Cranbury, NJ – The Hambletonian Society, which owns and administers 164 of harness racing’s most prestigious events, has partnered with Don Hawk’s Hawk Sports Management firm to pursue corporate partnerships, brand activations and sponsorships for upcoming events. The agreement covers the $7 million Breeders Crown championship series in 2026 and 2027 and the 2027 Hambletonian Stakes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Indiana.
Hawk is a former President of Dale Earnhardt Inc., was Director of Regional Racing Development for NASCAR, Chief Racing Development Officer and Executive Vice President for Speedway Motorsports Inc., and a CEO of Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), with extensive experience in negotiating endorsements, sponsorships, athlete relationships and media agreements.
“I’ve always enjoyed sports marketing, branding, and trying to help make a big event even bigger and more meaningful,” said Hawk. “Since I’ve been around standardbreds for 45 years I’ve also had a passion for us to grow the industry bigger and better.”
Hawk brings a lifetime of experience and participation in both motor sports and Standardbred horse racing to the table. He has spent more than 35 years in event operations, has numerous levels of involvement in the motor sports world and currently owns more than 26 Standardbreds, including racehorses, broodmares and yearlings at his Mill Creek Farm in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
“Don‘s passion and commitment to harness racing comes through in every interaction that we have. Combining that with his expertise and success in multiple facets of motor sports we feel gives us a great and unique opportunity to garner support and sponsorships from outside of the Standardbred industry,” said John Campbell, president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society.
The Breeders Crown, a series of 12 championship finals (divided by age, gender and gait) has been hosted by leading racetracks across North America since 1984. More than $247 million in purse money has been paid over 490 events and the late season honors are vitally important to the sport’s year-end divisional championship titles in the United States and Canada.
“I’m very excited and honored to be named a part of the great team at The Hambletonian Society and the Breeders Crown. To have the support of the Society board and the staff is a huge benefit in the way forward,” said Hawk.
“The goal is the involvement of corporate America in the promotion, sponsorship and success of the Hambletonian and Breeders Crown events and races across all of North America,” he continued.
This year’s Breeders Crown returns to the iconic Scioto Downs five-eighths mile racetrack in Columbus, Ohio, for the first time since 1988. Eldorado Scioto Downs became Ohio’s first racino in 2012 and has since grown into a premier gaming, racing, dining, and entertainment destination. The property has expanded its footprint with the addition of a state-of-the-art race paddock and grandstand, celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s Trattoria, Brew Brothers Microbrewery, Caesars Sportsbook, and more than 1,800 of the industry’s hottest games.
The $1 million Hambletonian moves to Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 2027 through 2029. The Hambletonian celebrated its 100th edition in 2025 and remains entrenched as America’s Trotting Classic.
“The Society’s mission includes the support of our host tracks and the sport as a whole. We try to provide what resources we can to make sure they flourish,” emphasized Campbell.
For more information contact:
Don Hawk
Hawk Sports Management, LLC.
iPhone 704-905-2011
DHawk@HawkSportsMgt.com
@HawkSMI