Racing dreams coming true for Hayes
By Hope Callahan, The Warren Record
Warren County native Jamie Hayes, a local go-cart star during his childhood, will make his racing debut in the Busch East Series at Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway in the Greased Lightning 150.
Hayes, 32, will be driving the No. 52 Hendrick-sponsored Monte Carlo SS for Ken Schrader Racing, Inc.
Hayes developed a love for racing as a youngster competing at the Littleton Fairgrounds Raceway. With the help of his late uncle, John Hendrick, he moved on to race Legend cars and Late Models at numerous tracks in the Carolinas and Virginia.
In the past three years, Hayes has competed in the Whelen All-American Series, a circuit he has raced on twice this season.
He is excited about his up-and-coming season, having already tested once with the likes of former Busch Series Champion David Green.
Veteran and former Cup series crew chief Donnie Richeson will be calling the shots for Hayes' car.
Schrader, the team owner, known to race 24/7, has changed his plans so that he will be present at Hayes' debut.
"With Ken Schrader and Rick Hendrick at the helm, a driver just couldn't ask for a better situation to be in," Hayes said.
Additional sponsorship is in the works for the No. 52 team, and Hayes plans to make that announcement soon.
Hayes is also running for Rookie of the Year honors in a class that includes 12 other drivers, such as Jeffrey Earnhardt, the grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt and son of Kerry.
Other famous teams fielding cars include Joe Gibbs Racing, Rusty Wallace, Inc., the Wood Brothers, Fitz Motorsports and Ginn Racing.
The Busch East Series, which consists of a 13-race schedule, is a subdivision of the NASCAR Grand National Division and includes the Busch West Series.
At the end of the season the two series will take the top 15 drivers, respectively, to compete in an All-Star event in Irwindale, Calif.
Drivers competing in the NASCAR Grand National Division have the option of running a car meeting the specifications of a Busch or Cup ride.
Current Cup stars such as Kevin Harvick, David Gilliland and Martin Truex, Jr. have all used the circuit to further their careers.
In fact, Kevin Harvick is entered to run in the NASCAR Grand National Divsion East-West race May 20 at the Iowa Speedway.
The races will be televised on the SPEED Channel with the exception of South Boston on June 2.
Everything seems to be moving in the right direction for Hayes, who resides in the Charlotte area with his wife, Rosie, and newborn son, Austin.
He is the son of Judy and James Hayes of Norlina.
BUSCH EAST SERIES
2007 RaceSchedule
April 28: Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Greenville, SC
May 18: Elko Speedway, Elko MN
May 20: Iowa Speedway, Newton IA
June 2: South Boston Speedway, South Boston, VA
June 8: Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, CT
June 29: New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon NH
July 14: Thompson International Speedway, Thompson CT
July 22: Music City Motorplex, Nashville, KY
July 28: Adirondack International Speedway, Lowville, NY
Aug. 18: Lime Rock Park, Lime Rock, CT
Aug. 25: Mansfield Motorsports Speedway, Mansfield OH
Sept. 14: New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon, NH
Sept. 21: Dover International Speedway, Dover, DE
The dates and times that the races will air on SPEED were unavailable at press time.
