GREENFIELD — There have been a lot of firsts for IndyCar rookie Robert Wickens lately.
His first pole in IndyCar, captured in his first race. His first podium, which came in just his second race. His first Indy Grand Prix last weekend, where he finished 3rd. Soon, his first Indianapolis 500.
It’s been a whirlwind for Wickens lately, including a move to Indianapolis with his wife just days before placing second in Phoenix.
And he has no idea what to expect from his first run on the biggest stage in racing.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“I don’t know. I’ve never been to an Indy 500, let alone competed in one,” Wickens said. “My first time actually being at the race, I’m going to be racing in it. I’ve heard such amazing things. I’m honestly just taking everything one step at a time.”
Wickens has raced in Indianapolis before, over a decade ago in the Indy GP circuit in 2006. But the Canadian driver doesn’t have a whole lot of experience racing in the United States in general.
He’s been racing in Europe and with Mercedes for the past six years. When Mercedes decided to leave the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series he had been driving in, Wickens said he had to take matters into his own hands.
It helped that he said he’s been interested in IndyCar since he was a child. It was his first idea of where to go, and it is where he ultimately ended up as a driver for Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports alongside fellow Canadian James Hinchcliffe.
Last year it looked like Wickens could end up debuting in IndyCar when he filled in for a practice at Road America. He got a call from IndyCar Series team owner Sam Schmidt, who needed a driver to get into Mikhail Aleshin’s car at Road America. Aleshin was having difficulty getting back into the country after a race in France.
Hinchcliffe recommended Wickens. Wickens agreed and drove the Honda during Friday’s two practice sessions.
Wickens’ time as an IndyCar driver lasted just one day, as Aleshin got back into the country that night and took his seat in the car Saturday.
Wickens’ race debut would have to wait. He said he enjoyed his taste of life in IndyCar, and his short experience at Road America helped him negotiate while he was in search of a new team and a new series.
Once he arrived as a full-time driver, Wickens made his mark in IndyCar instantly, taking the pole in his first race. Wickens went on to lead most of that race in St. Petersburg, only to have a collision with Alexander Rossi dropped him into an 18th-place finish.
That didn’t derail the rookie’s momentum, though. Wickens finished second in the next race in Phoenix, his first IndyCar podium.
“What was amazing about Phoenix was the fact that we felt robbed in St. Pete and we had so much focus on Phoenix,” Wickens said. “It was my first-ever oval race. I’d never even driven an oval prior to testing before the season. To lead laps in the final 10 of the race, it was just a great feeling. I feel like the guys deserved to be on the podium in St. Pete. We deserved to win.”
Success wasn’t as easy to find in Long Beach, where Wickens finished 22nd. But he bounced right back, taking fourth at Alabama before last weekend’s Indy Grand Prix.
The Indianapolis 500 will be just the second oval course Wickens has raced in his career. Despite the success he had at his first oval, he said he’s making sure not to have expectations of repeating that success in his first 500.
“I’m honestly hoping just to finish,” Wickens said. “The Indy 500 is going to be my second oval that I’ve done in my entire life. It’s actually hard to have any honest expectations. Hopefully in those last 20 laps, we’ve got a chance.”
So far, Wickens said he’s happy with his team and happy with the job he has done, but he rues the opportunities missed. He’s come close to winning, but hasn’t quite gotten there.
“You only have a rookie year in IndyCar once, so I’m just trying to take it all in and have fun,” Wickens said. “I’m driving more for the passion of motorsports, more than I ever have before.”
