Is J.R. Hildebrand’s Career Drifting?

When IndyCar driver J.R. Hildebrand was cut loose by Panther Racing after the Indy 500, many wondered where the once promising up-and-coming American driver would land.  It’s no secret that Hildebrand likes drifting and that’s exactly where he is.

July 2, 2012; San Bernardino, CA, USA; Indy Car Series driver J.R. Hildebrand looks on during the test drive event for Robby Gordon

Hildebrand has always had an interest in drifting and in fact had prearranged to compete in two Formula Drift or Formula D events this year in between IndyCar events.  However, having been sent packing and with no other offers on the table currently, J.R. is now a drifter … at least for now.

Camaro’s

If you go on Hildebrand’s Twitter or Facebook accounts, you’ll find footage of him driving an IMSA Camaro with a big block, but as far as any other information about where he will be racing, it appears that Formula D is the place Hildebrand’s career is at right now.  This is not to say J.R. isn’t excited about his drifting competition, saying he had wanted to do drifting for some time (Source: IndyCar),

"“Since as early as 2004 I’ve thought drifting was an awesome and unique area of motorsport, so I’m very excited to finally get involved myself.”"

The plan is for Hildebrand to race with Tyler McQuarrie’s Chevrolet Camaro drift team for the Formula D events at Seattle, Washington, on July 19 and 20 plus Irwindale, California, on October 11 and 12.  The 35 year old McQuarrie, like Hildebrand, is from the Bay Area and was an accomplished road racer early in his career while winning the Formula Russell championship and then driving in Formula Vauxhall, USF2000, ALMS and much more.  He then moved over to drifting when he was 27 and has become quite the drifting star.  Now it appears that 25 year old Hildebrand, who was one of the more acclaimed drivers in North America, will take a stab at drifting.  Watch here as the two of them are on YouTube in Cadillac’s.

Great start

Hildebrand started his career in karting, winning a championship before moving up to Formula Russell where he, like McQuarrie, won the championship.  Hildebrand raced in the USF2000 and won the title at the age of 18.  In 2009, Hildebrand won the Indy Lights title as a 21 year old and was considered the hottest up-and-coming American in open wheel racing.  He even tested a Formula One car.  J.R. became a full-time IndyCar driver in 2011 for Panther Racing and then nearly shocked the world when the rookie was leading the Indy 500 on the last lap – but alas, crashed in turn four and limped across the finish line in second place.

That heart-wrenching loss has been a staple of less than stellar performances by Hildebrand and Panther Racing over the last two year, leading to his dismissal after crashing (see pic) and finishing dead last at Indianapolis this past May at the Brickyard.  In 39 IndyCar races, Hildebrand never won and had only one podium – again, at Indy – while crashing out of seven events.  J.R.’s best year in points was 2012 where he finished 11th – he was 19th in the standings when Panther let him go.

May 26, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver J.R. Hildebrand (4) crashes during the 2013 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Justin Tooley-USA TODAY Sports

Hildebrand is still trying to get back to IndyCar and about three weeks ago told RACER.com that he has contacted several car owners and is going about the business of trying to acquire sponsorship.  ALMS and Grand Am may also be avenues he is willing to look at.  However, for right now, J.R. Hildebrand will be debuting in drifting later this month, while trying to find marketing dollars to get back to IndyCar … not an easy task in these recessional times.

Additional source: INDYCAR 36, McQuarrie (Vimeo) Hildebrand test

Related articles:

Will Power’s Poor 2013 Performance: Speed There, Results Are Not

Is Motorsports Producing Women Racers or Purging Them?

Move over Penske & Ganassi: Andretti Autosport is the team to beat