In a small race shop, surrounded by tools, trophies, and the scent of motor oil, sits a Kevlar helmet next to a Purple Heart. For Nick Guernsey, these symbols of sacrifice serve as daily reminders of his journey—from the battlefield to the racetrack, and ultimately, to finding hope.
In 2005, just five days before he was scheduled to return home from Iraq, Nick found himself in a firefight that changed his life forever. The convoy he was in was so long that those in the back didn’t even realize the front was under attack. “I was hit twice in the head and once in the chest,” Nick recalls. “Two inches one way, nothing would have happened. Two inches the other way, I wouldn’t be here.”
Surviving that day came at a cost. Nick suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), conditions that would challenge him long after he returned home.
For years, Nick struggled in silence.
“For a long time, I was slurring my speech badly. I thought, ‘Well, I broke my jaw and my cheek, that must be it.’ But I just pushed through.”
He buried his pain, convincing doctors—and himself—that he was fine. But PTSD and TBI don’t just go away. The invisible wounds led to struggles with his emotions, relationships, and sense of purpose. The breaking point came when he attempted suicide. “My life went a route I didn’t plan, but somebody brought me back for a reason. And now, I believe Hope For The Warriors is that reason,” he says.
Racing had always been a part of Nick’s life. As the son of a dirt track driver, he grew up with a passion for speed. But after the military, it became more than just a sport—it became therapy. “My Kevlar, my medals—they sit on my shelf in the race shop. I leave them out to remind myself that I got what I wanted. Now it’s time to make the best of the opportunity.”
His bright red race car, easily recognizable across
the Midwest, proudly displays Hope For The Warriors decals. It’s not just a sponsorship; it’s a mission. “I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for HOPE. I thought I had things under control, but all it takes is one bad day. HOPE helped me find my way.”
Nick’s involvement with Hope For The Warriors began in 2012, and it quickly became personal. When his younger brother Tate was injured in Afghanistan, he struggled to get updates—until he reached out to HOPE’s CEO and Founder, Robin Kelleher. “She answered my call while heading into a meeting. I gave her the details, and she said, ‘Give me an hour.’ An hour and 15 minutes later, she called back with more information than I thought was possible.” That moment solidified Nick’s commitment to HOPE. “From that point on, whatever they needed from me, I was in.”
Nick also found a mentor in Lee Bonar, HOPE’s Military Relations Director. Their connection, built on shared experiences and an unwavering commitment to veterans, became another pillar of support. “I clicked with Lee right away. He always calls at the right time—on those days when I don’t know how I’m going to get through. And suddenly, I can.”
Lee echoes Nick’s sentiments. “We just thought a lot alike. The way that we felt about the veteran connection and the way that we felt about how to support veterans and the way that HOPE impacted his life, the way that HOPE impacted my life,” Lee says. “We’re the same, and we just had that connection.”
The relationships he’s built within the Hope For The Warriors community keep him grounded. Whether it’s through volunteering, racing, or simply wearing HOPE gear wherever he goes, Nick takes every opportunity to give back. “It’s really easy to talk about HOPE when the message is pure. I feel like I can always do more.”
Today, Nick uses his platform to spread awareness about the challenges veterans face and how organizations like Hope For The Warriors provide vital support. His story is one of resilience, redemption, and the unwavering belief that no veteran should struggle alone. “My journey didn’t go the way I planned, but I was brought back for a reason. If I can help one person, one veteran who’s struggling, it’s all worth it.”
Nick Guernsey isn’t just racing for trophies. He’s racing for those who are still fighting battles of their own. And with Hope For The Warriors by his side, he’s proving that even after the darkest days, there is always HOPE.
As we celebrate Nick, we also recognize the importance of strong support systems for our military community. Hope For The Warriors’ Military Relations and Peer Support programs offer vital resources to service members, veterans, and families navigating the transition to civilian life. If you or someone you know could benefit from these programs, visit Hope For The Warriors to learn more and connect with a supportive network that understands your journey.
