J. R. Hildebrand

Indycar Series driver and 2011 Indianapolis 500 runner-up

What is J. R. Hildebrand known for?

Born and raised in Sausalito, California, John Randal "J. R." Hildebrand Jr. is an established American race car driver who kickstarted his racing career at the age of 14. He competed in go-karts in the Jim Russell Arrive and Drive Championship at Infineon Raceway in Northern California, bagging his first race and the championship that same year.

Hildebrand moved from karts to cars by 2004, emerging victorious in the Formula Russell series championship. The rising star then transitioned to Pacific F2000 in 2005, where he finished second overall and earned the Rookie of the Year title. His commendable performance led him to be chosen for the Team USA Scholarship, granting him a spot in the Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy where he finished third.

His winning streak continued into 2006 with his sweep of the U.S. F2000 National Championship, triumphing in an astounding 12 out of 14 races. This was a noteworthy year for Hildebrand as he was granted the prestigious Gorsline Scholarship and got elected to the AARWBA All American Auto Racing First Team.

After a successful stint in the Newman Wachs Racing team, Hildebrand moved to the Indy Pro Series under RLR-Andersen Racing. It was during this series that he claimed his first significant win at the Kansas Speedway. Hildebrand's career took another leap in 2009 when he joined the championship-winning team AGR-AFS Racing. Here he won four races, five pole positions, and ultimately the title at the Chicagoland's penultimate round. His grandeur in the racing field persisted when he competed in A1 Grand Prix series' final round for A1 Team USA, securing a fourth place in the Sprint race.

However, Hildebrand is perhaps best known for his gripping performance at the 2011 Indianapolis 500. He made a staggering impact by hitting the wall on the race's final corner and sliding over the finish line in second place, barely missing the championship crown. Today, he competes part-time in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 11 Chevrolet for AJ Foyt Enterprises.

With compelling career statistics that encompass 68 races run over 13 years, a best finish of 11th in the 2012 season, and three podium finishes, JR Hildebrand has indeed carved out a reputation for himself in racing history.

Want to know more about JR Hildebrand? Check out his detailed racing career on the Driver Database or his profiles on IndyCar and AJ Foyt Racing.