Robert Wickens returned to the podium at Daytona on Friday, the partially paralyzed former IndyCar driver finishing third along with teammate Mark Wilkins in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge touring car class season opener.
The 32-year-old Canadian who suffered a horrendous crash at Pocono in 2018 has worked tirelessly in the past three years to regain part of his lower body mobility to be able to return to the cockpit.
With the help Bryan Herta Autosport, Wickens' set out to compete in IMSA's Michelin Pilot Challenge onboard a specially adapted Hyundai Elantra N TCR.
The Canadian was disappointed to have qualified only P7, but a steady performance by Wickens and Wilkens in the four-hour race gave the former an opportunity to brandish a trophy once again and to spray some well-deserved champagne.
"I think it’s just the beginning," Wickens said with a big smile on his face. "There’s a lot of opportunity that we can still improve and become stronger."
As he savoured the incredible achievement, Wickens paid tribute to all those, starting with his wife Karli, who supported his remarkable journey back to the fast lane.
"Anytime I’ve been feeling down on myself ... it gives me goosebumps every time I stroll through a paddock and people just give me a thumbs-up," he said.
"Everyone takes the time to come say ‘Hi’ and it means a lot to me. I never became a race car driver expecting that would happen.
"I drive racecars because I love that feeling of pushing something to the absolute limit and just competing at a very high level. And I happened to be quite good at it at a young age. I always loved every aspect of the sport.
"But I never really thought of what people would think of me and it’s been a really fun ride so far".
