Pipe Dreams Podcast is back for Episode 34. Few families embody American motorcycle racing the way the Haydens do, and in this episode Roger Hayden opens up about what it was really like growing up in one of the sport’s most iconic households.

Roger talks about life in Owensboro, Kentucky, where racing wasn’t just a hobby, it was a lifestyle. He shares memories of riding every day, the nonstop competitive energy between the Hayden brothers, and the work ethic their parents instilled in them from the very beginning.

He reflects on Nicky’s exceptional talent and drive, how each brother pushed the others, and what it meant to sweep the podium together at the legendary Springfield TT. Roger also dives into his own career, the highs, the contracts, racing for factory Kawasaki and Suzuki, and even turning down a MotoGP ride to chase an AMA SuperSport Championship like his brothers achieved.

The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Roger talks about losing his brother Nicky, how that shaped his life, and how he found a new chapter as an announcer for MotoAmerica. He shares his perspective on the growth of the series, the rising talent in the U.S., and where he believes American racing is headed next.