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HOMETOWN: Puyallup, WA
BIRTHDATE: October 2, 1991 YEARS IN RACING: 11 HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN RACING: Started out racing Quarter Midgets at the age of 6. RACING HEROES: Stevie Smith FAVORITE TRACK: Terre Haute, Indiana is probably at the top, but Grays Harbor Mini Raceway will always be my home track FAVORITE FOOD: Peanut Butter & Jelly
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
* 2008 Grays Harbor Raceway Rookie of the Year * 2007 360 Sprint Car A-Main Event Win, Madras, Oregon (First 360 Sprint Car Race) PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: Helping construct the quarter midget track at the Grays Harbor Raceway and then winning
a National Championship in front of the fans at my home track in a car that I built. |
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Who is TJ Hartman
TJ was born on October 2, 1991 in Puyallup, WA, to Ted & Ann Hartman. He is now a Junior at Emerald
Ridge High School in Puyallup. He plans to further his education in an engineering field. He has made many friends in racing, and is well known and respected by his fans and peers for his abilities. His family and close friends have always employed a policy of family togetherness and fun. His driving style has been described as "methodical in his approach." He is always calm and quiet, and is well known for
his intoxicating smile wherever he goes.
How it all started
TJ began racing quarter midgets when he was 6 years old. His family has always been completely
involved and supportive, and looked for an activity where they could all participate together.
Younger sister Nicki, has been racing quarter midgets as well, and his parents are always helping
somewhere. This has set a great example and has taught TJ to be hands on in everything. He has
learned a great deal by building and working on the cars as well as driving them. This type of
approach will always be an asset and will certainly help him in anything he chooses to do in life.
End of a chapter
TJ ended his quarter midget tenure following the 2006 season, and after 9 years of racing quarter
midgets, he had compiled a long list of accomplishments. He ended his quarter midget tenure with
many accomplishments, including four National Championships, a pair of Region Championships,
an uninterrupted string of 14 Class Championships at his home track, 127 A-Feature event wins,
and an ability to accomplish virtually anything he had set out to do. He felt it was now time to move
on and challenge himself further. His ambition was to drive a sprint car, and that is what he set his
sights on. TJ proved right out of the gate that he was ready for the challenge. In his debut in a
sprint car at Madras Speedway on June 30, 2007, the then 15 year old captured his first win. It was
clear he was up for the challenge.
A rookie season
The 2008 racing season would be defined as TJ’s novice year all over again. Now at the age of
16, TJ was called upon to lay out a schedule for his rookie season. He had long since dreamed of
racing on the high banked, super fast, 3/8 mile clay oval known as the Grays Harbor Raceway in
Elma, WA. Always the one to smile, TJ showed his home track fans what he was capable of right
from the start. In his first two starts of 2008 he finished 6th, and 5th, in a field of drivers that held a
combined 10 track championships. It was apparent to everyone that TJ had placed himself right
where he belonged. In the 12 race weekly points series, TJ placed in the top 10 on 7 occasions, 4
top 5’s, and a trophy dash win in only his 4th start. When the season point totals were calculated,
TJ had risen to the challenge, finishing the season points standings in 5th place, just 96 points out
of 1st place. He also earned the coveted Rookie of the Year award, reinforced by the fact that he
finished in front of several veterans in the point totals for the year. He ran a handful of ASCS
Northwest Region races, and showed he was not intimidated by the level of competition.
On track for success
The foundation for TJ’s chosen interest of racing continues to be based on family togetherness
and fun. The level of success is measured by the continued support and following from his friends,
team members, and sponsors. Judging by the loyalty and support from the fans, and the praise
from his competitors, the next chapter in TJ’s racing success story is sure to be a success. Follow
along with TJ. He's easy to recognize - just look for the "skinny, freckled face kid with glasses"
the one who is always wearing a smile.
