32-year-old Arie Luyendyk Jr. took after his –2 –time Indianapolis 500 winner father –when he also decided to become a car racer; but when he decided to sign up for The Bachelor and Bachelorette series a whole new set of skills are needed!
Hunky Arie who has competed in various sports-car series competing in the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Daytona; took a turn on his life and chose the reality TV path. Luyendyk Jr., was first spotted on Emily Maynard’s Bachelorette season, where he finished second-place.
We got to know him then, when he was filmed at home in Arizona, but after Emily said goodbye he then appeared on the Bachelor Pad and has certainly remained on the radar of the show’s casting department. Arie was always a fan favorite and rumor is “producers have sent a personal trainer to get him in shape –like he needs any –for TV,” “They think he’d be perfect.” Says an insider for thehollywoodgossip.
Though he still need to beat another potential new star, Chris Soules, 32 and Farmer Chris are the ones to beat.
Born September 18, 1981; the Dutch-born driver holds one Indianapolis 500 start to his credit. Luyendyk competed in four full seasons of Indy Lights, where he finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Championship on the strength of 1 win, 4 pole positions and 13 podium finishes. The open-wheel standout was named “Most Popular Driver” for four consecutive years.
Like any other high-risk profession, Arie has also felt the negative side. Earlier this year he was taken to a Las Vegas hospital after a breath-taking crash during the opening round of the 2014 TORC championship at Primm, Nevada. Thankfully, Luyendyk was reported by TORC to be doing fine after having surgery on his collarbone.
Below a picture of his parents, Arie –The Flying Dutchman –and Mieke Luyendyk. He also has two younger brothers, 21-year-olds Alec and Luca.
In 2013, Luyendyk made the switch to off-road racing in the inaugural season of Stadium Super Trucks, where he secured a heat win at the Los Angeles Coliseum. He furthered his off-road career in joining Team Aero Motorsports, closing the 2013 season with 4th- and 6th-place finishes in TORC: The Off-Road Championship.
On his love life we found out he hasn’t been very lucky; following his failed romance with Maynard, the Arizona race car admits reality TV ruined his own love life saying
“The show cursed my love life,” he said. “Before the show, I was serial monogamous, and now I just can’t seem to find a steady girlfriend.”
While on the show he was also accused by ex-girlfriend Cassie Harshman of participating only for the fame. She said he hadn’t been racing for a while and needed the publicity and of dating several women during his many travels. Arie ended up moving in with her and her two young children from a previous relationship. Arie and Cassie broke up for good in December 2011. It was also said she miscarried his child.
Arie briefly dated other Bachelor figures, including Courtney Robertson back in 2012, that same year he was also spotted with another ex-girlfriend, Sonia Rockwell.
The dashing Indy Car driver was also linked to one of the show’s producers, Cassie Lambert.
After the show he said he realized he wanted to focus on racing again and that the show had ruined his image with girls. He claimed he needed someone who could be more flexible because of his job.
Do you think he should come back at all?
