DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 22, 2017) - The American Flat Track
community is left in mourning following the tragic passing of American
motorcycle racing legend Nicky Hayden and sends heartfelt condolences
to the Hayden family.
Nicky's breakout year came in 1999, when he took home his
first victory in the Grand National Championship at the Hagerstown
Half-Mile and was bestowed American Flat Track Rookie of the Year
honors. That same year, as a privateer, he won the AMA Supersport
championship and was subsequently named the AMA's Athlete of the Year.
Over the next three seasons, Nicky perfected his craft on
American dirt tracks and road courses, grabbing five more GNC victories
and winning the DAYTONA 200 en route to capturing the 2002 AMA
Superbike championship. In 2003, after dominating the American
motorcycle racing scene, Honda tapped the rising star to join the elite
Repsol Honda team in MotoGP. At 22 years old, the Kentucky Kid was
introduced to the world, and his warm personality, smooth style and
Southern charm quickly resonated with fans across the globe.
Four short years later, Nicky's dreams were realized when the
American prodigy captured the Grand Prix World Championship in dramatic
fashion, cementing his legacy as the best American motorcycle racer of
his generation.
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