NBC Sports has announced that James Hinchcliffe will replace Paul Tracy as the network’s IndyCar analyst for the 2022 season.
Hinchcliffe will join Leigh Diffey and Townsend Bell in commentating duties, and will likely take over the ‘on-the-ground’ role, talking with drivers and reporting from the pit lane.
Tracy announced a few weeks ago that he and NBC had parted ways after seven years, leaving the third commentator position available for Hinchcliffe to step into.
Hinchcliffe had a taste of commentating in 2020 when he covered a few races for NBC in between his part-time racing schedule.
A recent announcement to step away from a driving role in IndyCar has opened up his schedule, and allowed the likeable Canadian to commit to full-time reporting duties.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the NBC Sports team this year,” said Hinchcliffe. “I got a taste of calling IndyCar back in 2020 and that really solidified my desire to get into this side of the sport.
“It’s always been a passion of mine to educate people about IndyCar, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to help tell those stories from the booth alongside a couple of pros in Leigh and Townsend.”
In addition to covering the entire 17-race IndyCar schedule, Hinchcliffe will help cover select IMSA races for NBC as well.
The first time fans will get to hear his voice will be for the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which runs on the weekend of February 25-27.
NBC and NBC Sports are the exclusive broadcast partners of IndyCar in the US, and simulcasts are distributed to other parts of the world, including the UK.
Just watched the St. Pete Indycar race and James Hinchcliffe did a great job. A big upgrade from Paul Tracy.
James is doing a grt job!
Lots of knowledge about the track& race