*Quick Summary: The author and friends visit racing legend Frank Edwards as he restores one of Ray Hendrick’s old race cars.*
Yesterday I gathered a few former Hendrick Motorsports co-workers and we went to visit legendary racing mechanic and storyteller Frank Edwards. I’ve known Frank for over 30 years, and I always enjoy spending time with him. We talked about all the usual stuff – women, hunting (I don’t hunt), racing and the like, and we left feeling nostalgic and happy. Frank is an incredible character, and his stories leave you in stitches!
As always when we make these visits to see Frank, we also go see Papa Joe Hendrick’s grave site, as it’s just a few miles up the road. A sobering reminder of the impact created by one of the greatest men in my life.
Frank is currently doing some contract work on Ray Hendrick’s “Flying 11” modified. Ray was one of the most prolific drivers in history when it comes to modified race wins, and his winning percentage (wins vs races entered) is incredible. The car was once owned by Jack Tant and Clayton Mitchell, but now belongs to Rick Hendrick (no relation to Ray). Rick has had the car for years, keeping it in the racing museum I Co-Managed for years, then when we built the Hendrick Heritage Center, moving it there with it’s own building display of Mitchell Auto & Tractor, a tribute to Clayton Mitchell. Because Frank raced one of these style cars against Ray, he’s the perfect guy to restore this car.
Make SURE to check out the video of Frank welding below, and DO NOT TRY THAT AT HOME!!!
