"Nicky Hayden epitomized the spirit of the AMA Horizon Award," said AMA Board of Directors Chair Maggie McNally-Bradshaw. "The award's first recipient, Hayden was a true sportsman and a stellar representative of not just American motorcycling, but all Americans on the world stage. His ascent to the pinnacle of the sport was marked by the utmost character and class, and it all began on the same Midwestern ovals where today's amateur dirt trackers race for experience and pride."

Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Awards will be presented annually to the top amateur racers in dirt track, motocross and road racing.

The Hayden family issued the following statement with respect to the award: "Nicky loved racing and he was proud of his roots, which included those early days of dirt tracking in youth and amateur events around the country. Nicky would be honored to know that his memory will help inspire future generations of competitors to race for their dreams."

Before Hayden realized his own dream of winning a world championship, there was the original AMA Horizon Award, which AMA Track Racing Manager Ken Saillant presented to Hayden in 1997.

"I am humbled to have witnessed the professional and personal growth of Nicky Hayden from youth dirt tracker to AMA Superbike Champion and then world champion," Saillant said. "Each year, AMA amateur racing ushers a new class into the pro ranks, and while only an elite few can expect to match Nicky's professional accomplishments, each one possesses the same aspirations of world-class success that drove Nicky to the top."

The AMA will present the 2017 Nicky Hayden AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award on July 4 in Du Quoin, Ill., on the final day of the AMA Dirt Track Grand Championship.

The 2017 Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award will be presented on Aug. 5 at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., and the 2017 Nicky Hayden AMA Road Racing Horizon Award will be handed out on Nov. 5 following the AMA Road Race Grand Championship at Barber Motorsports Park.

Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award recipients also will be recognized at the 2017 AMA Championship Banquet on Jan. 20, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. 

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

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