With great sadness, Racing to the Red Light salutes American MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden. Rest in peace, Nicky. We are very sad to hear of your bicycle accident and passing.
We saw Nicky in person twice (saw, not met). Once at the Laguna Seca MotoGP round back in 2008 or so (memories are hazy …) on the Saturday practice and qualifying day:
Nicky Hayden enters the infamous Corkscrew turn at Laguna Seca, in front of a Red Bull ad in the background featuring his likeness.
We also saw him once a year or two later down in Fontana at an A.M.A. race where his brother (can’t recall which) was racing. Both times he seemed friendly and easygoing, as he did on camera on TV.
Hayden was a world-class motorcycle roadracer and dirt tracker. He won the MotoGP World Championship title in 2006. Nicky was the first American to win the title since Kenny Roberts Jr. won in 2000, who was himself the first in seven years, when an American dominance last reigned in the premier class.
Our hearts go out to Nicky’s fiancee, family and friends. What a terrible loss. He seemed like a great guy, and it is especially sad as the world seems to be lacking in great people these days.
RIP Nick – far too young. 1981 – 2017
2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden
racing to the red light 
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