*Quick Summary: Papa Joe Hendrick asked for an original All-Star Racing car to appear at the April 2004 Martinsville pre-race. The author and others worked to make it happen.*
Most race fans know the significance of the October 24th, 2004 Martinsville NASCAR race, but for those who may not, you can read this. By then, my boss, mentor, and friend Papa Joe Hendrick was gone, having succumb to complications from cancer treatments in July, 2004. In a way it was a blessing, as he wasn’t burdened with the loss of a son and three grandchildren in the plane crash, but back in April, we didn’t know these things were going to happen. We only knew Papa Joe wasn’t doing well and cancer was ravaging his body, so when he made a request in early April, we did all we could to make it happen.
The first race win in the Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports was 1984 at Martinsville Speedway, in Virginia. Because this upcoming race would have been the 20th anniversary of that race, Papa Joe wanted to celebrate by taking one of the original race cars from that era, and having Geoff Bodine, the team’s original driver, take it around the track pre-race. The problem? That car hadn’t been run in years, and wasn’t in any shape to do so. It would take weeks of work to get it in proper shape, and he only told me of this request as I was sitting in the hospital room with him on the Monday of the race week. I called back to the shop, and talked to Frank Edwards, one of the first five Hendrick Motorsports employees, and the guy who was in charge of showcar preparation as well as special projects like this. Frank and Pop had known each other for years, and although he knew how hard it would be to pull off, Frank and the Showcar guys started working on the car immediately, removing it from the team museum, and tearing it apart to evaluate it. I then called Rick Hendrick, and told him of his father’s request in a voicemail. He called me back in short order and informed me the guys had already begun. I kind of laughed a bit and said, “I’m sorry boss, I got excited! Next time, I promise to call you first.” He just laughed and told me I’d done the right thing to make Pop happy, so he was fine with it. I was the Manager over that department, but my duties were split at the time between alternately sitting with Pop during the day, and doing my regular job. It made for a lot of long hours, but I’d do anything for Papa Joe. It was an honor to put in those extra hours for him. I didn’t consider it work.
With what I can only describe as a bit of a miracle, they got that car into excellent shape, and ready to load on a trailer by the time it had to go to the track. My guys were truly the best at what they did. In a moment I’ll never forget, I was with Pop in the hospital room when they showed the car on TV during the race coverage. The sense of accomplishment and pride in what my guys did to make that moment happen overwhelmed me, and seeing the smile on Papa Joe’s face as he sat up in bed made it that much more special. Seeing these photos today, ten years later, brings back all those feelings, and I thought I would share it.
