Driver change assistant Josh Gibbs helps Robert Wickens, paralyzed in a 2018 crash, exit the car as Tommy Milner gets into the Corvette Z06 GT3R during practice, April 11, 2025, in Long Beach, Calif., for Saturday's IMSA race. (AP Photo)
Robert Wickens is finally coming home—to race.
Nearly seven years after a devastating crash left him paralyzed from the chest down, the Canadian driver is set to take part in the feature race of the Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario. This marks his return to top-tier competition in Canada, and it’s nothing short of remarkable.
Wickens isn’t just making a comeback—he’s returning to the same track that sparked his childhood dream.
“I grew up around this circuit,” Wickens said during a video call. “I’d ride my bike over to watch races whenever I could. I knew every inch of the place long before I drove it.”
A Full-Circle Moment
Wickens will be racing in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship—the highest tier of the series. For him, it’s not just another race. It’s a milestone that connects his past, present, and future.
The last time he raced at home in a top-tier event was the 2018 Honda Indy Toronto, where he earned a podium finish. A month later, everything changed. A horrific crash during the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway left him with a serious spinal cord injury. His rising IndyCar career came to a halt.
But he wasn’t ready to quit.
Racing Again, This Time with Hand Controls
Determined to get back on track, Wickens began racing again—this time using hand controls. In 2024, he joined DXDT Racing, driving a specially modified Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the IMSA Sprint Cup.
“It’s amazing to be racing at this level again,” Wickens said. “And doing it at home makes it even more special.”
His goal for the Chevrolet Grand Prix is clear: race clean, race smart.
“In IMSA, you don’t expect success—you have to earn it. Every lap has to be near perfect,” he said. “We’ve shown flashes of potential with the Corvette, but it hasn’t been flawless. That’s what we’re working toward.”
Creating Memories for Fans
This homecoming is about more than lap times. Wickens is making the weekend memorable for fans too.
Through his website, he’s offering exclusive fan experiences. Visitors can tour the DXDT Racing garage, see his custom hand-control system, and even snap photos with the car on the track.
He’s also set up a fan zone near Turn 2—his favourite spot growing up—for people to watch the race with him. It’s a nod to the childhood memories that shaped his love for motorsport.
“It’s such a generational sport,” he said. “I remember meeting drivers as a kid and how much it meant to me. Now, I want to give that same feeling to the next generation.”
Still Chasing Glory
Wickens’s return is more than symbolic. He’s back, fully focused, and hungry for results. With 13 past Corvette victories at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, history is on his side.
Still, Wickens knows nothing is guaranteed in racing.
“We’re not here just to show up—we want to compete. But for now, it’s about putting together a clean weekend.”
For a man once told he’d never walk again, let alone race, just suiting up is a victory. But for Wickens, the ultimate win is still waiting—somewhere out there on the track he first fell in love with.
