James Hinchcliffe has a chance to emulate Helio Castroneves as a “Dancing with the Stars” champion, as the talented 29-year-old Canadian along with dance partner Sharna Burgess performed an emotional freestyle dance on the final night of competition before Tuesday’s finals (ABC; check local listings).
While the pair’s foxtrot dance ended the first round of dancing on the night with a respectable - if not perfect - 37 of 40 score from the judges, it was the pair’s second dance on the night that will go down in “DWTS” lore.
Burgess, renowned as an incredible choreographer, and Hinchcliffe came up with the idea that his time spent in hospital after his accident in practice for 2015 Indianapolis 500 needed the “blank space” to be filled in.
Hinchcliffe, after his car careened into the Turn 3 wall, has no recollection of the accident that nearly claimed his life as it occurred in real time.
The story and dance outlined above for the pair’s freestyle worked to capture the emotions of Hinchcliffe not just surviving the accident, but walking again, driving again, and now, dancing again.
The judges gave it a perfect 40 of 40 score, and as you’ll see above via the official Dancing with the Stars YouTube page, it merited every one of those 40 points.
Hinchliffe will battle fellow athletes Calvin Johnson and Laurie Hernandez for the show’s coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.
You all have been amazing this season! @SharnaBurgess and I need your help one last time! Vote early, vote often! Thank you #TeamStopAndGo pic.twitter.com/EVLkwnJmj4
— James Hinchcliffe (@Hinchtown) November 21, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNGYR-vjpK5/
I voted for @Hinchtown and @SharnaBurgess did you? Let's bring the Mirror Ball back to @IndyCar @DancingABC
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) November 22, 2016