Robert Wickens concludes the week with another victory and birth of his son

Wickens suffered a career-stopping spinal cord injury in the 2018 IndyCar race.

Article author:

Related press

BOWMANVILLE — Robert Wickens' first few weeks While celebrating the birth of a child, he won his second victory in seven days on Saturday.

Wickens returns to his native Canada and teams up with countryman Mark Wilkins touring the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Race at the Canadian Tire Motor Sports Park. I won the class.

Following last week's victory at Watkins Glen in New York, it was Wickens' first victory with a spinal cord injury that stopped his career in the 2018 Indy Car Race. This year he returned to the competition with Brian Herta Autosport with a specially equipped Hyundai that allows Wickens to use hand controls to accelerate and brake.

"It was really a fairy tale," Wickens said. "I felt the victory at Watkins Glen was very valuable. We have worked hard. We are participating in every race this year. When we get that victory, it finally clicks. I thought, "Let's bring this momentum to the home race."

However, Wickens' wife, Kali, got a job two weeks early, and his return to Canada was suspended. Wickens and Wilkins were in the middle of a trackwalk on Thursday when Kali called her and told her husband that she needed to hurry back to Indianapolis.

"She said,'She needs to go home tomorrow morning,'" Wickens said. "I can't thank everyone at Brian Herta Autosport for not only understanding it, but also not making them feel pressured. They always have their families come first.

On Friday the couple welcomed their son Wesley Joseph, and Wickens returned to the track on Saturday to make his first lap on the circuit. .. He started at the end of the class, advanced to 3rd place and handed over the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra NTCR to Wilkins in the middle of the race.

"I" I've never been so ready before the race, "Wickens said. "But I never jumped into the race without one lap of practice. To be honest, it's just great. I never thought I would win."

Wilkins has 20 minutes left. We made a restart at, and won the podium with three cars of Herta.

"The story is really Robert," Wilkins said. "Come without a lap and overtake three cars on his first lap. He hasn't been lapping here for years. Megadrive."

Arrow McLaren SP at Indy Car Wickens, who acts as a consultant for the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, was backed by the IndyCar Paddock.

"It's impressive to see him go back to the race car, get used to hand control, worry about everything, and have the courage to really relearn how to drive a race car. Not just. Colton Herta, son of Wickens team owner Brian Herta, said:

"It's impressive to be able to do that, but it's still very good. You can win the race fast. It shows his dedication and passion for the race. I think everyone at IndyCar is really happy to see it. "

Michael Lewis finished second in the No. 1 BHA Hyundai, co-driving with Taylor Hagler. Harry Gott Soccer was third in No.98 BHA Hyundai, which he shared with Parker Chase.

"It was blurry," Wickens said. "Until Thursday afternoon, everything was pretty calm. It was a world of emotions. On Friday when my son Wesley was born and healthy, I think I shed all the tears. Go home again. I can't wait to see my baby. "

From the newsroom to the noon inbox, Toronto Sun's latest headlines and stories , Opinions, photos. By clicking the

sign-up button, you agree to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300