J.R. Hildebrand has spent his life chasing the thrill of speed, from go-karts to the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.
With 12 Indy 500 starts and an Indy Lights Championship under his belt, he’s competed at the highest levels of American motorsport. But for J.R., the joy of racing isn’t just about the big moments—it’s about the feeling, the same rush he first experienced as a kid in a go-kart.
Raised in Northern California, J.R.’s passion for motorsport was sparked by weekends spent with his father at vintage races, NASCAR events, and drag strips. That love quickly turned into a lifelong pursuit, fueled by competition and the drive to always improve.
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Whether behind the wheel of an open-wheel car, a stock car, or tackling Pikes Peak, he’s embraced every new challenge with a beginner’s mindset, constantly refining his skills and pushing his limits.
Away from the track, J.R. values precision and refinement in his everyday driving. He appreciates vehicles that offer both power and responsiveness, qualities he sees in the Polestar 3. “You feel the change in every suspension setting, the weight of the steering, and the responsiveness—it’s what I look for in a car,” he explains.
Now living in Boulder with his wife and young daughter, J.R. sees parenthood as another kind of challenge—one that’s all about leading by example. “I want my daughter to chase after what she loves and put in the work to do it well,” he says. It’s a philosophy that has defined his racing career, where optimization and attention to detail make all the difference.
In motorsport, the margins are razor-thin, and finding that last half a percent is what separates the best from the rest.
For J.R., racing is about more than just winning—it’s about constant learning, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. And whether it’s on the track or in life, he’s still chasing that first rush of speed.
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