With most of the motorsports world on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve decided to highlight some of the sport’s legends on a daily basis. We begin each story within the pages of National Speed Sport News.
Hurley Haywood is without a doubt one of the most successful American endurance racers in history.
Haywood has won the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona five times and has also posted a trio of victories in the world’s most famous endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Haywood first won at Daytona in only his third try back in 1973. He also won the annual February classic in 1975, ’77, ’79 and ’91. A Porsche loyalist through most of his career, all five Daytona triumphs came in Porsche cars.
In addition to 28 IMSA triumphs, Haywood won six Trans-Am events and the series championship in 1988.
He also won three Norelco Cup titles and topped the 12 Hours of Sebring twice. He competed in the 1980 Indianapolis 500 and finished 18th.
Haywood was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2005.
Haywood, who turns 72 on May 4, released the tell-all book, “Hurley: From The Beginning,” about his career and personal life in 2018.
