The most successful people in life tend to be highly focused and goal driven. It also seems true that those who truly break away from the pack possess an extra measure of these essential traits.
Racers are no different. Early in his motorsports career Tracy Hines knew exactly what he wanted. In his direct and always unvarnished style, Hines said, “My dream was to be a rich race car driver.”
It is a sentiment that some, particularly the romantically inclined, can find easy to criticize. For this set, sport is about glory and the pursuit of intrinsic rewards. Thus, winning is an end to itself with the residuals that follow only a secondary consideration.
However, if you think Hines lacked the motivation and desire to win you did not follow this man’s career. When Hines pulled on his helmet it was the only thing that mattered. Dig deeper and you learn he turned his back on an easy paycheck as his NASCAR career was winding down. What was asked of him in the end was simply out of character and made his decision to return to his short-track roots an easy one.
Yet, the very assets that made him one of the greatest open-wheel drivers of his time proved to be transferable skills as he returned to NASCAR where his organizational ability and intellect were valued.
Tracy Lee Hines was born on May 1, 1972, in New Castle, Ind. His father, Jim, was a native Hoosier although the family was a bit restless and moved often.
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