From a press release issued by America Honda:

October 5, 2001

Torrance, CA — American Honda announced today that Honda Racing road racer Nicky Hayden will ride Honda’s CRF450R in this weekend’s Drag Specialties National Dirt Track Series at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California.

Hayden is coming off of a four-race winning streak in the AMA/Chevy Trucks Superbike series.

Hayden will ride a White Brothers/Gary Jones-prepped Honda CRF450R during the Saturday, October 6 short track practice session of the Pro Single National Championship Series. If the practice session proves successful, the Owensboro, KY native will race the Honda 4-stroke motocrosser in the evening’s short track main event.

“I rode the bike yesterday and it felt great, said Hayden. “I plan to race the CRF in the short track Saturday. I’ll also race the mile Sunday. I don’t really have any expectations at this point, I will put my head down and do my best in both events.”

The Hayden family has a long history with the sport of dirt track racing. Nicky Hayden’s father Earl was once a professional dirt track competitor. Nicky’s two brothers –Tommy Hayden and Roger Hayden — compete full-time on the AMA road race circuit and have also competed in selected dirt track events.

Hayden underscored the family commitment to dirt track racing, adding, “My younger brother Roger will be racing on Sunday.” Roger Hayden has signed with Erion Racing to compete the AMA’s 2002 Pro Honda Oils 600 Supersport and Formula Xtreme series.