Gary Hayden
Gary Hayden

Gary Hayden
Coatesville, IN

Driver Information

I come from a long line of racers, from my Grandfather to my father to me to my brothers and many cousins. In 1998 I built my first race car and competed in the Super Stock division and raced with them until 2002. In 2002, I built my first modified and halfway through the season I joined the JTR ( Jack and Joe Taylor) racing team, and raced with them for 2 years. In 2005, I was given the opportunity to run a 410 Sprint Car with the Wagner/Eubank Team for 2 years where I received the “Rookie of the year" award from the HARF ( Hoosier Auto Racing Fans) organization. In 2006 I finished 6th in points. In 2007, I took a step back from racing when my brother Rick passed away. In 2013, I said to my mom “I think it's time to get back on the track" and she wholeheartedly agreed and I went on to build another modified, where I placed in the top 10 in points. In 2014, I finished 5th in points.
At the end of the 2015 season, I was hit by a drunk driver while riding my motorcycle and lost my leg below the knee. I then went on to build my first prosthetic leg in January 2016... But, I always wondered if racing would be in my future. Halfway through the 2016 racing season, I decided to build another race car, not knowing if I could ever race again, I built a bomber to see if I could race in that division.
With the love I have for racing and my hard work, time and dedication it all paid off... In 2018, I picked up my first 3 feature wins after 20 years. At the end of the 2018 season I won the Enduro (100 lap feature) race, at the Brownstown Speedway, Brownstown Indiana.

Career Highlights


At the end of the 2016 racing season , I received the “Bill Gardner Spirit of Racing" award.
This prestigious award is given to the driver who “Promotes Racing, Mentoring and the Spirit of Competition."
I was the only one to this day to receive this award in the Bomber division.
It was definitely the highlight of my racing career.

In 2018, I picked up my first 3 feature wins after 20 years. At the end of the 2018 season I won the Enduro (100 lap feature) race, at the Brownstown Speedway, Brownstown Indiana.

In the 2021 season, I was back in a bomber. During that season I won 2 feature races, 4 top 5 finishes and 8 top 10 finishes and finished 14th in points

Most Memorable Moment


I received the “Bill Gardner Spirit of Racing" award.
This prestigious award is given to the driver who “Promotes Racing, Mentoring and the Spirit of Competition."
I was the only one to this day to receive this award in the Bomber division.
It was definitely the highlight of my racing career.

Favorites

  • TrackHuset's
  • EventUnlimited Challenge
  • MovieThe Sandlot

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