Hesler Motorsports
SSG Andrew "Nitro" Hesler
Serving 13 years 9 months in the United States Army, Andrew began his career as a Signal Corpsman while being medically discharged in 2009. Building an IT background and career was the farthest from his desires to be a racer. Born and raised in northern Iowa, dirt tracks were a stones throw away from his home in every direction. Attending his first Sprint Car race in Jackson, Minnesota in the early 1980s he was hooked on racing always picturing his name on the side of a car to the likings of Sammy Swindell, Doug Wolfgang and the King Steve Kinser.
The Beginning
In 2009 he ran his first race in a limited late model at I 37 Speedway becoming the rookie of the year. In 2015 he had his most successful year winning 3 in a row at Shady Oaks speedway and held the points lead for the first time in his career. In 2013, Nitro was diagnosed with CML (chronic myeloid leukemia) and began his journey to not only combating but turning his condition into awareness for other Veterans alike. In 2018 after 5 years on chemo he was introduced to Zilis CBD which would change his life in a drastic way health wise. In 2019 he took himself off of chemo and all of his medications only taking cbd as a way to prove the science behind cbd works on combating not only chronic pain but cancer.
Giving Back
Ever since his diagnosis, Nitro has been driven to give back to his brothers and sisters in arms the only way he knows how. By giving every Veteran and First Responder a platform and voice to bring awareness to the struggles they face everyday. By taking the hotrod out to events and allowing anyone and everyone a chance to put their name on the chariot that takes them wherever the team goes.
Recently Andrew was asked about what it means to carry all the signatures with him on the car. He states " For having been a soldier, I know the feeling of how we can go un noticed and looked at as just a job we volunteered to do. Troops and especially First Responders, its a thankless job. Having their names on the car gives them a feeling of being known. Being allowed to get into the spot light in a different way and it feels empowering to know I have them with me all the time."
2024 Season
After battling engine issues in 2023, the team is poised to make a big return to competition with a new motor and new folks on board to help through out the season. The main goal has never changed, however, traveling to different tracks bringing the Veterans with them wherever they go to showcase those who keep us safe day in and day out while garnering all the help to give back to the charity. Continuing to provide a healthier life to all that have given to this great country.
History of the 1x
The History behind the famous 1x begins in 1990 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Michael Archuleta was and still is considered a Sprint Car legend in the southwest having won multiple titles to include International Sprint Car Champion in 1991 after his first season racing in a late model. Fast forward to 1992, Andrew was introduced to Michael through the grapevine. Knowing young Andrews passion for sprint car racing, Michael welcomed Andrew to help in his shop and around the car. In 2009 Andrew asked Michael if he could use his number 1x on his late model to honor everything the Archuleta family had done for him. While the blessing came with " if you run my number, you better understand what it means and don't give anything less than 100%", Michael granted the request and in 2010, Michael had retired from racing to focus on his family leaving Andrew to uphold the 1x legacy.
Michael Archuleta
Today Michael has returned to Sprint Car racing to the delight of many. As his biggest fan, Andrew stated " The Archuleta family was the biggest influence on my racing career. Day in and day out Michael through his ways and attention to detail along with his raw talent, showed me that to be a champion you have to have standards and a drive like no other. I was so lost in my life before I joined the army, Michaels shop was my home that provided the direction I was looking for. He was that brother I never had". Being a Veteran himself, Mike senior also welcomed Andrew to the shop and family. Being that other father role model that is still today, Mike helped Andrew understand that winning and being successful is hard work. Being a giant supporter of our Veterans and First Responders, The Archuleta Family are always showing their support to those that have given so much to this country and continue to give back as well.
Sowder Family and TriFecta Racing
Through the thick and thin of this racing journey with Andrew has been his team mate Landon and his father Bubba Sowder. Racing together for many years, the Sowders welcomed Andrew into their family and race shop to help get him moving forward after a few years of bad luck and life changes that left Andrew borderline homeless and in need of a place to get his life back on track. " These guys are racers" Andrew said. " The most giving family you could ever know. They want to help the sport grow and are willing to help those when they can. I couldn't be where I am if it wasn't for Landon and Bubba and the Sowder Family giving me an opportunity to breath and have a place to get back on track". Bubba is a former marine and Veteran himself and has been a big supporter of R4T throughout this journey giving us a home and a place to work on our cars.
Bright Future
" The secret to happiness is having an equal through everything" Nitro explained. " Jennifer came into my life at one of my lowest points and has not only shown me there is a better way of life but what true support is all about. She is the reason there is a car for me to get into after a bad wreck last year." Andrew went on to say that the introduction of Jennifer to racing wasn't really the way he wanted to do it. After a bad wreck right in front of her on her first night ever at a race, she told Andrew that he needs to be in a car or he wasn't going to be happy. Hence the car you all see now is because of her.
" Without her support and excitement to go racing, this wouldn't be as fun as it is even though there has been issues mechanically. That's what makes this journey worth it, knowing someone is behind you pushing you to keep getting better."
Sponsors of the 1x Dirt Late model
