INDYCAR: Mario Andretti on DWTS?

In the past two months James Hinchcliffe has waltzed into national prominence with his footwork, personality and hard work on Dancing With The Stars. And as the 2016 Indianapolis 500 polesitter prepares for Monday and Tuesday's DWTS Final Four on ABC, keep this thought in mind: It could have been Mario Andretti.

"Initially they asked me to do it and I used every excuse in the book," said the 76-year-old legend with a chuckle. "I told them I had too many commitments with Firestone and then Firestone said: 'No, go ahead and do it,' so I didn't know where to hide. But thankfully James stepped up."

Since then, the closest the 1969 Indy 500 winner has been to the dance floor was an interview with ABC about Hinchcliffe (pictured, image courtesy of ABC).

"I am so proud of how he took on this thing and went after the win and you know he's capable of pulling it off," continued Andretti. "Not only can he dance, his personality rings true. He's witty, fun to listen to and his sense of humor is pure. He's been a great ambassador for IndyCar."

Of course it's hard too imagine Bill Vukovich, Jimmy Bryan or A.J. Foyt in Hinch's shoes and old-school Mario was asked during the ABC interview if the 29-year-old Canadian could be in for some ribbing when it's all over?

"Oh yeah, it's not even begun," he replied.