“I can remember going to Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick’s house, and they’d just lost their son and family members … from emotion of sadness to telling stories of great memories and to be there at that moment was hard, but it’s something I’ll never forget. Just how powerful that was.” Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman, recalled a sad day earlier this year. Ricky Hendrick was more than the son of Hendrick Motorsports founder Rick Hendrick—he was a star in the making in NASCAR, pursuing dreams with untamed passion and unrelenting drive. His career, though it lasted but an instant, made an indelible impact on the sport, marked by a highlight-reel win and a legacy that inspires to this day.
Born into racing royalty, Ricky didn‘t rely on his surname. He earned his stripes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where his driving ability was highlighted. At 21, he won his first Truck race in 2001 at Kansas Speedway behind the wheel of the No. 17 truck. For Rick, it was pure elation to see his son win. That victory was not just a race; it was a foretelling of greatness. Unfortunately, a plane crash in 2004 took him from the world, but his light never dwindled thanks to NASCAR and his family.
NASCAR remembers Ricky Hendrick’s first win
On October 24, 2004, it all changed. A Hendrick Motorsports plane crashed about a mile northeast of Martinsville, Virginia, killing Ricky Hendrick, his uncle John Hendrick, cousins Kimberly and Jennifer, and six others. The loss rocked NASCAR. Rick and his wife, Linda, poured out their grief in a eulogy: “Our life is turned upside down.” Rick admitted, “I didn’t know if I could come back,” as the tragedy threatened to end his racing empire. Yet, Ricky’s spirit became his anchor. “I knew he’d want us to go on,” Rick said, determined to honor his son.
21 years later, NASCAR delivered a tribute that brought Ricky’s legacy roaring back. An Instagram post from @nascarclassics captioned: “Ricky Hendrick’s first career Truck Series victory came at @kansasspeedway in 2001. This is one of the 41 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races that have been added to the NASCAR Classics Library. Watch them all and more by visiting NASCAR.com/Classics.” The race was truly a classic. It saw Ricky’s teammate, 3x Truck Champion Jack Sprague, lead the race for 80 laps, until a late race mishap allowed Ricky to take the lead. The 21-year-old held on to it for the final 24 laps as he became the then-youngest driver to win a Truck Series race.
Ricky Hendrick continued to have a wonderful season in the Truck Series in 2001. He finished sixth in the points standings and accrued 19 top 10 finishes. After running an Xfinity schedule in 2001, he encountered some racing accidents early in his career. Ricky decided to retire from driving and shifted to a car owner role in the Busch (now Xfinity) Series and was the championship-winning car owner in the Xfinity Series in 2003 with Brian Vickers.
With a promising career as an owner, following the footsteps of his father, his untimely death was understandably a huge emotional blow for Rick Hendrick. It took a while for HMS to get back in the Xfinity Series and use the #17 again, and when they did, Kyle Larson was quick to take it to victory lane. In March 2024, Kyle Larson drove the #17 Xfinity Series ride to victory lane at the Circuit of The Americas, marking the first victory for the #17 since HMS’ revival of their Xfinity program in 2022.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 21: NASCAR Hall of Famer and Hendrick Motorsport team owner, Rick Hendrick looks on from the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 21, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
In April 2023, at Richmond Raceway in the Cup Series, Kyle Larson drove his #7 Chevrolet to victory lane on what should have been Ricky’s 43rd birthday. It was a win that resonated with everyone in the HMS fold, as they wore their caps backward and pointed to the sky at victory lane, a tribute to a soul gone too soon. “It’s nice when you do something special on his birthday. I was talking to Rick (Hendrick). He was emotional and excited, and his presence is still here,” Jeff Gordon said after that win.
Ricky was more than a son; he was a partner in Hendrick Motorsports’ future. “Ricky had tremendous people skills, and he loved racing. Everybody here really enjoyed being with him. … I built his office right next to mine [at Hendrick Motorsports],” Rick shared, carrying the weight of unfulfilled dreams. He believed in Ricky’s potential. Ricky had plans to expand the team’s reach, ideas that still linger in Rick’s mind.
The 2004 crash could have ended Hendrick Motorsports as the loss nearly shattered a racing empire. Rick faced a personal and professional void, unsure if he could continue. But he found strength in Ricky’s passion, turning pain into resolve. Hendrick Motorsports reigns today, with numerous Cup Series titles since 2004, thanks to Ricky‘s legacy.
Rick and his wife, Linda, have two kids: Ricky and their daughter, Lynn. Lynn wants to live a private life, but Rick‘s affection for her is unconditional. He channels all his energy into his family and crew. Hendrick Motorsports is not only about racing—it‘s a reflection of resilience, founded on the love of a father who holds his son‘s memory close in every win.
Ricky’s career spanned just a few seasons, but its impact echoes. His Kansas win showed he was no nepotism case—he was a racer with heart. As Rick Hendrick watches his team chase victories, Ricky rides with them, forever part of NASCAR’s soul.
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