Robert Wickens wastes little time showing he still has a need for speed behind the wheel

Paralyzed in a horrific 2018 IndyCar crash, Wickens shot to the top of the speed charts in the first five laps of practice during IMSA's Roar Before the 24 weekend.

Robert Wickens did something this weekend he hasn’t done since August 2018.

Practice for his next big race.

For the last three-and-a-half years, Wickens has been an inspiration to racing drivers and fans alike. His recovery from a horrific IndyCar crash at Pocono Raceway has been nothing short of a miracle.

The 32-year-old Canadian was paralyzed from the chest down in that crash, but shortly after being injured, he vowed to return to racing.

Photo courtesy Bryan Herta Autosport/Hyundai 

This weekend he did just that, driving the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR in practice sessions for next Friday’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challange (IMPC) race at Daytona International Speedway, part of the undercard for next weekend's Rolex 24 Hours.

Wickens plans to compete in the entire 2022 IMPC season for Bryan Herta Autosport alongside his fellow countryman Mark Wilkins.

He will use a specialized hand-control system that allows him to accelerate and brake without using foot pedals.

“There’s a lot of emotions,” Wickens said during a press conference on January 14. “A lot of times during my recovery I thought it was possible [and then] thought it wasn’t going to be possible.

"It took a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication, but I wouldn’t be here without the support of a lot of really good people.”

In his first practice session Friday, Wickens proved he still could be competitive. He immediately showed speed and even posted the fastest lap early on in the session before finishing fourth out of 10 cars in his class.

Man that felt good! https://t.co/RUQS6R0HjW

— Robert Wickens (@robertwickens) January 21, 2022

The No. 33 then finished P5 in the second session, P6 in the third session and P8 in the fourth session.

Time will ultimately tell how successful Wicken’s entry into IMPC competition will be, but there is likely no race fan who isn’t rooting for him to do well.

Wickens has admitted that a return to IndyCar racing would prove to be extremely difficult, and would require the sanctioning body and current teams all agree to allow drivers to use hand controls.

Still, he is incredibly excited and thankful for this new opportunity to go sports car racing on the IMSA circuit. He also is exploring competing in other racing series that would allow the use of hand controls.

“I know I’m a competitor,” Wickens said. “If I don’t give myself a level of competition, I felt like I couldn’t possibly work hard enough to get to the level where I am today.

"I don’t put myself in any category above anybody else who’s recovering from an injury or a setback in their life, but it’s been quite the ride. Here we are, and I’m happy to be here.”

It’s been a long, winding, and difficult road to this point and the journey is not over, but thankful we’ll be able to move down the road with a bit more speed!

I’ll be joining @BHA for the 2022 @IMSA season and piloting one of their @hyundai Elantras.

Now, let’s go win. pic.twitter.com/hoPyoorJTO

— Robert Wickens (@robertwickens) January 14, 2022