Wickens hopes iRace will be 1st step back on IndyCar journey

FILE - In this March 28, 2020, file photo, IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan, of Brazil, uses a racing simulator in his home in Indianapolis to practice for a virtual racing event. As Robert Wickens fought his way back from a spinal cord injury, he kept dreaming about the day he could run against his old racing buddies. The promising Canadian driver believes he'll take his biggest step yet by making his debut in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge — a virtual race being held Saturday, April 4, 2020, on the Barber Motorsports Track in Alabama. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

FILE - In this July 14, 2019, file photo, injured driver Robert Wickens is photographed before leading the parade lap in a car fitted with hand controls before the Honda Indy auto race in Toronto. Wickens has been fighting his way back from a spinal cord injury, waiting anxiously to line up on a starting grid and compete against his old racing buddies. On Saturday, April 4, 2020, he wait ends. The promising Canadian driver will make his debut in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge — a virtual race on the Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama that Wickens believes could be the biggest step yet in his recovery. (Tijana Martin/The Canadian Press via AP, File)