Chris Hacker Explained

Chris Hacker
Birth Name:Christopher Monroe Hacker
Birth Date:15 November 1999
Birth Place:Noblesville, Indiana, U.S.
Awards:2013 CRA Late Model Sportsman Series Rookie of the Year
Total Busch Races:4
Years In Busch:1
Prev Busch Pos:94th
Prev Busch Year:2023
Best Busch Pos:94th (2023)
First Busch Race:2023 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond)
Last Busch Race:2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
Busch Wins:0
Busch Top Tens:0
Busch Poles:0
Total Truck Races:14
Years In Truck:3
Prev Truck Pos:45th
Prev Truck Year:2023
Best Truck Pos:42nd (2022)
First Truck Race:2021 Toyota 200 (Gateway)
Last Truck Race:2023 Craftsman 150 (Phoenix)
Truck Wins:0
Truck Top Tens:0
Truck Poles:0
Total Arca Races:1
Years In Arca:1
Best Arca Pos:86th (2021)
First Arca Race:2021 General Tire 150 (Charlotte)
Arca Wins:0
Arca Top Tens:1
Arca Poles:0
Total Arca West Races:1
Years In Arca West:1
Best Arca West Pos:28th (2020)
First Arca West Race:2020 Arizona Lottery 100 (Phoenix)
Arca West Wins:0
Arca West Top Tens:0
Arca West Poles:0
Updated:October 25, 2023

Christopher Monroe Hacker (born November 15, 1999) is an American professional stock car racing driver who last competed part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 30 Toyota Tundra for On Point Motorsports and the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado for Young's Motorsports as well as part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 38 Ford Mustang for RSS Racing and the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro for Emerling-Gase Motorsports.

Racing career

Early career

In 2008, Hacker started his racing career when he was 8 years old, racing in Quarter Midgets, where he ranked 2nd in his home state. From 2009 to 2011, he competed in the Bandolero bandits, where he won the Indiana state championship in 2010 and 2011. After two championship seasons in Bandoleros, he moved up to the INEX Legend Cars in 2012, where he won the Indianapolis Speedrome Championship in the Young Lions category. In 2013, he moved up from Legend Cars to the Champion Racing Association Sportsman category, where he became the youngest driver to ever to win a CRA event at age 13.[1] He returned to the CRA for 2014, competing in the JEGS All-Star category, where he won the Sportsman of the Year Award.

ARCA Menards Series West

In 2020, Hacker signed with Fast Track Racing with a collaboration with Cram Racing Enterprises for one race in the ARCA Menards Series West, the Arizona Lottery 100 at ISM Raceway. He started 24th and finished 15th.[2]

ARCA Menards Series

On August 28, 2020, Hacker announced on Twitter that he would be competing part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2021 for an unknown amount of races, and two ARCA Menards Series races for Cram Racing Enterprises starting at Daytona.[3] On January 11, 2021, Hacker tested positive for COVID-19, and was forced to quarantine, missing the ARCA test session at Daytona. Due to missing the crucial test session, this eliminated Hacker from competing at Daytona.[4] Hacker made his official ARCA Menards Series debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the 2021 General Tire 150, starting 12th and finishing 10th as the final lead lap driver.

Craftsman Truck Series

On June 1, 2021, Hacker announced on Twitter that he would run his first truck race with Cram Racing Enterprises at Nashville Superspeedway on June 18. However, two days later, he would announce that he and Cram Racing Enterprises had parted ways due to "unforeseen circumstances."[5] Hacker made his debut in the Camping World Truck Series on August 20, 2021, at World Wide Technology at Gateway in the Toyota 200. He drove the number 34 truck for Reaume Brothers Racing. Hacker started 31st before ultimately finishing 27th, 23 laps down. On September 7, 2021, it was announced that Hacker would drive two races for Niece Motorsports, Las Vegas, and Martinsville.[6]

Hacker remained with Reaume for the 2022 season.[7] On July 21, 2022, it was announced that Hacker would drive for On Point Motorsports in the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, with sponsorship coming from TJ's Team Foundation.[8]

Hacker returned to On Point Motorsports in 2023, and will run four races with sponsorship from Morgan & Morgan.[9] On August 17, NASCAR suspended Hacker indefinitely for violating Section 4.4. D. of the NASCAR Rule Book, stating actions detrimental to stock car racing - particularly on being charged with or convicted of significant criminal violations. Hacker was arrested on August 15 and charged with DWI.[10]

Xfinity Series

On March 27, 2023, Hacker announced that he will make his Xfinity Series debut at Richmond Raceway, driving the 38 car for RSS Racing.[11] Hacker proceeded to run inside the top 20 for a majority of the race, before finishing in 14th. He would return to the No. 38 car for the race at New Hampshire. He filled in for the car's normal driver, Joe Graf Jr., in both of these races, who was driving the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 car instead. Hacker was on the initial race entry list at Watkins Glen in the No. 07 car for SS-Green Light Racing. Katherine Legge was originally scheduled to drive that car in that race, but after her sponsor (Blast Equality Collab) did not want to be on the car due to their members' connection with the writers' strike going on at the time, Hacker brought a different sponsor (Burdick's All Season Roofing).[12] Hacker was replaced by Josh Bilicki in the aftermath of his second arrest. On October 25, Hacker was reinstated by NASCAR after completing their Road to Recovery program. On the same day, he announced that he would be driving the Emerling-Gase Motorsports No. 35 car in the race at Martinsville the next weekend.[13]

Personal life

Hacker is known as the first NASCAR driver born with a Brachial Plexus injury (nerve damage) and has weak and limited movement in his left arm. He's had three surgeries, and years of occupational and physical therapies, and still struggles with arm movement.[14] Hacker has raised money that has helped pay for nearly 50 kids to attend a Brachial Plexus Injury camp. This allows kids to meet others with the same disability and to receive support from each other and hear inspirational stories from others that have suffered from this. Hacker was one of those speakers in 2014.[15]

On February 15, 2024, on his way to Daytona, Hacker was involved in an accident when a semi-truck hit his car head-on in South Carolina. He suffered thoracic fractures in his spine, a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung, a lacerated kidney, a lacerated adrenal gland, and internal bleeding.[16] [17]

Legal issues

On June 27, 2017, Hacker was charged with DWI in Hamilton County, Indiana, as well as four related misdemeanors including possession of marijuana. He accepted a plea bargain, which dismissed four charges but sentenced him to a year of probation. Later on April 3, 2018, Hacker admitted to violating his probation in a judicial hearing and was placed under house arrest for 180 days.[18]

On August 15, 2023, Hacker was arrested again for DWI in Huntersville, North Carolina, in addition to being charged with speeding and reckless driving.[19] He was reinstated on October 25 after completing NASCAR's Road to Recovery program.[13]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (

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

Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233PtsRef
2023RSS Racing38FordDAYCALLVSPHOATLCOARCH
14
MARTALDOVDARCLTPORSONNSHCSCATLNHA
30
POCROAMCHIRCGLNDAYDARKANBRITEXROVLVSHOM94th01[20]
Emerling-Gase Motorsports35ChevyMAR
30
53PHO
35

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223PtsRef
2021On Point Motorsports31ToyotaDAYDRCLVSATLBRDRCHKANDARCOACLTTEXNSHPOCKNXGLNGTW
DNQ
52nd42[21]
Reaume Brothers Racing34ToyotaGTW
27
DARBRI
Niece Motorsports45ChevyLVS
37
TALMAR
16
Reaume Brothers Racing33ToyotaPHO
27
2022DAYLVSATL
17
COAMARBRDDARKANNSH
29
MOHPOCBRI
33
TALHOM42nd62[22]
ChevyTEX
31
CLTGTWSONKNX
On Point Motorsports30ToyotaIRP
24
RCHKAN
Reaume Brothers Racing43ToyotaPHO
26
2023On Point Motorsports30ToyotaDAY
25
LVSATLCOATEXBRDMARKANDARNWS
12
CLTIRP
29
MLWKANBRITALHOMPHO
36
45th31[23]
Young's Motorsports02ChevyGTW
27
NSHMOHPOCRCH

Season still in progress
Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (

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

ARCA Menards Series West

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 13-year-old disabled race car driver makes history. May 30, 2021. USA Today.
  2. Web site: November 7, 2020. 2020 Arizona Lottery 100. May 30, 2021. Racing Reference.
  3. Web site: August 28, 2020. (Twitter post). live. Twitter. Chris Hacker. ! BREAKING NEWS ! Chris Hacker will be participating in two NASCAR ARCA Menards Series events, including Daytona International Speedway. In addition, he will be competing part-time in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoor Truck Series in 2021!. https://web.archive.org/web/20200828153734/https://twitter.com/chrishacker_/status/1299370456278085633. August 28, 2020.
  4. Web site: Koelle. Christian. January 28, 2021. Chris Hacker Not Allowed to Race at Daytona After Missing ARCA Test Due to Positive COVID-19 Test. May 30, 2021.
  5. News: Srigley. Joseph. Chris Hacker, Cram Enterprises Parting Ways, Will Not Partner for Truck Series Debut at Nashville. TobyChristie.com. June 1, 2021. June 5, 2021.
  6. Web site: Chris Hacker Joining Niece for 2 Races. Frontstretch.com. Hopkins. Dalton. September 7, 2021. September 8, 2021.
  7. News: Hacker. Chris. Chris Hacker Returning to Reaume Brothers Racing For Limited NASCAR Truck Schedule in 2022. TobyChristie.com. December 17, 2021. December 30, 2021.
  8. Web site: Srigley. Joseph. July 21, 2022. Chris Hacker, TJ's Team Foundation Joining On Point Motorsports at IRP. July 22, 2022. TobyChristie.com.
  9. Web site: Christie. Toby. February 10, 2023. Chris Hacker Joins On Point Motorsports for Daytona; Running at Least Five Total Races in 2023. March 28, 2023. TobyChristie.com.
  10. Web site: NASCAR announces three suspensions . . NASCAR Digital Media . August 17, 2023 . August 18, 2023.
  11. Web site: Nguyen . Justin . March 28, 2023 . Chris Hacker making Xfinity debut at Richmond for RSS . March 28, 2023 . The Checkered Flag.
  12. Web site: Dustin . Albino . Katherine Legge not competing for SS GreenLight Racing at Indianapolis . . NASCAR Digital Media, LLC . August 8, 2023 . August 14, 2023.
  13. Web site: Toby . Christie . Chris Hacker Reinstated by NASCAR, Will Race Martinsville for Emerling-Gase . TobyChristie.com . October 25, 2023.
  14. Web site: Reason. Betsy. April 3, 2015. Life in the fast lane. May 30, 2021.
  15. Web site: Bastide. Ken. September 8, 2014. Race car driver Hacker opens doors for 24 campers. live. May 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215222/https://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/local_news/race-car-driver-hacker-opens-doors-for-24-campers/article_2854ac72-70d5-5fea-b509-2d3e67b0bb30.html. June 2, 2021.
  16. News: Chris Hacker, NASCAR driver from Indiana, seriously injured in crash with semi in South Carolina . Rob . Peeters . . February 15, 2024 . February 16, 2024.
  17. Web site: Chris Hacker injured in non-racing accident: UPDATE . . NASCAR Digital Media . February 18, 2024 . February 19, 2024.
  18. Web site: State of Indiana v. Christopher M. Hacker. August 16, 2023.
  19. Web site: Christie. Toby. August 16, 2023. NASCAR Driver Chris Hacker Arrested on Charges of Driving While Impaired. August 16, 2023.
  20. Web site: Chris Hacker – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. April 14, 2023.
  21. Web site: Chris Hacker – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. December 30, 2021.
  22. Web site: Chris Hacker – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 24, 2022.
  23. Web site: Chris Hacker – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. February 23, 2023.
  24. Web site: Chris Hacker – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. May 30, 2021.
  25. Web site: Chris Hacker – 2020 ARCA Menards Series West Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. April 29, 2021.