BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – James Hinchcliffe’s confession was the highlight of a rather, umm, wet rain delay at Barber Motorsports Park.
During the second red flag of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama presented by America’s First, Hinchcliffe admitted to NBCSN’s Kevin Lee on the live race telecast that he was no longer a rookie of sorts.
“I always maintained that I knew at some point in my career it would happen,” Hinchcliffe said. “There’s a great story from Toronto in 2014 when poor Carlos Munoz is sitting in the car just begging to be let out (during a red flag when drivers had to remain in their cars). We’re under red-flag conditions, same kind of deal. He finally said, ‘Sorry, guys. I can’t hold it.’ They said, ‘You can’t get out.’
“He pees in the seat. Not 30 seconds later, Race Control comes over the radio and says, ‘All right, drivers out. We’re done.’”
At today’s race, a red-flag stoppage was ordered on Lap 19 but drivers again were told by INDYCAR to stay in their cars.
“Well, I was sitting there during that first red, and I was begging to get just three minutes,” Hinchcliffe said of his plea to make a restroom run. “That’s all you need. Three minutes, (steering) wheel off (to get out of the car) to wheel on.”
Hinchcliffe’s request was denied and, following a 37-minute red flag, cars were restarted and sent back on track.
“We got going again and my legs were shaking,” he said. “I had to go so bad. I was like, ‘I can’t drive a race car like this.’
“So under caution, it took me a full lap (to relieve himself). It was one of the least comfortable experiences of my entire life, but I can officially say I’ve joined the likes of Will Power and Dario Franchitti and others who have peed themselves in their suit.
“So, you’re talking to a man who just wet himself.”
Munoz and Franchitti were quick to respond via Twitter: