James Hinchcliffe Chats On Dancing With The Stars At Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois

James Hinchcliffe talked with STL Today about Dancing With The Stars during a break Thursday while testing at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill. He talks of Sharna Burgess, how he got on the show, and more.

One of the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ producers was in the audience,” he recalled. “They eventually talked me into it. I have a tremendous partner and coach in Sharna Burgess, and she’s really pushed me hard. I’m a competitive person, you know, so if hard work and putting in the hours is what it takes, that’s no problem for me.

“It’s been great for me and huge for IndyCar. I’ve always been a proponent of doing whatever I can to try and grow the sport and this, obviously, is tremendous exposure.”

Hinchcliffe said that Burgess was on her way to St. Louis for a Thursday night rehearsal before the pair flies back to Los Angeles for the live show Monday.

“At this point, I’d have to say (Olympic gymnast) Laurie Hernandez is the favorite, but there are some really talented performers on the show,” he said. “It’ll be interesting to see how things work out.”

Asked about his chances, Hinchcliffe said, “We’ll see. There are going to be dances that suit you better than others, just like racetracks on the circuit. I just want to stay consistent and hopefully be there at the end.”

Hinchcliffe, who has four IndyCar victories, was involved in a horrific crash during practice for the 2015 Indianapolis 500, but he recovered in time to win the pole for the 100th running of the fabled race earlier this year.

“The competitor in me is looking for results, to be better, but the human is me is happy to wake up and get a chance to drive again,” he said.

More at STL Today.

ETA: Be watching for this too….