Dancing with the Stars: Cast Breakdown

Sharna Burgess: James Hinchcliffe, the race car driver

Jun 25, 2016; Elkhart Lake, WI, USA; IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe (5) during practice for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Race car drivers aren’t a group of people one would think would necessarily be good at dancing. However, one of them won Dancing with the Stars once, and so others will come to try their luck. James Hinchcliffe is the sort to attract the producers attention as well.  He’s mainly known for nearly getting killed in a crash last year. The emotion from such an experience, if not over-exploited, gives his presence on the show weight.

The big question will be whether he’s able to dance. Given how the race car drive who wasn’t Helio Castroneves did, one certainly shouldn’t rely on anything. Sharna now has a history of achieving more good results than bad.  She defied a bad score or two getting her partner to the semi-finals last year. But that was with a football player.  Race car drivers aren’t without their own fanbases, but even a driver who was in the news for surviving a terrifying crash is only going to get enough votes to keep him going if he’s at least scoring decently. Nor is Sharna without a fanbase of her own, but that isn’t the kind of fanbase that will preserve them by itself either. Combined, they might last a little longer than they should if he’s bad, but not much longer. It also could help them win, if he’s good enough.

Next: Not the gymnast *or* the partner anyone was anticipating, but...