NASCAR world mourns the passing of legendary driver Roy Hendrick

Legendary Virginia race car driver Roy Hendrick passed away Saturday morning. The NASCAR world has been remembering him today. Hendrick was a track champion at Southside Speedway as well as Chesterfield County.

For every big-time NASCAR driver that you see and hear about, there are tons of regional drivers who have fanbases and do things that are amazing behind the wheel of a car. Roy Hendrick was one of those drivers.

71 years old, Hendrick came from a racing family. The son of Ray Hendrick, the all-time wins leader at Martinsville Speedway with 20 victories. Ray is also one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. But Roy made his own path.

Martinsville Speedway took the time to acknowledge Roy’s passing today.

“We’ve lost a great ambassador for NASCAR, and I’ve lost a great friend with the passing of Roy Hendrick. The last couple of years, he was always willing to bring his father’s iconic Flying 11 to Martinsville to drive in the pace laps before our modified race.  My prayers are with his family and friends. He will certainly be missed,” a statement from Clay Campbell released by the Speedway said.

"We’ve lost a great ambassador for NASCAR, and I’ve lost a great friend with the passing of Roy Hendrick. The last couple of years, he was always willing to bring the his father’s iconic Flying 11 to Martinsville to drive in the pace laps before our modified race.  My prayers are… pic.twitter.com/wrdhrMr3Pp

— Martinsville Speedway (@MartinsvilleSwy) August 4, 2024

Dominion Speedway also released a statement.

“With profound sorrow, we bid farewell to Roy Hendrick, son of the legendary Ray Hendrick, a cherished figure in the racing community whose legacy continues to inspire and resonate deeply with fans and fellow racers alike. Born into a racing dynasty, Roy immersed himself in the exhilarating world of engines and tracks from a young age, mirroring his father’s determination, skill, and passion.

“Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Roy’s unwavering commitment to the sport he loved embodied the essence of perseverance and dedication inherent in the racing community. Ray Hendrick, renowned for his exceptional driving prowess and relentless competitiveness, left an indelible mark on stock car racing, a legacy that Roy carried forward with his own talent, love for the sport, and commitment to excellence.”

During his career, Roy Hendrick made friends, fans, and inspired many. These are the people that make grassroots stock car racing great. When you have an entire state, like Roy has with Virignia, remembering you – it speaks volumes.

Rest in peace, Roy Hendrick. Thoughts with his family during this difficult time.