As a student at Jacksonville University, Hurley met, and beat, Peter Gregg at a local autocross competition. Peter took the “if you can’t beat them join them” approach to the situation and asked Hurley to drive with him at Watkins Glenn that year. After obtaining a NASCAR racing license on short notice, Hurley joined Peter for what would be Hurley’s first professional race and first professional victory. This race created a legendary racing team and sparked Hurley’s racing career. From that point forward, Hurley Haywood and Brumos would be interconnected.