MEET HAL MARTIN

AGE: 29

TOWN: Galliano, La.

FAMILY: Married

PROFESSION: Professional racecar driver (NASCAR Xfinity Series) HOBBIES: Mountain biking, golf, remote-control off-road car racing

WHAT IS A TALENT YOU HAVE FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT: I am developing a green thumb. I have the best yard on my block and am becoming an avid gardener.

IF YOU HAD TO SPEND A YEAR ON A DESERTED ISLAND, WHAT ONE THING WOULD YOU TAKE ALONG: I would take along my racing simulator so that I can keep racing.

YOU’RE A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LOTTERY WINNER. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO: I’d donate a portion of my winnings to charities I contribute to now, such as The Wounded Warrior Project. I’d also buy a NASCAR race team and mentor young drivers coming up through the ranks.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL: My role model is my dad. He is no longer with us, but he was a great man who taught me so many things in life. Some of the main things he taught me was that no matter how hard things get in life and no matter how much adversity you face, stick with what you are passionate about. Take everyday as it comes and do the best you can at anything you do. Control the things you can control, and handle all other things as they become present to you. Be a caring individual to others. Treat others with respect. Live life to the fullest.

IF YOU WERE A SUPERHERO, WHO WOULD YOU BE AND WHAT WOULD YOUR SUPER POWER BE: If I were a superhero, I’d want to be Superman. I’ve always been fascinated with flight. I think if I could fly, that would be the ultimate adrenaline rush.

TV SHOW GUILTY PLEASURE: I’m a big fan of AMC’s “The Walking Dead.” Darryl is my favorite character.

PROUDEST MOMENT: My proudest moment was making my first start as a driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (now it’s named the NASCAR Xfinity Series) and having my parents and wife there with me for the race.

WHAT’S ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND:

I have a glass of water, my cell phone and a few stock options trading books that I read before bed.

HOW DO YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU: Loyal, dependable, crazy and loud. I hope my friends would describe me as a caring, hard working, up-for-anything, happy guy who makes a mean hamburger on the grill.

DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM ADVENTURE: My dream adventure would be taking a trip to the Australian outback and seeing all the animals in the wild.

I WISH I COULD BETTER: I wish I could improve my golf game.

Amongst my friends and golf buddies, I always seem to come in last place; however, I am the best golf cart driver.

DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM JOB: I am very fortunate to be able to say that I already have my dream job – being a professional racecar driver in NASCAR. There is no other job I’d rather have.

AS ACHIID, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP: When I was younger I wanted to be a professional racecar driver in NASCAR but my parents instilled in me the importance and value in education. I graduated from the University of New Orleans with my Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. If professional racing career didn’t work out, I would have used my engineering degree to be a race enaineer and focus to be a race engineer and focus on the performance aspect behind the scenes.

WHAT WAS YOUR BEST GIFT EVER: My then-girlfriend-now-wife bought me introductory flying lessons in New Orleans once. I was able to take off, and fly around the lake-front and New Orleans East area for about an hour before returning to the Lakefront Airport for landing. It was an amazing experience.

‘I hope my friends would describe me as a caring, hard working, up-for-anything, happy guy who makes a mean hamburger on the grill.’

MEET HAL MARTIN