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Davey Hamilton
Hamilton at Madera Speedway in 2024
Nationality	American
Born	(1962-06-13) June 13, 1962 (age 62) Nampa, Idaho, U.S.
Indy Racing League IndyCar Series
Years active	1996–2001, 2007–2011
Teams	Dreyer & Reinbold Racing de Ferran Dragon Racing Vision Racing Sam Schmidt Motorsports TeamXtreme Galles Racing Nienhouse Motorsports A. J. Foyt Enterprises
Starts	56
Wins	0
Poles	0
Best finish	2nd in 1996–1997, 1998
Previous series
2013–2014, 2016 1991, 1993, 1995 1995	Stadium Super Trucks CART IndyCar Indy Lights
Awards
2001	Scott Brayton Award

David Jay "Davey" Hamilton (born June 13, 1962, in Nampa, Idaho) is a race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series and Stadium Super Trucks. He has made 56 series starts and while never winning a race, finished second three times. He placed second in series points in the 1996–1997 season and again in 1998 season.

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.

Early career

Davey Hamilton's IndyCar career started in 1991. His father Ken traded the Eagle Aircraft Flyer Special he attempted to qualify at the 1982 Indianapolis 500 for a rookie test with Hemelgarn Racing for Davey. Davey attempted to qualify for the Indy 500 in 1991, 1993 and 1995. He made his first IndyCar start at the 1996 Indy 200 at Walt Disney World, the first ever Indy Racing League race.

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.

After the crash, Hamilton took a retirement from driving, and underwent 23 operations to reconstruct his feet and legs. He began standing after five months of the crash, and spent a year requiring the use of a wheelchair. He did, however, desire to return to racing, and in 2005, started taking steps to return to the cockpit.

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."

Life after retirement

Hamilton became the color commentator for Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network broadcasts in 2003. 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 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.

In 2014 he co-founded King of the Wing, a national pavement sprint car series.

Return to racing

In 2005, Hamilton started courting sponsors and perusing the paddock in an effort to return to racing. After settling several personal and business issues, he landed a ride for the 2007 Indianapolis 500, driving for Vision Racing. Qualifying 20th, Hamilton placed 9th after the race was ended early on lap 166 due to rain. For 2008, Hamilton re-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.

Hamilton's final season of races would be 2011. He finished 24th in the 2011 Indianapolis 500. He also raced in the Twin 275's at Texas for unfinished business. His final start would be at the tragic 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas. Hamilton was fortunate enough to escape the major accident on lap 11 that killed Dan Wheldon, but the race was abandoned, and the results were scratched from official record. When the new chassis and engine package was introduced for the 2012 season, Hamilton was unable to secure a car for the 2012 Indianapolis 500 due to a lack of available rides.

In 2013, Hamilton joined the Stadium Super Trucks, serving as a substitute for Jimmy Vasser at Honda Indy Toronto; Hamilton started first in the event, but engine trouble forced him to finish seventh. In 2014, he made his season debut at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, where he placed 8th in the first race and 9th in the second race.

Personal life

Davey has a son named Davey Jay Hamilton Jr. (D.J.) who was born on March 15, 1997, in Idaho. D.J. is also a racing driver, racing in sprint cars and Stadium Super Trucks. He also has a daughter named Hailey.

Hamilton is a Christian.

Career results

American open–wheel results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Indy Lights

CART IndyCar

IndyCar Series / Indy Racing League

Races run on same day.

Non-points-paying, exhibition race.

The Las Vegas Indy 300 was abandoned after Dan Wheldon died from injuries sustained in a 15-car crash on lap 11.

Indianapolis 500

Stadium Super Trucks

(key) (Bold – Pole position. Italics – Fastest qualifier. * – Most laps led.)

References

1. "RETRO: The wild tale of 1982's Eagle Aviation Flyer IndyCar, part 2". RACER. 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
2. "Hamilton Returns to Site of Crash". Associated Press. Associated Press. May 11, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
3. ^ Herman, Steve (May 13, 2007). "Rehabbed Hamilton qualifies for first race in 6 years". Yahoo. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
4. Lewandowski, Dave. "Hamilton Scratched from Texas Race". Indycar.com. Archived from the original on 2010-06-07. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
5. Pearson, Craig (2008-03-01). "Promoters rev up Action Track schedule". Tribune-Star. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
6. King of the Wing Schedule & Midwest Dates Revealed - Speed51, 12 February 2015
7. 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
8. "Justin Lofton Wins Round No. 7 of SST Competition on the Streets of Toronto". Stadium Super Trucks. 14 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
9. "Stadium Super Trucks St. Pete". Always Evolving. 27 March 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
10. "Davey Hamilton".
11. "Davey Hamilton – 1991 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
12. "Davey Hamilton – 1993 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
13. "Davey Hamilton – 1995 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
14. "Davey Hamilton – 1996 Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
15. "Davey Hamilton – 1997 Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
16. "Davey Hamilton – 1998 Pep Boys Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
17. "Davey Hamilton – 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
18. "Davey Hamilton – 2000 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
19. "Davey Hamilton – 2001 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
20. "Davey Hamilton – 2007 IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
21. "Davey Hamilton – 2008 IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
22. "Davey Hamilton – 2009 IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
23. "Davey Hamilton – 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
24. "Davey Hamilton – 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
25. "2013 SST Point Standings". Stadium Super Trucks. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
26. "2014 Standings". Stadium Super Trucks. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
27. "2016 Overall Point Standings". Stadium Super Trucks. Retrieved January 29, 2019.

External links

• Davey Hamilton Racing
• IndyCar Driver Page

• 1962 births
• Living people
• People from Nampa, Idaho
• Racing drivers from Idaho
• Indianapolis 500 drivers
• IndyCar Series drivers
• Stadium Super Trucks drivers
• Motorsport announcers
• USAC Silver Crown Series drivers
• Dragon Racing drivers
• De Ferran Motorsports drivers
• Indy Lights drivers
• A. J. Foyt Enterprises drivers
• Arrow McLaren SP drivers
• Vision Racing drivers
• Dreyer & Reinbold Racing drivers