Local brewery goes all in to support injured IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe

Flat 12 Bierwerks paints message of support on front of building

One Indianapolis brewery is going to great lengths to support injured IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe. Since Hinchcliffe was involved in a horrific wreck during practice for the Indy 500, many fans have been using the hashtag #GetWellSoonHinch to send the driver messages of support. Flat 12 Bierwerks, located just a few miles from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, took the hashtag and put it at the forefront of their operation. Literally. After the wreck, Flat 12 co-owner Sean O' Connor, who is a friend of Hinchcliffe, had the hashtag painted on the front of his building. "After the wreck, we saw the people at IMS put (the hashtag) on the scoring pylon, and we thought it was a great idea," O'Connor said. "So we got out there and had it painted out front." In addition, O'Connor had 200 T-shirts printed up with the hashtag across the front. 

Hinchtown Hammerdown, the beer named after IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, is one of the most popular selections at Flat 12 Bierwerks. Photo by MIKE LARSON

"James has always given so much to his fans, so we wanted to give the fans a chance to give back to James," O'Connor said.  The shirts were sold for $15, with a portion of the proceeds going to a chairty of Hinchcliffe's choice. "We never in our wildest dreams thought we would sell as many of them as we did," he said. "We printed up 200 and they sold out almost immediatly." The co-owner said that Hinchcliffe has been a longtime friend of the brewery, and even helped collaborate on one of their signature beers, which is named after him.  Hinchtown Hammerdown is a pilsner-style beer that has become one of Flat 12's most popular brews. "People love it," O'Connor said. "It's a phenomenal beer; a real easy drinking pilsner that's great for race days. It's a really good beer and James is a great guy. We're proud to be friends with him."

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IndyCar's James Hinchcliffe stable after life-threatening wreck

Driver sidelined for the foreseeable future

Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe is improving as he remains in stable condition following surgery yesterday at IU Health Methodist Hospital for an injury to his pelvic area and upper left thigh. Hinchcliffe is undergoing further evaluations in the intensive care unit and has been ruled out of Verizon IndyCar Series competition for the foreseeable future, including this weekend's Indy 500. Hinchcliffe, 28, suffered damage to an artery in his leg after his suspension failed and a broken piece punctured the cockpit, entering his right leg, left thigh and pelvic area. The driver suffered massive blood loss, but according to the doctor who performed surgery on his leg, the driver is doing well. "He's stable and improving," Dr. Timothy Pohlman, senior staff trauma surgeon at IU Health Methodist Hospital, said. "His condtion was critical upon his arrival." According to team owner Sam Schmidt, doctors had "a big one to plug," in regards to the leg wound Hinchcliffe suffered. Schmidt also said that the hospital being close to IMS worked in Hinchcliffe's favor. "If this would have happened at most of the palces we race at things might have been different," the owner said. "If he would have had to go from the ambulance to the track medical center to a helicopter to 30 minutes (to the hospital), I hate to say that would have been a challenge." Former teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay told Sports Illustrated that the ordeal was very worrisome. "Last night, after the incident, things were looking touch-and-go," the reigning Indy 500 champion said. "Without knowing all the facts I can't say what's ahead for him, but certainly it's not going to be an easy recovery." Hinchcliffe said he's happy and thankful to be recovering. "Words can't describe how thankful I am to the Holmatro Safety Team," Hinchcliffe said. "Those guys, in addition to the doctors and staff at the hospital, are my heroes. I can't say enough how much I appreciate the outpouring of support from IndyCar fans, my family and fellow drivers. We are all one big family and it feels like that today."

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Hinchcliffe was transported by ground to the hospital following a single-car accident during practice for the 99th Indianapolis 500 on May 18. 

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