Hurley Haywood

Hurley Haywood, born on May fourth, nineteen forty-eight, is a distinguished American former race car driver and engineer, renowned for his remarkable achievements in endurance racing. With a career spanning several decades, Haywood has secured his place in motorsport history by winning five overall victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona, three at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and two at the 12 Hours of Sebring. He is celebrated as the fifth driver to complete the informal triple crown of endurance racing.

His illustrious career includes the coveted Trans-Am title in nineteen eighty-eight, two IMSA GT Championship titles, and a total of twenty-three wins. Additionally, he has claimed three Norelco Cup championships, a SuperCar title, and made five starts in IndyCar. Haywood's victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans came in nineteen seventy-seven with the Porsche 936, in nineteen eighty-three with the Porsche 956, and in nineteen ninety-four with the Dauer 962 Le Mans.

Haywood's dominance at the 24 Hours of Daytona is unmatched, as he is tied as the most successful driver with five wins in nineteen seventy-three, seventy-five, seventy-seven, seventy-nine, and ninety-one. He also triumphed at the 12 Hours of Sebring in nineteen seventy-three and eighty-one. His participation in the Indianapolis 500 in nineteen eighty saw him finish eighteenth, and he represented IMSA four times in the International Race of Champions during the years nineteen eighty-six, eighty-nine, ninety-two, and ninety-five.

In addition to his racing accolades, Haywood served as a Specialist 4 in the army with the 164th Aviation Group near Saigon during the Vietnam War after being drafted in nineteen seventy. Following his military service, he clinched his first IMSA GT title in nineteen seventy-one. After the passing of Peter H. Gregg, Haywood took on the role of spokesperson and executive at Brumos Automotive dealerships.

Currently, he serves as the honorary chief driving instructor at the Porsche Track Experience at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. His life and career were the subject of a documentary film titled 'Hurley,' produced by Patrick Dempsey. In recognition of his significant contributions to motorsport, Haywood was honored with the ceremonial duties of Grand Marshal at the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans.