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S Sports Local driver finally lands ride, replacing Danica Patrick on Andretti Autosports team SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012 25 Hinchcliffe h l ff has h 'big 'b heels h l to fill' f ll' next IndyCar d season He hasn't tattooed their logo on his butt yet. Then again, they haven't asked. Tattooed or not, James Hinchcliffe will be settling his backside into one of IndyCar's most coveted seats when the season begins in April, having signed with Andretti Autosports to replace Danica Patrick in the Go Daddy car. And the Oakville driver couldn't be happier. "As far as I'm concerned, they're the best sponsor out there," Hinchcliffe said Tuesday. "I know every driver says that. But they made such an impact in racing with Danica. They have an edgy feel and approach, it's what they're all about, and my personality fits that well." Go Daddy incorporated Patrick into its advertising -- as one of its Go Daddy girls -- more than any other sponsor/ driver team. That isn't surprising, considering Patrick's appeal reached far beyond the track. And while it's unlikely we'll see GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO Hinchcliffe in the Sports MUSIC TO HIS EARS: Local IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, pictured putting his earpieces in place before a race last season, Illustrated d swimsuit issue -- signed on this week with the Andretti Autosports team. The 25-year-old Oakville Trafalgar grad will replace Danica Patrick, who left please James, no -- his engaging IndyCar for NASCAR, behind the wheel of the team's Go Daddy car. personality earned him more than his share of attention for a rookie on the circuit. Hinchcliffe has shown a knack for promotion, building a loyal following through his website (hinchtown.com) even for myself and for my family." By Herb Garbutt before reaching IndyCar by doing things such as running McGlynn's family moved to Oakville OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF himself through an automated dog washer at his sister's 12 years ago from Hingham, dog-grooming business. Call it a coincidence, but ever since Massachusetts, a Boston suburb. He But Hinchcliffe backed up his antics by showing that the World Junior Hockey Championships enjoyed a successful minor hockey he could not only charm a camera, he could drive. He had ended, the Oakville Blades' Conor career with the Rangers, winning an seven top-10 finishes, including three fourth-place results OMHA title with the peewee AAA team. McGlynn has been on a bit of tear. on his way to capturing the IndyCar rookie-of-the-year You see, for two weeks of the year, the Last May, he was selected by the Kingston award. Blades rookie becomes a bit of an out- Frontenacs in the OHL draft but his Hinchcliffe finished 12th in the overall standings -- sider. While his teammates pull for hockey career path will instead lead just two spots behind Patrick -- despite missing the openCanada to bring home the gold, McGlynn closer to his roots -- he has committed ing race of the season. Still, he knows he is replacing the is usually the lone voice rooting for the to Boston College for the 2013-14 seaseries' most recognizable driver and a six-time winner of son. United States. the IndyCar most popular driver award. In the meantime, he'll continue to "It happens every year," he said. "I "I have big heels to fill," he said. always hear it from the guys in the play for the Blades. And with the world Hinchcliffe will not only be replacing Patrick, who left junior tournament over -- with Canada locker room." for NASCAR, but also Dan Wheldon. Andretti had signed McGlynn has spent most of his life in and the U.S. unable to claim bragging the popular two-time Indy 500 champ for next season, but Canada and grew up playing for the rights -- McGlynn and his teammates Wheldon's death in the season's final race in Las Vegas left Oakville Rangers, but he has good rea- are again united in their rooting interthe seat vacant once more. son for his allegiances. He hopes to one ests as they look to go deep into the Hinchcliffe was making preparations to return to day pull on the American sweater to Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs. Newman-Haas, the established and well-respected team he represent the country in which he was Since coming back from the Christmas raced for in his rookie campaign. He was shocked, though, break, McGlynn has four goals in three born. at the beginning of December when the team announced "It would be an honour to wear that games, nearly doubling his season total ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER it was suspending operations of its open-wheel racing jersey," said the 16-year-old, who has to nine. team. "I've been getting a lot of opportuni- HEATING UP: Oakville Blades forattended two U.S. development camps, "I literally found out 10 minutes before the rest of the including one for the top 40 1995-born ties and getting good passes from my ward Conor McGlynn (in white) has See Honour, page 26 6 See McGlynn, page 26 four goals in his last three games. American players. "It would be special Red, white and blue suits Blades rookie