October 24th, 2004, is quite possibly regarded as the darkest day for Hendrick Motorsports. That was the day that an aircraft carrying 10 people, including members of the Hendrick family, crashed. All 10 personnel perished in the accident, including Joseph ‘Ricky’ Hendrick, son of Rick Hendrick. He was 24 years old at the time of his untimely passing, and Hendrick Motorsports were obviously deeply affected.
In 2001, at just 21 years old, Ricky etched his name into the history books with a stunning win at Kansas Speedway. For his father, Rick Hendrick, this moment was unlike any other. Speaking to the Hendrick Motorsports website, former crew chief Lance McGrew reflected on that joyous day and how it revealed a deeply personal side of the legendary team owner.
“It was so great, we had a big group that worked so hard, and Ricky was just a stellar kid and so much fun to be around,” McGrew said. “On top of that, we got to see a really different side of Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick because they were dad and mom. I’d seen him excited at wins before this and I’ve seen him excited at wins after this, but the glow on both of their faces … it was a different atmosphere. That was all the feels. Obviously, it was the best win for so many reasons.”
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For Rick and Linda Hendrick, the pride of seeing their son in Victory Lane was unmatched. While Rick Hendrick had celebrated countless wins as a team owner, this one struck a personal chord, showcasing the joy of a parent watching their child succeed. That maiden win of his came at the Kansas Speedway and McGrew considers it as one of HMS’s greatest wins in NASCAR history.
Rick Hendrick’s son validates his talent on the track
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While the Kansas win was a milestone for the Hendrick family, it was also a pivotal moment in Ricky Hendrick’s career. As the son of a motorsports legend, Ricky carried the weight of expectations and often faced criticism that his opportunities stemmed from his father’s influence. However, his performance in the 2001 Truck Series season silenced doubters and solidified his place as a legitimate talent.
“He definitely had a lot of pressure on him. But the one thing about Ricky, he had a lot of confidence. Not in a cocky way, but he was just very successful in anything he ever tried to do,” McGrew further explained. “I don’t think it was a huge surprise to anyone for him to be successful at that level, but he also worked really hard to make sure that happened.”
Ricky’s consistency throughout the season—finishing in the Top 10 in all but five races—proved that he wasn’t just riding on his family’s name. McGrew emphasized how Ricky’s natural talent and dedication made him stand out. Whether it was on the racetrack or picking up hobbies like skateboarding or playing the guitar, Ricky excelled through sheer determination and skill.
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via Imago Rick Hendrick pauses to look at the wall of photos that line the trailer from his late son, Ricky Hendrick’s race team on display inside the 58,000-square foot Heritage Center in Concord, North Carolina on July 25, 2023. On Oct. 24, 2004, Hendrick’s son, Ricky, Hendrick’s brother, two nieces and six others were killed when a team plane crashed on the way to a race at Martinsville Speedway. Ricky was 24. Rick Hendrick’s employees presented to him after the plane crash. It is filled with Ricky’s racing gear and other memorabilia. He points to RickyÕs radios, his small Go Kart sits on the floor, there are photos of Ricky at races and with his family hung throughout it.
His Truck Series win at Kansas wasn’t just a moment of personal triumph—it was a defining statement. For a young driver with much to prove, the victory validated his hard work and resilience, leaving a legacy that still resonates with fans and the Hendrick Motorsports family.