Davey Hamilton

Davey Hamilton
Hamilton before the 2007 Indy 500
Nationality	American
Born	June 13, 1962 (1962-06-13) (age 49) Nampa, Idaho
Indy Racing League IndyCar Series
Years active	1996–2001, 2007–2010
Teams	de Ferran Dragon Racing Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Vision Racing Sam Schmidt Motorsports Mid–America Motorsports TeamXtreme Sinden Racing Barnhart Motorsports Galles Racing Nienhouse Motorsports A. J. Foyt Enterprises
Starts	53
Wins	0
Poles	0
Best finish	2nd in 1996–1997 & 1998
Awards
2001	Scott Brayton Award

Davey Jay Hamilton (born June 13, 1962 in Nampa, Idaho) is a race car driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He has made 50 series starts and while never winning a race, finished second 3 times. He placed second in series points in the 1996–1997 season and again in 1998.

Hamilton had been proficient in supermodified racing, as a frequent winner in various supermodified races, usually held in the northern areas of the United States.

Accident

In 2001 at the Texas Motor Speedway, Jeret Schroeder lost an engine exiting turn 2. This caused him to lose control of his car and make contact with Davey Hamilton's machine. Hamilton's car slammed into the wall, nearly getting caught in the catch fence, and beginning to spin a number of times before coming to rest against the inside retaining wall. Also involved in the crash was Sarah Fisher. Hamilton suffered such severe injuries to his legs and feet, that doctors at one time believed that amputation would be the best option for him.^[1]

After the crash, Hamilton retired from the cockpit, and has undergone 21 operations to reconstruct his feet and legs. He began standing after five months of the crash, and spent a year in the wheelchair.^[2]

In 2010, after retiring from the 2010 Indianapolis 500 on the first lap, Hamilton referenced his 2001 crash while commenting on his early exit from the 500 by saying, "It’s the second-worst day of my racing career...and everyone knows my worst one."^[3]

Life after retirement

Hamilton became the color commentator for Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network broadcasts. He later began driving the 2-seater IndyCar, which gives rides to VIPs and celebrities at IndyCar Series races.

Hamilton partnered with the new American Speed Association, partnering with ASA owner Dennis Huth, to take over control of the popular Southwest Tour for 2007, shortly after NASCAR terminated the popular AutoZone Elite division, which includes the popular Southwest series. The Speedco Southwest Tour series uses the same cars as the former NASCAR-sanctioned series.

Hamilton practicing for the 2008 Indy 500

Hamilton also owns his own racing team, "Davey Hamilton Apex Racing." This team consists of two winged sprint drivers: his father Ken Hamilton and friend Mike Cullum. Also on the team is Davey's Son DJ who races Outlaw Karts and Go Karts. Mike's daughter Jenna rounds out the team and she drives Outlaw Karts. In 2008, Hamilton became a partner in a group that purchased Terre Haute Action Track.^[4]

Return to racing

Hamilton at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May 2010.

Hamilton returned to IndyCars for the 2007 Indianapolis 500, driving for Vision Racing.^[2] Qualifying 20th, Hamilton placed 9th after the race was ended early on lap 166 due to rain. For 2008, Hamilton again signed with Vision Racing. He finished 14th in the 2008 Indianapolis 500. For the 2009 season, he drove for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, and was the only one of the team's four drivers to qualify during the first weekend of qualifications. However he crashed out of the race on lap 79.

In 2010, Hamilton competed in the 2010 Indianapolis 500 for de Ferran Dragon Racing. He was involved in an incident with Tomas Scheckter on the first lap of the race, and was classified in 33rd, last place.^[5]

Personal life

Davey is married to Tracey Hamilton and has a 14 year old son named Davey Jay Hamilton, Jr. (D.J.) who was born on March 15, 1997 in Idaho. He is a ninth grader and attends Tri-West Hendricks High School. He also has a 10 year old daughter named Hailey.

Career results

American open–wheel results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

IndyCar

Year	Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	Rank	Points
1996	A.J. Foyt Enterprises	WDW 12	PHX 17	INDY 12																	9th	192
1996-1997	A.J. Foyt Enterprises	NHM 5	LVS 11	WDW 7	PHX 3	INDY 6	TXS 3	PPIR 3	CHR 16	NH2 17	LV2 7										2nd	272
1998	Nienhouse Motorsports	WDW 3	PHX 26	INDY 4	TXS 7	NHM 4	DOV 4	CHR 7	PPIR 5	ATL 2	TX2 9	LVS 19									2nd	292
1999	Galles Racing	WDW 8	PHX 27	INDY 11	TXS 7	PPIR 3	ATL 7	DOV 23	PPI2 2	LVS 13	TX2 2										4th	237
2000	TeamXtreme	WDW 26	PHX 18	LVS 20	INDY 20	TXS 24	PPIR 14	ATL 15	KTY 16	TX2 19											23rd	98
2001	Sam Schmidt Motorsports	PHX 12	HMS 19	ATL 17	INDY 23	TXS 24	PPIR	RIR	KAN	NSH	KTY	STL	CHI	TX2							26th	54
2007	Vision Racing	HMS	STP	MOT	KAN	INDY 9	MIL	TXS	IOW	RIR	WGL	NSH	MDO	MIS	KTY	SNM	DET	CHI			24th	22
2008	Vision Racing	HMS	STP	MOT1	LBH1	KAN	INDY 14	MIL	TXS	IOW	RIR	WGL	NSH	MDO	EDM	KTY	SNM	DET	CHI	SRF2	36th	16
2009	Dreyer & Reinbold Racing	STP	LBH	KAN	INDY 29	MIL	TXS	IOW	RIR	WGL	TOR	EDM	KTY	MDO	SNM	CHI	MOT	HMS			40th	10
2010	de Ferran Dragon Racing	SAO	STP	ALA	LBH	KAN	INDY 33	TXS	IOW	WGL	TOR	EDM	MDO	SNM	CHI 18	KTY	MOT	HMS			36th	26
2011	Dreyer & Reinbold Racing	STP	ALA	LBH	SAO	INDY 24	TXS1 27	TXS2 25	MIL	IOW	TOR	EDM	MDO	NHM	SNM	BAL	MOT	KTY	LVS		37th*	26*

* 2011 season in progress.

¹ Races run on same day.

² Non-points-paying, exhibition race.

Years	Teams	Races	Poles	Wins	Podiums (Non-win)	Top 10s (Non-podium)	Indianapolis 500 Wins	Championships
10	8	55	0	0	8	15	0	0

Indianapolis 500

Year	Chassis	Engine	Start	Finish	Team
1993	Lola	Buick	DNQ		Senter Sculley
1995	Reynard	Ford-Cosworth	DNQ		Hemelgarn
1996	Lola	Ford-Cosworth	10	12	Foyt
1997	G-Force	Oldsmobile	8	6	Foyt
1998	G-Force	Oldsmobile	8	4	Nienhouse
1999	Dallara	Oldsmobile	11	11	Galles
2000	G-Force	Oldsmobile	28	20	TeamXtreme
2001	Dallara	Oldsmobile	26	23	Schmidt
2007	Dallara	Honda	20	9	Vision
2008	Dallara	Honda	18	14	Vision
2009	Dallara	Honda	22	29	Dreyer & Reinbold
2010	Dallara	Honda	14	33	de Ferran Dragon
2011	Dallara	Honda	15	24	Dreyer & Reinbold

Awards
Preceded by Eddie Cheever	Scott Brayton Award 2001	Succeeded by Arie Luyendyk

External links

• Davey Hamilton Racing
• IndyCar Driver Page

References

1. ^ Associated Press (May 11, 2010). "Hamilton Returns to Site of Crash". Associated Press. http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/news/story?id=5172199. Retrieved 2010-06-01. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Herman, Steve (May 13, 2007). "Rehabbed Hamilton qualifies for first race in 6 years". Yahoo. Associated Press. http://sports.yahoo.com/irl/news?slug=ap-irl-indy500notebook&prov=ap&type=lgns. Retrieved 2007-05-14. 
3. ^ Lewandowski, Dave. "Hamilton Scratched from Texas Race". Indycar.com. http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/37817-hamilton-scratched-from-texas-race/. Retrieved 2010-06-01. 
4. ^ Pearson, Craig (2008-03-01). "Promoters rev up Action Track schedule". Tribune-Star. http://www.tribstar.com/sports/local_story_061001422.html. Retrieved 2008-06-20. 
5. ^ Cavin, Curt. Davey crashed on the first lap of the Indy 500 when he lost control of his car in turn two and struck the inside wall. Hamilton lands part-time ride, Indianapolis Star, February 25, 2010, Retrieved 2010-02-28

Persondata
Name	Hamilton, Davey
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1962-06-13
Place of birth	Nampa, Idaho
Date of death
Place of death