Ray Hendrick
American modified stock car driver with over 700 career victories.
Ray Hendrick, born April 1, 1929, in Virginia, raced for 36 years and earned the nickname "Mr. Modified" for his dominance in modified stock cars. He amassed over 700 wins across modifieds and the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series, later called the Busch Grand National Division. His signature ride was a winged No. 11 Modified coupe owned by Jack Tant and Clayton Mitchell. Hendrick was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, and will enter the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2026. He died on September 28, 1990.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 1 April 1929
- Birthplace
- Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
- Died
- 28 September 1990
- Cause of death
- Cancer
- Achievements
- All-time wins leader at Martinsville Speedway (20 wins)
- Total cup races
- 17
- Years in cup
- 10
- First cup race
- 1967 Southern 500 (Darlington)
Facts from the source article.
Background
Hendrick's racing philosophy was to race anywhere and everywhere, which kept him from competing full-time in NASCAR Winston Cup. In 17 starts there, he collected two top-five and six top-ten finishes. He won the Modified "Race of Champions" twice: in 1969 on the 1-mile Langhorne Speedway asphalt and in 1975 on the Trenton Speedway 1.5-mile oval. Hendrick is first on the all-time winners list of Martinsville Speedway with 20 wins between 1963 and 1975, ahead of Richard Petty (15 wins). He also won a 100 Lap National Championship race on Memorial Day Weekend of 1970 at Stafford Motor Speedway. The Richmond, Virginia star won five track championships at South Boston Speedway: four in the NASCAR Modified division and one in the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman division. Rick Hendrick (no relation) was a pit crew member on his car in the 1960s.
Did You Know?
- Hendrick never won the National Modified Championship but finished in the top-ten in points nine times, including 3rd in 1964 and 1966.
- He finished eighth in 1974 and ninth in 1975 in the National Late Model Sportsman Points before it became known as the Busch Grand National Division.
- Hendrick was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.
- He was ranked No. 4 on the All-Time Top 10 Modified Drivers list in 2010.
- Hendrick was the first inductee into the Virginia Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2003.
More in International Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductees
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