Joseph Blasius of Northville, Mich., was named the Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award winner at the 2017 AMA Road Race Grand Championship, hosted by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing, at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Ala. on Nov. 2-5.

“I was extremely shocked when I heard my name called,” Blasius said. “Once I got up there it started to sink in, so I didn’t know what to say and my whole body was shaking. I am so honored and humbled because I know how prestigious this award is and now having it named after Nicky Hayden makes it mean even more.”

The 25-year-old has been racing motorcycles since age 5, but got seriously involved in dirt bikes and racing when he was in high school and eventually started road racing at 22.

“This is only my third year racing, so it means a lot to me that people can see potential in me,” Blasius said. “My trainer Richard Harris and [coach] Jason Disalvo have helped me so much, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them, but racing wouldn’t even be possible without my dad and all the support and help he gives me. Everyone I’ve met from racing has helped me progress in some way and I couldn’t be more thankful.”

AMA Youth Road Racer of the Year was awarded to 10-year-old Kayla Yaakov of Biglerville, Pa. She finished second in the AMA Lightweight Twins Superbike Novice class.

Andrew Lamoureux of Northville, Mich., was awarded AMA Novice Road Racer of the Year after securing an AMA National Championship in the AMA 600 Superbike Novice class and Daniel Adams of Grand Prairie, Texas was honored with the AMA Vet\Senior Racer of the Year award for his top finishes.