With a father who owned race cars and a car lot, as well, Wayne Hansard says that he was exposed to the automotive industry from the day he was born.

“It has always been a passion,” he says. “And, I had my racing heroes, growing up.”

While he admired those involved in stock car racing, Wayne says that he was not allowed to participate in the sport, as per his father’s orders. He says that his dad made it a point to put school—his education—first.

“But, when I was a senior in high school, my dad asked me if I wanted to race,” he goes on to say. “And, he always thought you either ‘had it’ or you didn’t. He gave me six months to see if I had the talent. Six months later, I won my first race. And, it became my life. I went to bed dreaming about it. I woke up thinking about it. For 22 years.”

Wayne participated in Saturday night short-track racing all over the Southeastern U.S. for many years, while also holding other jobs to support his passion. He mentioned that finding sponsorship wasn’t always easy. And, with new, younger fresh faces surfacing in the racing world, Wayne eventually got out of the driver’s seat and stepped out as a crew chief.

“There were younger kids coming along,” he says. “And, I realized that they needed my knowledge.”

Wayne served as crew chief in 2002 and 2003 for NASCAR Nextel Cup Series rookie driver Reed Sorenson. He trained him and called the shots from the pit box. The following season, he guided Sorenson to the ASA rookie of the year championship.

“Now, Reed has made it to the top of the line,” says Wayne.

Today, Wayne works as crew chief for Zaxby’s Racing and travels with the team on many weekends.  With that much work, Wayne’s mother and wife encouraged him to get some play-time. A break from work. Something he could enjoy. Some stress-relief.

And, then came along the Camaro.

A couple weeks ago, Wayne purchased the photographed 1970 Chevrolet Camaro that he plans on fixing up and eventually taking to car shows. This is his first collector vehicle.

The Camaro was a logical pick. Wayne’s first car ever was a ‘68 Camaro that his father had sold, bought back and gave to him, in 1968. He says that the car sat, waiting for him, until he turned 16-years-old. That car was his pride and joy from when he was 15 to 20.

“I’d always watch the weather,” he says. “If it rained, I would take the school bus. I was just fascinated by that car. It was the closest I could get to enjoying the car hobby, since I couldn’t race yet.”

And, now, after years of being able to race, Wayne finds himself admiring a Camaro, all over again.

“Now, I can go home from work and spend either 30 minutes or 5 hours working on the car,” says Wayne. “It’s a getaway. It’s my own little world.”

Once the car is in top condition, Wayne says that he will bring it to shows. Recently, he took a trip to a show in Pigeon Ford, Tenn., for a couple days. He says that had a wonderful time, in a pleasant atmosphere.

“The people at car shows are just…. they are just really nice,” he explains. “They are nice, outgoing people.”

Wayne adds that many people in the stock car racing industry are also involved in the collector car hobby, as well.  He says that he has had the opportunity of running into old racing friends while attending collector car shows, making for an even better time than expected.

Grundy Worldwide insures collector cars that belong to some of America’s top professional stock car drivers. For more information on our collector vehicle insurance, visit www.grundy.com.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin

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