After tragic loss, Hayes moves forward with career

Jamie Hayes is not a household name in NASCAR, but the North Carolina native did grow up in a household full of racers.

As a young child, Hayes was a Warren County go-kart star and after he graduated from college, Hayes convinced his late uncle, John Hendrick, brother of Rick Hendrick, to take him stock car racing.

Jamie Hayes

'07 CWES results

Races	13
Wins	0
Top-fives	1
Top-10s	6
Poles	0
Earnings	$30,975

Racing Legend Cars and Late Models all around the Carolinas, the pair formed a strong bond and Hayes expected to develop a successful career in NASCAR's big leagues.

In October 2004, Hayes' plans were sidelined after his uncle was killed in a plane crash en route to a Cup race at Martinsville Speedway. The thought of racing left Hayes' mind completely -- he was content to work in the Hendrick car business and look after his aunt, Cathy Hendrick.

"I just had a huge empty spot in my heart and I was torn all to pieces," said Hayes of how he felt after the accident.

At the urging of friends and family, team owner Rick Hendrick included, Hayes went forward with his plans to go racing.

With Hendrick's support, Hayes built a Late Model car and went racing despite feeling a bit out of sorts and out of place. Still reeling from the loss of his uncle -- his guiding hand -- Hayes recalled the emotion he felt returning to the Concord Motorsports Park almost a year later.

"I walked through the tunnel and thought, 'what am I doing here?'" Hayes said. "That was the last place I saw my uncle. It was after a wreck I had and he said, 'buddy we'll talk about it tomorrow, love you,' and he patted me on the back of my head. That was the last time I saw him."

Now a father and a husband himself, Hayes is healing and looking for a restart of sorts for his career; he's ready to write a new chapter.

Sprint Cup veteran Ken Schrader has asked Hayes to join Ken Schrader Racing for a second season in the Camping World East Series.

"Last year was a big learning year; new tracks, new cars," Schrader said. "Had we not got caught up in that big wreck at the end of the season, [Hayes] would have finished fifth or sixth in the points as opposed to eighth. He learned a lot and we are excited to have him back."

Hayes is joined this season at KSR by motocross legend Ricky Carmichael. Both will run old Cup cars driven by Hendrick Motorsports driver Casey Mears and former HMS driver Kyle Busch.

In addition to support from Hendrick, Hayes has received sound advice and guidance from Schrader as well as former Nationwide Series champion David Green. Former Cup Series crew chief Donnie Richeson will crew chief Hayes' No. 52 which is the inverted No. 25; the number Schrader drove at Hendrick Motorsports years prior.

Schrader and Hendrick are long-time friends and according to Schrader will be partners for life.

"He's like a big brother and father combined," Schrader said.

Relationships like theirs are what Hayes values.

So with Hendrick equipment and a hands-on owner like Schrader, Hayes said there is no reason for his team not to score multiple wins this season in the Camping World Series.

"Now is the time I have to win," he said. "There's not a lot of pressure, but I know I have to start winning some races. I led a lot of laps last season and could've won one had we not been wrecked, but I have to win races."

More than that, he wants a win for his uncle.

"I'm still looking for that first win so I can give that speech for my uncle in Victory Lane," he said. "And I want to honor him every lap of the way."