Aaron Fike

Last updated
Aaron Fike
Born (1982-11-24) November 24, 1982 (age 41)
Galesburg, Illinois, U.S.
Awards2002, 2003 United States Auto Club National Midget Driver of the Year
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
52 races run over 3 years
Best finish28th (2005)
First race 2004 Goody's Headache Powder 200 (Rockingham)
Last race 2006 New England 200 (New Hampshire)
WinsTop tens Poles
010
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
12 races run over 1 year
Best finish25th (2007)
First race 2007 Chevy Silverado HD 250 (Daytona)
Last race 2007 O'Reilly 200 (Memphis)
WinsTop tens Poles
040
Statistics current as of August 21, 2012.

Aaron Fike (born November 24, 1982) is an American racing driver, a former competitor in NASCAR and USAC. The younger brother of A. J. Fike, he was suspended from NASCAR competition from 2007 to 2012 due to a drug-related arrest.

Contents

Open-wheel career

Fike began racing in 2001 in the USAC Silver Crown Series, where he became the youngest driver to win a Silver Crown race (breaking Jeff Gordon's record). He finished tenth in points, earning him the Rookie of the Year award.

In 2002, he won seven midget feature races in addition to winning the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association championship. He also raced in the IRL Infiniti Pro Series for Hemelgarn Racing, finishing fifth with a win at Chicagoland.

In 2003, Fike won the World Championship Midget Feature in Auckland, New Zealand, and the USAC Night Before the 500 race. He competed in the full Infiniti Pro Series schedule, with a win at Pikes Peak on route to a sixth-place finish.

NASCAR career

Fike made his stock car debut towards the end of 2003 in an ARCA RE/MAX Series race at South Boston Speedway, where he finished 9th.

He began racing part-time in the Busch Series in 2004 in the #43 Curb Agajanian Performance Group car, and for GIC-Mixon Motorsports. His best finish that year came at the Stacker 200 Presented by YJ Stinger, where he finished 17th.

For 2005, Fike signed a driver development contract with Brewco Motorsports, and split time in their #66 Duraflame Ford Taurus with Greg Biffle. He recorded his first top-ten finish at the Salute to the Troops 250 Presented by Dodge, where he finished eighth. He also ran 17 races with the #43, his best finish in that car being a 14th at Homestead. At the end of the year, he was released from his contract at Brewco.

He started 2006 driving the #43 for Curb, but soon signed with Kevin Harvick Incorporated for a limited schedule. He was released after two races.

Fike drove for Red Horse Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2007, where he had four top-ten finishes. He was arrested in the parking lot of Kings Island in July 2007, and subsequently suspended by NASCAR and released from his contract. [1]

In March 2003, Fike was arrested for driving under the influence in his home town of Galesburg, Illinois, being eventually eventually released. [2]

On July 7, 2007, Fike and his long-time girlfriend and fiancée, Red Horse crew member Cassandra "Casi" Davidson, were arrested in the parking lot of Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. [3] Fike attempted to evade police when asked to exit his truck, striking an officer with the mirror of the vehicle; upon being stopped and searched, syringes containing brown liquid, which Fike admitted were heroin, were found within the vehicle. Davidson stated that the heroin was used by both her and Fike. Both were arrested on charges of possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia.

On July 11, 2007, Fike (as well as Davidson) was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the 2007 NASCAR Rule Book. Red Horse Racing released Fike from his contract the following day. On August 29, the misdemeanor possession of drug abuse instruments charge was dropped by prosecutors. [4]

Though he initially pleaded not guilty, in November 2007, Fike pleaded guilty to possession of a drug abuse instrument and a reduced charge of attempted possession of heroin, both misdemeanors. He admitted that he'd spent 4 months in treatment for the addiction, and publicly stated that the habit almost killed him at least once. He was sentenced to two years of probation after agreeing to establish a non-profit anti-drug group, Racing Against Drugs. [5]

In an April 2008 interview for ESPN, Fike admitted to years of painkiller abuse, as well as heroin use on race days. [6]

2008 midget car AaronFike2008MidgetCar.jpg
2008 midget car

Fike returned to racing midget cars at Angell Park Speedway and the USAC national tour after his NASCAR suspension; he was tested upon arrival at the track for every race. [6]

Fike was reinstated by NASCAR on August 21, 2012, upon his successful completion of NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy Road to Recovery Program. [7] Fike has not competed in NASCAR since.

Motorsports career results

American Open-Wheel racing results

(key)

Infiniti Pro Series

YearTeam123456789101112RankPoints
2002 Hemelgarn Racing KAN
11		 NSH
3		 MIS
4		 KTY
14		 STL
14		 CHI
1		 TXS
12		5th186
2003 HMS
8		 PHX INDY
6		 PPR
1*		 KAN
4		 NSH
14		 MIS
4		 GAT
6		 KTY
6		 CHI
5		 FON
6		 TXS
5		6th328

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Busch Series

NASCAR Busch Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435NBSCPtsRef
2004 Curb Racing 43 Dodge DAY CAR
35		 LVS DAR BRI TEX NSH
39		 TAL CAL GTY RCH NZH
30		 CLT DOV IRP
23		 MCH BRI CAL RCH
43		 DOV
17		 KAN
39		 CLT
33		 MEM
35		 ATL PHO
34		 DAR
42		 HOM
33		46th802 [8]
GIC–Mixon Motorsports 24 Chevy NSH
36		 KEN MLW DAY CHI NHA PPR
2005 Curb Racing 43 Dodge DAY CAL MXC LVS
27		 ATL
DNQ		 TEX
DNQ		 PHO TAL
22		 DAR DAY
38		 CHI
42		 MCH
34		 BRI CAL
37		 TEX
29		27th2010 [9]
Brewco Motorsports 66 Ford NSH
35		 BRI NSH
38		 MLW
20		 PPR
8		 GTY
31		 IRP
19		 GLN MEM
35
Curb Racing 43 Ford RCH
30		 CLT DOV
26		 KEN
18		 NHA
24		 RCH
23		 DOV
23		 KAN
26		 CLT
14		 PHO
20		 HOM
16
2006 Dodge DAY
43		 CAL
36		 MXC
28		 LVS
40		 ATL
26		 BRI
18		 TEX
31		 NSH
15		 PHO
31		 TAL
23		 RCH
35		 DAR
43		 CLT
DNQ		 DOV 43rd1004 [10]
Kevin Harvick Incorporated 33 Chevy NSH
42		 KEN
31		 MLW DAY CHI NHA
30		 MAR GTY IRP GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM TEX PHO HOM

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Truck Series results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122232425NCTSCPtsRef
2007 Red Horse Racing 1 Toyota DAY
16		 CAL
18		 ATL
12		 MAR
7		 KAN
8		 CLT
14		 MFD
24		 DOV
10		 TEX
11		 MCH
17		 MLW
21		 MEM
5		 KEN IRP NSH BRI GTW NHA LVS TAL MAR ATL TEX PHO HOM 25th1487 [11]

Busch East Series

NASCAR Busch East Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011NBESCPtsRef
2006 Pritchard Motorsports 41 Chevy GRE STA HOL TMP ERI NHA
29		 ADI WFD NHA DOV LRP 65th76 [12]

ARCA Re/Max Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Re/Max Series results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122ARSCPtsRef
2003 Ray Montgomery Racing 27 Dodge DAY ATL NSH SLM TOL KEN CLT BLN KAN MCH LER POC POC NSH ISF WIN DSF CHI SLM TAL CLT
16		 SBO
9		54th585 [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Leffler</span> American racing driver

Jason Charles Leffler was an American professional open-wheel and stock car racing driver. Leffler began racing in the open-wheel ranks, competing in the 2000 Indianapolis 500 before moving to primarily NASCAR competition. He died from injuries sustained in a 410 sprint car race at Bridgeport Speedway in Bridgeport, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Irwin Jr.</span> American stock car racing driver

Kenneth Dale Irwin Jr. was an American stock car racing driver. He had driven in all three NASCAR national touring series, and had two total victories, both in the Craftsman Truck Series. Before that, he raced in the United States Auto Club against Tony Stewart, who was one of his fiercest rivals. He died as a result of injuries suffered in a crash during a practice session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Hmiel</span> American racing driver (born 1980)

Shane Riley Hmiel is an American former racecar driver, who competed in all three of NASCAR's national series. Hmiel's controversial stock car career, marred by accidents from his aggressive driving style, ended in 2006 after he failed a third substance abuse test and was banned from competing in NASCAR for life. After rebuilding his career in open wheel racing, primarily in United States Auto Club sanctioned dirt track racing, Hmiel was paralyzed in a near fatal racing accident on October 9, 2010, in Terre Haute, Indiana. Prior to the accident, Hmiel had become the first driver to win the Hoosier Hundred, Rich Vogler Classic, and the Pat O'Connor Memorial, the three premier USAC midget-car races, in the same season.

Stevie Reeves is an American professional stock car racing driver and spotter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Hines</span> American racing driver

Tracy Lee Hines is an American professional stunt driver. He was the 2000 USAC Silver Crown Champion and 2002 USAC National Sprint Car Champion. He currently does not have a full-time ride in NASCAR as he competes for Tony Stewart Racing in three USAC series.

Robert John East was an American professional stock car racing driver. He raced in USAC, ARCA, and NASCAR. During his career in the latter two, East was a member of Ford's driver development program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blake Feese</span> American racing driver

Blake Feese is a second-generation American auto racing driver. He competed in USAC before joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2004 and 2005 as a development driver, racing in ARCA and the NASCAR Busch Series for the team. After being released from that deal, he drove in those two series as well as the NASCAR Truck Series part-time with a number of other teams through 2011.

Brewco Motorsports was a racing team that competed in the NASCAR Busch Series. The team was owned from 1995 until 2007 by Clarence Brewer Jr., his wife Tammy, and Todd Wilkerson. The team won 10 races over 13 seasons in the Busch Series, and entered a single NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race in 2004. The team was sold to Mike Curb and Gary Baker with nine races left in the 2007 season, with both Brewco entries becoming part of Baker-Curb Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Fike</span> American racing driver

A. J. Fike is an American professional racing driver. He is the older brother of NASCAR driver Aaron Fike. Fike won the 1999 United States Auto Club (USAC) Midget Car rookie of the year title and his younger brother Aaron Fike won the award the following season making them the first brothers to win the award in back to back seasons. He later drove in several NASCAR races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Walker (racing driver)</span> American racing driver

Timothy Tyler Andrew Walker is an American professional stock car racing driver. Walker is one of many racers who have competed in many inter-disciplinary automotive ranks. His automotive career includes cycling competition, open-wheeled sprint cars, as well as being a stock car pilot, formerly competing in NASCAR. He is the first fourth-generation driver to compete in NASCAR since the late Adam Petty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Grubb</span> American racing driver

Kevin Grubb was an American race car driver from Mechanicsville, Virginia. He was the younger brother of former race car driver Wayne Grubb. He was under suspension from NASCAR competition due to two violations in NASCAR's substance abuse policy at the time of his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Steele</span> American racing driver

David MacFarland Steele was an American professional racing driver who won numerous sprint car racing championships and also competed in IndyCar and NASCAR races. Steele last drove a winged sprint car in the Southern Sprintcar Shootout Series, where he won the first 5 races in series history. Steele was killed in a crash at Desoto Speedway on March 25, 2017.

Kenneth Arthur Hendrick is an American stock car racing driver. He is a former competitor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Craftsman Truck Series. He is the twin brother of former USAC midget car driver Kara Hendrick, who died in a racing accident in October 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series</span> 13th season of third-tier NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

The 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season was the thirteenth season of the third highest stock car racing series in North America. Sanctioned by NASCAR, the season began on February 16, 2007, at Daytona International Speedway with the Chevy Silverado HD 250, and ended on November 16, 2007, with the Ford 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Ron Hornaday Jr. of Kevin Harvick, Inc. was crowned champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Wise</span> American racing driver

Joshua Wise is an American former professional stock car racing and dirt track racing driver and athletic trainer. He is currently a trainer for Chevrolet's development program for upcoming drivers and oversees driver development for Pinnacle Racing Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakoda Armstrong</span> American racing driver

Dakoda Armstrong is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 28 Toyota Camry for JGL Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curb Racing</span> Former NASCAR team

Curb Racing is a former NASCAR team competing mainly in the Sprint Cup Series and Xfinity Series from 1984 to 2011. The team was owned by Mike Curb, CEO of Curb Records and 45th Lieutenant Governor of California. Curb also had numerous business partners affiliated with his NASCAR operations, including Gary Baker, Cary Agajanian, John Andretti, and Donald Laird. The team fielded cars for several notable NASCAR drivers, including Richard Petty, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, and Greg Biffle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Seavey</span> American auto racing driver

Logan Norman Seavey is an American professional stock car racing driver. He currently competes part-time in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, driving the No. 5B for Chase Briscoe Racing and full-time in the USAC P1 Insurance National Midget Championship for Keith Kunz Motorsports driving the No. 67 with support from Toyota Racing Development.

Bradley "Brad" Riethmeyer is an American former professional stock car racing driver. He has raced in the United States Auto Club (USAC), NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and the ARCA Racing Series.

Michael "Buddy" Kofoid is an American professional dirt track and stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the USAC National Midget Series and POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series, driving for Keith Kunz Motorsports. He is the 2021 and 2022 USAC National Midget Series champion. He also competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 51 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 15 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. He also has competed with the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint car Series. He collected his first Win at Husets Speedway on June 23, 2022.

References

  1. ↑ "NASCAR.COM - Fike: 'If it were not for my arrest, I would be dead' - Nov 28, 2007". www.nascar.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16.
  2. ↑ "Brack starts strong in bid to bounce back". The Indianapolis Star. March 22, 2003. p. 45. Retrieved October 10, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. ↑ "NASCAR Driver Arrested At Kings Island - Cincinnati breaking news, weather radar, traffic from 9News | Channel 9 WCPO.com". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Register-Mail.com - Galesburg Register-Mail Online". Archived from the original on April 12, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Cincinnati News, Sports and Things to Do | Cincinnati Enquirer". The Enquirer.
  6. 1 2 https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/truck/news/story?id=3336865 ESPN - Former truck racer Fike admits using heroin on race days
  7. ↑ "NASCAR reinstates Fike, 5 years after suspension". si.com. Sports Illustrated. August 21, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Aaron Fike – 2004 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Aaron Fike – 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Aaron Fike – 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Aaron Fike – 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Aaron Fike – 2006 NASCAR Busch East Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Aaron Fike – 2003 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.