April 1, 1929 – September 28, 1990
Known as "Mr. Modified", the Virginia native collected more than 700 victories in modifieds, NASCAR Winston Cup series, and late model sportsman series during his 36-year career.
Hendrick raced his famous winged No. 11 Modified coupe fielded by Jack Tant and Clayton Mitchell. Rick Hendrick (no relation) was a pit crew member on his car in the 1960s. He won five track championships at South Boston Speedway, four of them while competing in the NASCAR Modified division and one in the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman division. Ray never won the National Modified Championship but finished in the Top 10 in Points nine times.
Ray also finished 8th in 1974 and 9th in 1975 in the National Late Model Sportsman Points before it became known as the Busch Grand National Division. Ray won the Modified "Race of Champions" 2 times, in 1969 on the 1-mile Langhorne Speedway asphalt and in 1975 on the Trenton Speedway 1.5-mile oval. Ray is 1st on the all-time winners list of Martinsville Speedway with 20 wins between 1963 and 1975. Next on the list is Richard Petty with 15 wins, followed by Geoff Bodine, Darrell Waltrip, and Richie Evans. Ray also won a 100 Lap National Championship race on Memorial Day Weekend of 1970 at Stafford Motor Speedway.
Hendrick raced his famous winged No. 11 Modified coupe fielded by Jack Tant and Clayton Mitchell. Rick Hendrick (no relation) was a pit crew member on his car in the 1960s. He won five track championships at South Boston Speedway, four of them while competing in the NASCAR Modified division and one in the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman division. Ray never won the National Modified Championship but finished in the Top 10 in Points nine times.
Ray also finished 8th in 1974 and 9th in 1975 in the National Late Model Sportsman Points before it became known as the Busch Grand National Division. Ray won the Modified "Race of Champions" 2 times, in 1969 on the 1-mile Langhorne Speedway asphalt and in 1975 on the Trenton Speedway 1.5-mile oval. Ray is 1st on the all-time winners list of Martinsville Speedway with 20 wins between 1963 and 1975. Next on the list is Richard Petty with 15 wins, followed by Geoff Bodine, Darrell Waltrip, and Richie Evans. Ray also won a 100 Lap National Championship race on Memorial Day Weekend of 1970 at Stafford Motor Speedway.
Hendrick was best known for his racing philosophy of racing anywhere and everywhere. Hendrick's modified career and philosophy of racing anywhere and everywhere prevented him from competing full-time in NASCAR Winston Cup. In 17 starts, he collected two top-five and six top-10 finishes.
Ray Hendrick was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998 and ranked No. 4 on All-Time Top 10 Modified Drivers list as of 2010. He was inducted into the the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 1993, the Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2003, and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Ray Hendrick died of cancer September 28, 1990.
This Day In Motorsport History - Home Page
Ray Hendrick died of cancer September 28, 1990.
This Day In Motorsport History - Home Page
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