Is former IndyCar driver Jack Hawksworth in the mix to drive for Dale Coyne Racing in the 2018 season, perhaps even full-time?
Jack Hawksworth, 26, made his IndyCar debut in the 2014 season, his rookie season, after finishing in 4th place in the Indy Lights championship standings with three victories in 12 races the year before. He drove full-time in IndyCar until the 2016 season.
In the 2014 season, Hawksworth drove the #98 Honda for Bryan Herta Autosport. He placed 17th in the final championship standings with five top 10 finishes in the 17 races he drove in on the 18-race schedule. His top finish was 3rd place at Houston.
The following season, Hawksworth drove the #41 Honda for A.J. Foyt Enterprises all 16 of the season’s races and also finished in 17th in the standings with five top 10 finishes. However, his best finishes were 7th place results at Belle Isle.
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Then in the 2016 season, Hawksworth had an abysmal season driving the #41 Honda for A.J. Foyt Enterprises. He finished in 20th place, which was last among full-time drivers, in the championship standings after failing to record a single top 10 finish in 16 races. His best finishes were 11th place results at St. Petersburg and Road America.
This past season, he was unable to secure a ride, and he really hasn’t been discussed much as having the potential to land a ride in the sport this year, either. But with the #19 Honda of Dale Coyne Racing still without a confirmed driver, is it possible that Hawksworth may return to the sport after a one-year hiatus?
It is definitely possible. Racer.com revealed that he is a favorite of Honda, and with the seat of the #19 Honda open at Dale Coyne Racing, he could end up with at least a part-time ride. However, nothing has been confirmed yet. At this point, it is all speculation and there have been no more details released as to whether Hawksworth’s odds of driving for the team in the 2018 season are high or low. What we do know is that he is very much in the mix.
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Will Jack Hawksworth end up returning to IndyCar in the 2018 season as a full-time driver? If not, will he at least be back as a part-time driver? With not even two months to go until the season opener in St. Petersburg, expect to find out definite answers to these questions within the next few weeks.