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Jeff Hawkins

Sports Editor

About

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sports7 team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sports7 now.

Articles by Jeff Hawkins (7)

NASCAR Winston Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. stands on his car and celebrates his first career victory during The Pepsi 400. He was joined by teammate Michael Waltrip on the infield grass
NASCAR
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 3 Most Emotional Awards in His NASCAR Hall of Fame Trophy Case

2021 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Dale Earnhardt Jr. hand-picked several race awards and career memorabilia for his trophy case. Three items maintain significant emotional value.

Jeff Hawkins • 30 Jan 2022
Former NASCAR premier series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr tests the Car of Tomorrow at Bristol Motor Speedway on Feb. 28, 2007, in Bristol, Tennessee
NASCAR
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Still Refers to NASCAR's New Technology as ‘Trash'

As a NASCAR premier series racer, Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the Car of Tomorrow and Gen-6 machines. He tested the new Next Gen car and was more impressed than he was with past models. He still detests the COT.

Jeff Hawkins • 18 Jan 2022
Former Formula 1 and NASCAR premier series driver Mario Andretti poses with X-Games gold medal-winning skateboarder Leticia Bufoni at the 2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sept. 25, 2021, in Long Beach, California
NASCAR
Why Kyle Larson Reminds Mario Andretti ‘A Lot of Myself’

Motorsports icon Mario Andretti admires how NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson challenges himself on other series as he did.

Jeff Hawkins • 29 Dec 2021
Following an accident during the DieHard 500, track rescue crews rush to the aid of NASCAR Winston Cup drivers Dale Earnhardt Sr. (3), Sterling Marlin (4), and Ward Burton (22) at Talladega Superspeedway on July 28, 1996
NASCAR
How Dale Earnhardt Sr. Overcame a Broken Collarbone and Sternum For a Top 10 at Watkins Glen in 1996

NASCAR Winston Cup legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. endured a dislocated sternum and broken collarbone to place sixth at The Glen's road course two weeks later.

Jeff Hawkins • 29 Dec 2021
Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa, left, shakes hands with drivers' standings rival Lewis Hamilton before the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace Circuit, Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Nov. 2, 2008
Formula 1
Did Timo Glock Deliberately Slow Down and Let Lewis Hamilton Pass for His First Formula 1 World Championship in 2008?

Lewis Hamilton captured his first of seven Formula 1 drivers' titles in 2008. Some fans still believe Timo Glock helped rig the race in Hamilton's favor.

Jeff Hawkins • 14 Dec 2021
Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas hold up race engineer Peter Bonnington on the podium following the Grand Prix of Portugal on Oct. 25, 2020. It was Hamilton and Bonnington’s record-breaking 92nd win as teammates.
Formula 1
Who Is Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington? He's Only the Formula 1 Race Engineer Serving as Driver Lewis Hamilton’s Calming Influence

Formula 1 Race Engineer Peter “Bono” Bonnington has been a calming voice to all-time great driver Lewis Hamilton for his last six F1 World Championships.

Jeff Hawkins • 18 Oct 2021
NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jeff Gordon (24) spins out during the Daytona 500 on February 14, 2010.
NASCAR
Jeff Gordon Tough: NASCAR's Consecutive Starts Leader Missed Only 1 Career Race, and It Was Because of Yard Work

Driver Jeff Gordon was one of the toughest drivers in NASCAR history, setting a record for consecutive starts. As a teenager, he missed one race because of poison ivy.

Jeff Hawkins • 10 Oct 2021