FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Nick Hamilton has assembled a successful indoor racing career through the years, but it was an off-track recognition Saturday during the 27th Rumble in Fort Wayne presented by Jason Dietsch Trailer Sales that he circled as perhaps the biggest moment of all.
Hamilton, from Danville, Ind., was recognized during opening ceremonies for the Rumble 27 finale as the 11th recipient of the event’s highest honor – the David Lesiecki Award for Untiring Dedication and Devotion to Motorsports.
The award was created in 2014 to honor the late Lesiecki, who passed away prior to that year’s Rumble and was instrumental in the operation and success of the quarter midget class at the event for many years.
Lesiecki‘s widow Diana and sons A.J. and Jonathan, who both raced 600cc micro sprints at the Rumble for many years, have remained an active part of the Rumble community and the event’s operational success.
Diana has maintained the quarter midget program behind the scenes since David’s passing with help from 2018 Lesiecki Award recipient David Ebert. Meanwhile, A.J. and Jonathan transitioned over to lead the technical inspection side of the micro sprint program in 2021, following in their father’s footsteps by becoming instrumental members of the Rumble’s diverse event staff.
It’s what the trio saw from Hamilton outside his regular national midget cockpit that cemented for them his worth for the 2025 Lesiecki Award, as he has worked to provide a special ‘Full Circle Award’ for the past three Rumbles to support an up-and-coming quarter midget driver in growing their career.
“When Larry (Boos, event promoter) asked our family for our nominations for this year’s award, Nick’s name was mentioned first and unanimously agreed upon in a minute, making this the easiest selection yet,” said Diana Lesiecki. “Not only is he a successful driver and previous race winner, but the way he has gathered support to give back to the quarter midget classes – the place where Rumble racing truly starts for so many – outshines even his on-track accomplishments in our eyes.
“Nick’s dedication to racing shouldn’t be overlooked, though,” she added. “After losing a motor in practice Thursday, his team spent all night going to get another car just to race this weekend. It’s that kind of dedication and selflessness that makes Nick a perfect and deserving recipient of this year’s David Lesiecki Award, and we’re so proud of how he exemplifies the same qualities that made David so special to all of us – loyalty, enthusiasm, determination, dedication, and discipline.”
Hamilton is a two-time Rumble winner, triumphing in his family-owned No. 32 in 2017 and winning for Mel and Don Kenyon in their iconic yellow No. 16 in 2022. In all, he’s made 16 career feature starts in the premier national midget class at the Rumble, with six top-five finishes to his credit.
He’s also raced in Silver Crown cars, non-winged sprint cars, and numerous D2 and national midget touring series throughout his 15-year racing career, in addition to working with his family automotive business through much of that time.
But his indoor tenure began in the quarter midget ranks, and Hamilton’s determination to give back and help the climb for others like him has been appreciated endlessly through the years.
“Without people like Nick, and without the quarter midgets staying strong, the pathway to higher levels in racing wouldn’t exist,” noted the Lesiecki family. “We, just as the racers’ families do, value all he does and hope his passion continues for years to come.”
Hamilton explained that his love of the Rumble isn’t wrapped up in wins or accomplishments behind the wheel, but rather in seeing families and friends come together in pursuit of shared goals and fellowship along the way. It’s a feeling he’s held close to his heart since his earliest days inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
“I was incredibly honored to be presented with this year’s David Lesiecki Award,” said Hamilton. “My winter has always been somewhat wrapped around the Rumble, ever since my own days in quarter midgets. To be able to give back and be part of the event in a bigger way has meant more than any feature wins that I’ve earned.
“I feel unworthy of the recognition, personally, but I’m so thankful to the Lesiecki family for what they do at the Rumble and they’ve made my year with such a special award.”
Past recipients of the David Lesiecki Award include Ivy (2014), Doc Hathaway (2015), Larry Cleveland (2016), Joe Liguori (2017), Ebert (2018), Charlie Schultz (2019), Mel and Don Kenyon (2021 co-recipients), event promoter Larry Boos (2022), Kit Henry (2023), and Randy Burrow (2024).
