffe, who suffered life-threatening injuries after an Indy 500 practice crash in 2015 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Hinchcliffe, the 31-year-old Canadian driver, returned in 2016 to put his No. 5 Arrow Electronics Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda on the pole for the historic 100th Indy 500.
But considering his accomplishments, which include five career Verizon IndyCar Series victories, the sight of such a popular and successful full-time driver bumped from this 33-car field was mind-boggling. He had arrived for this double-points race fifth in the standings.
“Nobody screwed us,” he said. “The system didn’t fail us. We failed us.”
Hinchcliffe initially qualified on the day’s 11th attempt after rolling off the line at 2:12 p.m. But his car number steadily descended the Scoring Pylon, he was finally on the bubble and didn’t stay there long as he was bumped from the 33-car field after Conor Daly’s run that began at 5:27 p.m.
Ten minutes later at 5:37 p.m., Hinchcliffe was back on track in an attempt to re-qualify, but was unable to take the green flag due to a tire vibration. It was later diagnosed as a tire sensor pressure failure. The device broke off the car and rattled around in the tire rim.
“Disappointment doesn’t even do what just happened justice,” SPM team manager Taylor Kiel said in a somber Gasoline Alley garage. “We’ll look at it, and we’ll try to learn from it, obviously, and we’ll try to figure out what happened. Right now, we’re all just kind of reeling.”
The SPM crew had scrambled on pit road to solve the tire issue, then hurriedly wheeled the car back in line as fans cheered.
“We heard them all,” Kiel said of the fans. “It gave us some strength in a moment where we thought we were kind of screwed. Ultimately, we were (screwed), but I think it helps when you have the backing of so many people.”
Hinchcliffe was next in line when the final gun went off. He thought he had until 6 p.m., so he was surprised by the 5:50 p.m. signal that his day was done.
His previous four-lap average of 224.784 mph proved too slow by fractions of seconds — 33rd qualifier James Davison’s four-lap average was 224.798 mph.
“Wow. Hinch is out,” said Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud, shaking his head while standing near the qualifying line as the gun went off. “What happened?”
While convinced his car had the speed to make the race, especially in cooler late-afternoon temperatures, Hinchcliffe was at a loss to explain how he didn’t deliver after two rain delays compacted qualifying and set up a dramatic final hour.
“It’s devastating in every way possible,” Hinchcliffe said, surrounded by reporters on pit road. “Indy is a cruel mistress sometimes – the highest of highs, the lowest of lows. Everyone at SPM worked their tails off to get these cars ready. We have three cars in the show. Unfortunately, the fourth one didn’t make it.
“It’s crazy to be here after where we were two years ago.”
Former Andretti Autosport teammate and close friend Ryan Hunter-Reay made his way toward the media scrum. If anyone knew this feeling, it was him. Seven years ago, Hunter-Reay got bumped from this field by teammate Marco Andretti with 55 seconds remaining.
“It’s the worst,” Hunter-Reay said. “It’s like what happened to us in 2011. We sat on our hands a little too long then.”
Hunter-Reay still made the race after a deal was struck with AJ Foyt Racing to acquire the qualified ride of Bruno Junqueira. Hunter-Reay celebrated a series championship the next year and then triumphed in the 2014 Indianapolis 500.
“We’re not the first big name, big car to go home in this race,” Hinchcliffe said. “That’s Indy. We finally have bumping again, which everybody was super-thrilled about. I’m a little less thrilled about it than I was 24 hours ago. You’ve got to take your lumps here sometimes.”
Hunter-Reay eventually reached the center of pit-road attention. He pulled Hinchcliffe close and said, “So sorry, brother.”