From Bill Wright
Brady Bacon will team with Joe Dooling of Dooling Machine and Brodie Hayward from B&H Contractors and their non-wing #63 team for 20-25 races in 2017. The Broken Arrow, Oklahoma driver just wrapped up his second USAC National Sprint Car championship. The Dooling/Hayward Racing team has competed the last few seasons with the late great Bryan Clauson.
Brady is very thankful for his time with the Hoffman Racing/Dynamic, Inc. #69. The team won two USAC titles in the last three seasons. “Because I’m focusing on the wing sprint car deal with Bacon/Marshall Motorsports in 2017, the Hoffman Racing #69 team and I had to part ways,” he says. “Obviously, there are no hard feelings there. We both were very pleased with our time together. I wish them the best of luck in the future.”
The opportunity for a part-time schedule with the #63 presented itself. “Brodie Hayward from B&H Contractors, which is a partner on the car, and I got together,” says Brady. “He asked if I wanted to race their car, and I said I would. We worked out a partial schedule to compete in Florida, the Western World, the Perris Oval Nationals and other major events. Everything has come together, and we’re going to do that.”
Brady was aware first hand of the success the #63 has had in recent seasons. “I’m excited to be involved with them,” he says. “Obviously, there is a sentimental element there for me having raced against Bryan in the #63. Hopefully, I can continue the success they had with him. Hopefully, it’s something he would be proud of as well. It’s a very special opportunity for me. Ultimately, we want to go out and win some races.”
Co-owner Joe Dooling is excited about racing again. “Brodie wanted to get back in racing,” he says. “With the caliber of driver Brady is, I said ‘Let’s step up and go!’ I’ve been doing this my whole life. It’s all I’ve ever known, and I’ve missed being around it. We’re shooting for the big dollar races. We’ll kick it off in Ocala and we’ll see how it goes! We have a great driver, a great piece of equipment and two great car owners. We’re looking to pick back up where we left off.”
The other owner, Brodie Hayward, talked about the partnership as well. “We’re really excited to have Brady. I think he’ll be a great fit for our sprint car. He’s the best out there. It was good timing. We had a lot of contacts who wanted the seat, but this one seemed to work out the best. We’re excited to have him. We like him and we like his family. He’s a good family guy, which fits who we are with this team.”