The Hoosier Hero program was established in 2022 to honor and celebrate individuals who demonstrate passion, pride and success in the racing industry. We continue to acknowledge those who positively represent our mission and the Hoosier brand, serving as role models both on and off the track. They have earned their spot in Hoosier history as a Hoosier Hero.
I am a first generation racer with a handful of years behind the wheel of a dirt go kart and only 2 years in a micro sprint. I became the first female to set a track record in a champ go kart at Adobe Mountain Speedway and made the top 15 in points for my rookie year in a micro sprint. I also recently moved to Oklahoma to compete against a higher caliber group of drivers and up my skills behind the wheel as I look to compete in the National Now 600 Micro Sprint Series in 2024. Always striving to be better on the track and as a remodel for the younger generations, especially for aspiring females in the sport.
Spencer Bayston, a 25 year old native of Lebanon, Indiana, competes as a World of Outlaw Sprint Car driver for CJB Motorsports. Unlike most professional drivers, Spencer did not grow up in a "racing family", but began his career at the age of nine from a personal desire to drive a race car. He quickly developed through the ranks, finding his way to National Midgets that eventually led to the opportunity to pursue his childhood dream of competing full time in the World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series.
Nomination comments: "Tyler is just an all-around great guy. Shows up regularly to the track with a great attitude and gratitude towards the fans. He is always willing to take time for the fans and makes a great impression on the next generation. He is also an ambassador of the Driven 2 Save program which helps promote donors and donor recipients around the country. Tyler Courtney is just a great person in general and if anyone deserves to be on this list it would be that man."
- Team Owner/Driver: Tracy Gaudu
- Team Name: Team Tracy Motorsport
- Hometown: Johnson City, TN
- US Air Force veteran
- Occupation: Vascular Surgery and Trauma Physician Assistant
- 2008 National Council of Corvette Clubs National Champion
- 2019/2020 NASA SE TT1 Champion
- 2021 NASA SE TTU Champion
- Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Finalist 2020/2021/2022
- 2023 SCCA Appalachian Hillclimb Series Modified Unlimited Co-Champion
- Queen of the Hill Winner and Record Holder at Pine Mountain and Flagrock Hillclimbs, 2022/2023
- Multiple overall and Super Unlimited class wins with NASA Southeast
- Certified instructor with NASA.
- NASA Southeast Super Touring/Super Unlimited Series Leader
- Official driver of the 2008 C6ZO6 Team Lingenfelter Corvette.
- Ambassador with in Tech Trailers after winning in 2021 the Max The Tach V sponsorship
- Ambassador with Women of Motorsports North America
- Involved with the Racing For ALS charity.
- Involved with the Santa’s Toy Run charity.
My name is Maddi Gordon, I am 19 years old and I am a third generation drag racer. I went to my first drag race when I was 8 days old and I began racing jr dragsters when I was 8 years old. Drag racing has always been my life. Every Saturday that we are not racing, my sister, my dad, grandma, grandpa, and I go to the race car shop and work on the car, trailer or whatever misc. work needs to be done to get ready for the next race. About 2 years ago I began racing super comp / super pro and I will continue that through the end of this year. 2024 I will begin my life long dream of driving a top alcohol funny car. I recently just got licensed in top alcohol funny car and I will begin my first season of competition in 2024!! I am beyond excited... and nervous for the season to start!
Landon S. Huffman’s desire to race started when he was six years old and a family friend gave him a go kart. From 2013 - 2015 he would race occasionally as time permitted.
In 2016, Landon S. Huffman competed on a full-time basis collecting 28 wins, the Jr 1 points championship and the North Carolina Dirt Series Jr 1 championship at Liberty Raceway Park. For the next seven years, his successful journey took him along the East Coast racing against the toughest karting competition in the country. At the end of his karting career, he had amassed an impressive 164 wins and 21 championships including six Maxxis National Championships and back-to-back Maxxis Junior Champion of Champions race wins – the youngest driver to win this race and the only driver to win the title twice.
The 2023 season marks the start of the next chapter in his racing career as he will pilot the No. 28 PRG Chevrolet Camaro for Pinnacle Racing Group in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series Late Model division at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. In only his second week of competition, he kept his winning ways by taking his team to Victory Lane at Hickory Motor Speedway for his first stock car win in March 2023!
LANDON S. HUFFMAN RACING HIGHLIGHTS:
2016:
- Jr 1 Liberty Raceway Park Champion
- Jr 1 North Carolina Dirt Series Champion
2017:
- Jr 2 North Carolina Dirt Series Champion
- Jr Sportsman Champ North Carolina Dirt Series Champion
- Jr 1 Hoosier Champions on Dirt Series Champion
- Jr Sportsman Champ Hoosier Champions on Dirt Series Champion
2018:
- Jr Sportsman Champ Maxxis Maxx Daddy Race Winner
- Jr Sportsman Champ Tri-State Pro Series Champion
2019:
- Maxxis Jr Champions of Champion Race Winner
- Jr 2 Lite Maxxis National Champion
- Jr 2 Ultimate Karting Series Champion
- Jr Sportsman Shootout Florida Dirt Motor Speedway Champion
- Jr 2 Pro WKA Charlotte Dirt Track inaugural Race Winner
2020:
- Jr 3 Lite Maxxis National Champion
- Jr 3 Heavy Maxxis National Champion
- Jr 3 Ultimate Karting Series Crown Jewel Champion
- Ultimate Karting Series Crown Jewel Team Champion
2021:
- Maxxis Jr Champions of Champion Race Winner
- Jr 3 Heavy Maxxis National Champion
- World Karting Association Triple Crown Champion
- Jr 3 Warm Up WKA Champion
- Jr 3 WKA Champion
- Jr 3 Pro WKA Champion
- Jr 3 Ultimate Karting Series Crown Jewel Champion
- Jr 2 Heavy AJC Mid America Series Champion
- Jr 2 Pro AJC Going Insane $5,000 Race Winner
2023:
- NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series Late Model Race Winner
My Name is Garret Keister. I started racing quads when I was 5 years old. We started off doing small local races and went to our first national and was instantly hooked. Ever since then we have been traveling and racing all over the United States.
Brenden Queen started his journey into the racing world at the age of six years old in the kid kart division at his home track of Langley Speedway. He continued to climb the ranks on dirt at Albemarle Speedway in North Carolina, collecting three championships along the way. Next came Arena Racing and INEX Legend cars, and Rookie of the Year honors and championship titles, respectively.
In 2013 Queen decided to make the jump to Late Model Stock Car racing. With the help of series legend Phil Warren on top of the pit box, Queen stepped up his Late Model program over the next two years en route to his first career Late Model win in 2016 at East Carolina Motor Speedway, where he went on to win his first track championship. Upon returning to his home track of Langley Speedway, Queen went on to rack up the wins and secure the track Late Model championship titles in 2020, 2021, and 2022, collecting a prestigious Hampton Heat victory in 2020 and his first CARS Tour win in 2021.
The 2023 campaign saw Queen run his first full-time season in the CARS Tour under the Lee Pulliam Performance banner. The 25-year old driver secured three tour wins, including a monumental victory at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway, and three wins in the NASCAR Advanced Auto Parts Weekly Series events. After a dominating performance at Tri-County Speedway, Queen has locked up 2nd-place in the championship points standings.
In addition to racing, the Chesapeke, Virginia native is currently attending Old Dominion University studying mechanical engineering.
Isabella Robusto joined the Toyota Racing Development Program in 2022 where she will run a full-time Late Model schedule with Lee Faulk Racing. Mobil 1 is Robusto’s primary sponsor. Before joining TRD, Isabella was the youngest driver ever to be selected as part of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program at the age of 12. Robusto was with the program for 5 consecutive years; making her the longest running driver in the program. She began as a Youth Driver in the Development Program with Rev Racing in a Legend Car before working her way into a full-time Late Model ride with Rev for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Robusto first sat in a go-kart at the age of five on an asphalt track in Kershaw, South Carolina along with her twin brother William. After a year of seat time, she began racing the kart in club races at Carolina Motorsports Park. As Robusto gained experience she began racing go-karts at other local tracks and eventually in numerous national touring series’ like USPKS, WKA, Florida Winter Tour and the F-Series.
At the age of eight, and while still racing go-karts, she climbed into a Bandolero and began racing at Concord Motor Speedway and competed in her first of many Summer Shootout’s at Charlotte Motor Speedway as a Beginner Bandit. Within a year Robusto moved up to the Bandit division and raced the Winter Nationals in Orlando Florida. The following summer, she added Thursday Thunder in Atlanta to her hectic schedule of Charlotte Summer Shootout and kart racing across the East coast. She moved into her Legend Car for the start of Summer Shootout 2016. With other INEX sanctioned races in Charlotte, Atlanta and Virginia, her points scored her the 2016 South Carolina Young Lions Championship. Robusto continued to find success in her Legend Car, moving through the ranks. In her last year of the Legend Car, she ranked 2nd in national points in the semi-pro division; only 9 points shy of the national championship. The following year, Robusto moved into a full size Late Model with Rev running a limited season but earning 6 top 5s and 14 top 10s in the 2020 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Touring Series. In her 2021 season, Robusto scored a pole position, earned 5 top 5s and 8 top 10s. In 2022, Isabella joined Toyota Racing as a Toyota Development Driver where she competed in 37 Late Model Stock events with Lee Faulk Racing scoring 2 wins, 3 poles, 10 top 3's and 30 top 10's. Robusto wrapped up the year finishing 2nd overall in Championship points for Hickory Motor Speedway and 3rd in Championship points at Tri-County Speedway, And she earned a podium finish at the SC 400 at Florence Motor Speedway; coming from 30th to 3rd, and was honored as the first female to ever podium in the events 30 year history.
Isabella is very active volunteering with the NASCAR Foundation participating in outreach for their annual Speedy Bear Brigade, participating in Fun Fest and Speediatrics Events and even repelled down the NASCAR Headquarters building in Daytona to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. Robusto was also named the 2018 and the 2020 Young Racer of the Year at the annual NASCAR Diversity Awards.
Isabella graduated with honors from Fort Mill High School in August 2022; a year ahead of schedule. She is a multi-sport athlete and participated on her school’s track and field teams as well as on the basketball and football teams. She represented Fort Mill High School in the high jump and 4x4 events for the 2020 South Carolina State Championship. Isabella has also joined the Team Roster for Juniors Ages 17-18 of TeamTwenty24, a professional pro cycling team responsible in developing many of the most successful American female cyclists to date – www.teamtwenty24.com
2022
- Late Model Stock - 37 races, 2 wins, 3 poles, 10 top 3's, 21 top 5's and 30 top 10's
- Hickory Motor Speedway – 2nd in overall Championship Points
- Tri-County Motor Speedway – 3rd in overall Championship points
- First female to podium finish in the 30 year history of the SC-400 (30th to 3rd)
2021 - Late model finishes - 1 Pole, 5 top 5's, 8 top 10's
2020 - Late model finishes - 6 top 5's, 14 top 10's
- 2018 and 2020 Young Racer of the Year at the annual NASCAR Diversity Awards
2019
- Finished 2nd in points in the 2019 Bojangles Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Semi-Pro division
- U.S. Legends State Champion for Semi-Pro Division for South Carolina
2018
- Won the U.S. Legends 2018 National Qualifier at Texas Motor Speedway (First Female to ever win the Battle at the Big Top)
- U.S. Legends State Champion for Semi- Pro Division for South Carolina
2017
- Finished second in overall points for Go-Pro Karting Challenge in a Junior Kart
2016
- Won the U.S. Legends World Finals Road Course at Dominion Motor Speedway
- U.S. Legends State Champion for Young Lions for South Carolina
- Finished third overall at the Bandolero Winter Nationals in Florida
- Finished third overall at the IAME USPKS Nationals at Go-Pro Motorsports
Lavar Scott is a race car driver from New Jersey. He embarked on his racing journey with Rev Racing three years ago, and since then, he has been making waves in the motorsport world. Lavar recently completed his first ARCA East season, leaving a lasting impression along the way.
One of Scott's most notable career accomplishments was an impressive 4th place finish at the renowned Daytona speedway. This achievement not only showcased his skill but also solidified his presence among the top drivers in the industry. Throughout the season, Lavar demonstrated his drive by finishing in the top 5 consistently, including a remarkable 2nd place finish at Flat Rock.
It's worth mentioning that racing runs in Scott's blood. His mother was a drag strip racer, which undoubtedly contributed to his deep love and passion for the sport.
Scott now will go on to compete at Phoniex raceway in the ARCA West series, preparing for his debut in the ARCA National Series in 2024.
An unmistakable name in the Dirt Super Late Model World: B-SHEPP.
30-year-old Brandon Sheppard has spent the last decade cementing his name in the history books as one of the greatest to ever drive a Super Late Model on dirt. 4 World of Outlaws Titles, 5 Dirt Track World Championships, 3 Prairie Dirt Classics, 2 Silver Dollar Nationals, a USA National, 3 World Finals Wins in Charlotte and numerous other Crown Jewel and big money wins through his career place him as a fan favorite and a legitimate threat anytime he steps into a 800 horsepower machine. With the evolution of his outdoor-inspired brand, Sheppard has struck a chord with the hundreds of thousands of rural C and D county fans that share his same passion for hunting, fishing and the outdoors.
In 2024, Brandon will take a new role as House Car Driver for one of the sport's most prominent chassis builders: North Carolina-based Longhorn Chassis. Given the marketability of his own personal brand, combined with Longhorn's exciting vision for modernizing the visual landscape of 21st century dirt track racing, this duo is sure to bring high-energy entertainment and results-driven performance.
Bryan Clauson was an American professional race car driver, best known for his achievements in dirt track open-wheel racing, such as USAC Silver Crown, Midget and Sprint cars and World of Outlaw sprint cars. Clauson also competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Indy Lights, and IndyCar Series and was a development driver for Chip Ganassi Racing. He made 3 Indianapolis 500 starts in 2012, 2015 and 2016.
In 2016, Clauson attempted to compete in 200 races including the Indianapolis 500, World of Outlaws sprint car and USAC Midget and Sprint Car races. On August 6, 2016, Clauson was involved in a crash at Belleville High Banks Speedway in Belleville, Kansas, and died the following night. He went on to save five lives as an organ donor and heal countless others as a tissue donor.
Throughout his career, Bryan had over 70 USAC wins and 4 National Championships. He captured over 170 total career feature wins.
In 2018, Clauson was elected into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway's dirt track in turn 3 of the infield holds a multi-day, 39-lap USAC Midget race in his memory.
Driven2SaveLives, an Indiana Donor Network program, honors Bryan and his decision to save lives has inspired over 8,000 race fans to sign up as organ donors.
- 1995 - Began racing quarter midgets on dirt.
- 2004 - Began Road Racing in SCCA in the Touring 1 class.
- 13X National Champion (7 in Touring 1 and 6 in Grand Touring 2) making him 3rd on the all-time Runoffs Champion list behind Jerry Hanson and John Heinricy.
- 20 pole positions in the SCCA Runoffs ranks him 2nd on the all-time poll winner list.
- 2009 - Runner-up in IMSA ST class
- 2015 - World Challenge GTS class
Profession: Driving force behind the search for excellence in Touring class race cars at Phoenix Performance. Andrew spends his days as a project manager, job planner, and car builder, building some of the best touring race cars in the business for SCCA GT2 and Touring One classes. Andrew also specializes in electronics and Data acquisition.
Andrew has won all 13 of his National Championships on Hoosier A compound tires.
Born in 1980
Started racing with RC-cars
Began "real" racing in 2006
- 2022 Deutscher Slalom Meister
- 2022 German Solo/Slalom/Autocross Champion.
Winning all 10 championship events in class and overall result! (First to accomplish this)
Current championship car is a BMW 330 iS Gr. H - which he developed himself step by step in 15 years from a series 325 I E30
2998 ccm, 6 Cylinder, 350 hp (naturally aspirated)
6-speed seq. Sadev gearbox
1.080 Kg weight
Hoosier 245/40ZR17 A7 (on 9x17" rims)
- 31 years of racing
- 2022 - Case Construction World of Outlaws Late Model Champion
- 2016 - Eldora Speedway Dream 100 Winner
- 2012 - DirtCar Nationals Champion at Volusia Speedway Park
- 2010 & 2012 – 2X East Bay Winternationals Champion
- 2007, 2008, 2009 – 3X UMP Summer Nationals Champion
- 2007 & 2008 – 2X UMP National Champion
- 2008 – Northern Allstar Late Model Series Champion
- 1999 - HAV-A-TAMPA Rookie of the Year
2020 & 2022 - NHRA TAFC World Champion
7 Time NHRA West Region Champ
20 NHRA National Event Wins
35 NHRA Regional Event Wins
Only all family/ girl crew (main crew girls Maddi Gordon 18 years old, Macie Gordon 17 years old)
Originally from Ione, CA, now resides in Avon, IN
Age: 32
- 1998 – Started racing quarter midgets at seven years old.
- 2009 – Began racing midgets and moved to Indiana full-time to pursue his racing career
- 2020 – USAC Silver Crown Champion and qualifying night winner in the Chili Bowl
- 2021 – 2nd place in the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
- 2022 – 1st place qualifying night winner in the Chili Bowl
- 2022 – 1st place in the 14th Vacoworx Invitational Race of Champions
"I've been using Hoosier tires for 4 years now and they are by far the best tires I have ever ridden. They make a dirt bike handle amazing, and I wish everyone would try them out."
"I owe all my success in racing Arenacross to Hoosier Tires"
- 2022 - Hickory Motor Speedway Track Champion
- 2015 - Hickory Motor Speedway Paramount Kia "Big 10 Challenge" Champion
- Made starts in both the NASCAR ARCA Menards Series & NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series
- 19th All-time in wins at Hickory Motor Speedway
- 3 wins & 17 top-five finishes in 2022 competition
- 2022 Millbridge Speedway 600 Champion
- 2010 began racing in quarter midgets
- 20 championships and 115 wins from 2010-2014
- 2013 Little Hoosier 100 winner
- 2014 began racing limited late models
- 2015 Motor Mile Speedway Rookie of the Year (1 win)
- 2016 began racing late models
- 2016 Motor Mile Speedway Rookie of the Year
- 2016 3rd Place Motor Mile Speedway points (behind Lee Pulliam and Philip Morris)
- 8 total wins (2016-2019) (including 2019 CARS Tour Throwback 276)
- 9 ARCA Starts from 2017-2020 (6 top 10s, 2 top 5s, 3 NASCAR Xfinity Starts in 2019)
Miami, FL
Rev Racing's most seasoned driver rostered for his fifth consecutive year.
- 2021 - finished 3rd in points in the ARCA Menards Series in his rookie season.
- 2022 - ARCA Menards Series Driver Champion - competing in his second season as a full-time driver.
- 15 top 10s, 9 top 5s and wins at Kansas, Talladega and Michigan.
Sanchez has also balanced a schedule in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, running a handful of races with B.J. McLeod and Big Machine Racing in the No. 48.
Fargo, ND
No. 15 - Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing
- 11X Knoxville Nationals Champion
- 10X World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion
- 6X National Open Champion
- 5X Kings Royal Champion
- 307 Career World of Outlaws Sprint Series Wins (through 11/28/22)
Top finisher two years in a row in the BMW M Trophy Cup finishing 2nd and 19th respectively for 2019-2020.
2021 - Competed in Pikes Peak International Hill Climb - an absolute career top 10 experience.
2022 accomplishments
- SRO: Rooster Hall returned from hiatus for the 2022 season with Johan as their pro driver for GT4 America.
- WRL: Running in both the GTO and GP1 class with results of several poles and podium finishes
- Hoosier SCCA Super Tour: Driving a Porsche M44 in STU - won the Southeastern Championship with 6 poles, 6 wins and 3 track records.
