After one of the guys found a classified ad for one of Ricky Hendrick’s old Late Model cars in a racing magazine, we made some calls. Three of us, all former team members of Ricky’s, then followed up in person. I’ll never forget my feeling opening the barn, and seeing this old friend just sitting there waiting for us to return. And then to see Ricky’s name still written on the seat was truly emotional. We bought the car, and loaded it up to take it back “home” to restore.

We painstakingly restored it as we last ran it – as a #7 DuPont sponsored car, and it made its public debut at the Ricky Hendrick Charity Ride, sitting beside the restored trailer that once carried it to the race track. Ricky would be proud his old car looks so good, and even more proud it was his old crew that worked so diligently to make it look so authentic. At the same time, Rick and Linda Hendrick, Ricky’s parents, along with countless race fans, were overjoyed to see the car. Somehow, it made its way from an old barn, back to where it belonged.