It is rare to have helped someone out of the goodness of your heart and see that person excel, partially because of your support. Dave Heitmeyer was a small part of the legacy that follows Jeff Gordon, a 93 race winner in Nascar.

Back in 1985 when Dave was a track announcer at the Millstream Speedway he was approached by the Streicher family. They were helping a upcoming young racer and he and his father needed a place to stay for the summer. Dave offered his home and a lifelong friendship was born with Jeff Gordon. Dave also drove the car trailer to various race tracks for Jeff and even early on bought a racing suit for Jeff. Jeff has kept this relationship alive and they were reunited in July at the Brickyard race to reminisce over the dirt track days.

Dave is the owner of H & M Motors, a Findlay business, established by his father in 1959. Dave graduated from Findlay High School in 1973. He just missed the draft and in 1975 joined his father selling cars. He took over the business when his father retired in 1987. He takes great pride in the quality of cars he sells and relies heavily on return customers and referrals to stay in business.

He is married to Alison and they have two grown daughters. When not spending time with family and friends, Dave really likes cars and goes to car shows, still watches races and watches history shows. He likes to snow mobile in the winter.

His proudest accomplishment is that he never put his daughters second to work . “The time spent with them I have never regretted.”

The “King of used cars” plans to retire in about 18 months and spend all the extra time with his family.