Katy Race Car Driver Hopes to Share the Love of Racing with Hometown

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

September 15, 2021

By Natalie Cook Clark

For Ty Hymel, racing is more than the thrill of the speed and going for that trophy. It’s about representing the sport, and more importantly his hometown of Katy, Texas.

Hymel waves an American flag to honors those lost on 9/11 as he wins his race that day. Photo courtesy: Ty Hymel

Katy Driver Wants People to Know about Racing

“I want people who don’t know about racing to know about us,” says race car driver, Ty Hymel. “We bring people into racing who have never seen a race car.”

The driver won his second consecutive win for the season this weekend at Houston Motorsports Park. And he’s proud to bring this win to Katy, the hometown he loves to represent.

“I just love Katy,” says Hymel. “I love how it’s a community that rallies behind people whether they succeed or not. Katy never lets Katy down.”

Hymel is a Katy High School 2019 graduate. He was on the Katy High School varsity golf team, but racing has always been his dream.

When he was 3-years-old, Hymel saw a race on television at his grandparent’s house. “I fell in love and fast-forward to today and here I am 21-years-old and racing,” says Hymel.

He loves the sport and wants to bring more people, Katy people to understand and support racing.

Wants to Bring Championship to Katy

“I want to bring a championship home,” says Hymel. “I want people to think of Katy as being something other than a football and softball town.”

It was at a race he won that he met his biggest sponsor, MKT Distillery.

MKT Distillery co-owner Nick Jessett says that signing Hymel had more to do with his character than his abilities.

“He’s down home, humble, doesn’t take himself too seriously,” says Nick Jessett describing Hymel. “He’s here for others and we’re here for him. This is about us helping him to continue to get to the next step.”

Hymel has been racing now for 6 years and bought his first race car with his own money at 14-years-old.

“I would mow yards and saved up money for years,” says Hymel. He still mows some yards and does some contract work on houses for his Dad and Aunt.

Hymel greets and signs autographs for the youngest of fans! Photo courtesy: Ty Hymel

Even with being on his first winning streak, Hymel is quick to share the credit.

“A race team is more than the driver,” says Hymel. “Races are sometimes lost weeks before the race starts.”

Hymel and his team have big plans for the 2022 season.

“I want to bring a championship home,” says Hymel. “I want people to think of Katy as being something other than a football and softball town.”

Hymel drives a Lonestar Legacy car with a racing chassis purchased from North Carolina.

“This is a very different kind of car specific for racing like the vehicles you would see on NASCAR,” explains Hymel, who speaks against street racing.

Hymel and his car will be at MKT’s upcoming birthday bash, where the Katy distillery turns 3 on October 2, 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

“He has the ability,” says Jessett. “We’re here to help him on his way to becoming a world class racer and to represent Katy.”

Follow Ty Hymel on his website, Facebook, and Instagram.

His next race is scheduled for October 23 at the Houston Motorsports Park. Follow him online for updates as races will be canceled for weather.