Not every driver measures victories in trophies. For IMSA’s Robert Wickens, the real win is being back on the track and feeling like himself again.

A 200-mph crash at the 2018 IndyCar Pocono 500 left Wickens in a two-week coma, with a spinal cord injury and dozens of fractures resulting in paralysis below the waist. Wickens miraculously returned to racing less than four years later. But in many ways, it just wasn’t the same.

This weekend could change all of that.

Wickens will make his racetrack debut of a hand-controlled electronic braking system at the Monterey SportsCar Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Bosch-developed electronic braking system — “brake-by-wire” in racing-speak — pairs with an existing electronic hand-controlled throttle (“fly-by-wire”) on Wickens’ No. 36 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Together, they give Wickens greater confidence and braking accuracy than he’s had in any car since the 2018 accident.

“It’s the first time using my hands where I’m not trying to learn the quirkiness of a braking system,” said Wickens. “It performs exactly how I remember applying the brakes when I was using my legs.”

The new braking system replaces traditional mechanical brake linkages with electronic controls. It enables Wickens to use hand paddles to apply the brakes in place of his feet. Wickens’ hand pressure informs a sensor in the paddles which gets translated into electronic signals. These signals are sent to brake actuators which apply hydraulic pressure to the brakes.

The paddles behind the steering wheel also control acceleration. Wickens can slow down or speed up by pulling back or pushing the paddle forward. Both paddles can work the throttle or brakes allowing Wickens to shift with one hand and control speed with the other. Wickens’ racecar is otherwise just like any other.

“Every time I’m on track, I’m getting more comfortable,” said Wickens. “We have all the tools we need to go out and compete for a good result.”

Wickens couldn’t visualize those “tools” in the aftermath of his 2018 crash.

The initial attempt to get Wickens back on track came via hydraulic hand controls using traditional brake wires. Wickens secured a podium his first race using it and a driver’s championship the following season but knew there was room for advancements.

“I knew how to drive a race car quickly,” said Wickens, “it was just trying to figure out how to do it with my hands. I was making uncharacteristic mistakes because of not understanding how to do things with my hands yet.”

Those advancements came gradually before arriving at today’s Bosch technology. Wickens will use it in the GTD class on a track he’ll share with 35 others across three classes.

What makes IMSA unique is that cars if every class race on track at the same time. GTP drivers — IMSA’s fastest, most advanced class — will navigate around slower GTD and GTD Pro racers. The latter two classes comprise over two-thirds of the grid resulting in high-speed traffic and split-second decision making.

GTP championship leader Felipe Nasr isn’t fazed by the challenges of multi-class racing.

“I like multi-class racing because it gives drivers more to think about,” said Nasr, who co-drives the No. 7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 with Nick Tandy. “You must be able to make decisions in traffic very quickly. They put you on the back foot if you take the wrong approach.”

Nasr’s started this season with three consecutive wins. He led the championship entering Laguna Seca last year where he placed third. Nasr ended up winning the championship with co-driver Dane Cameron.

“The cars were really competitive last year, and I see no difference this time,” said Nasr. “I feel like we still have the potential to fight for another win.”

Teams must also consider pit strategy. This is the first year IMSA drivers will experience Laguna Seca with enough prior rubber on it to increase grip. More grip means faster lap times but also increased tire wear.

“(Laguna Seca) demands a lot from the car but we were able to work on the car set up to maximize it for this track,” said Nasr.

IMSA requires at least one driver swap per race. Nasr is his team’s race closer — no different than a closing pitcher in baseball — and looks to use a positive weekend at Laguna Seca to close out another championship.

“It’s just working on the details and hitting our marks,” said Nasr. “I love the track. It’s a lovely place to go racing.”

The Monterey Sports Car Championship race takes place Sunday, beginning at 12:10 p.m. The two-hour, 40-minute race concludes a three-day racing weekend with two practice sessions, and a Saturday qualifying determining starting positions. Tickets are available through Laguna Seca Raceway’s website.

Mason Bloom is a student journalist at Aptos High School.