All News Jimmie Johnson Ken Schrader Ricky Hendrick

Papa Joe Honored:

June 2, 2004 at 12:00 AM
  • “Papa Joe” Hendrick, the father of Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick who planted the seed that has grown into one of NASCAR’s most successful organizations, was presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by N.C. Gov. Mike Easley on Tuesday. The award is the State of North Carolina’s highest honor presented to an individual for dedication and extended length of service to his or her organization. Gov. Easley made the presentation at Hendrick’s headquarters near Lowe’s Motor Speedway, in front of nearly 450 of the organization’s employees, including Hendrick Nextel Cup driver Jimmie Johnson, who won Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. “Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick you really have helped the weak grow strong and you’ve made the strong grow great,” Easley said. “Because of the work that you two started many, many years ago, you have improved the quality of life of thousands of North Carolinians and those beyond this state.”
    “Papa Joe” Hendrick Jr., 84, has been in and out of a Charlotte, N.C., hospital battling cancer in recent months. He and his wife, Mary, were on hand Tuesday to receive the honor. Johnson and former Hendrick driver Ken Schrader made remarks during the presentation. Johnson lauded “Papa Joe” for his courage in the face of adversity. “Pop, you make us all wake up every morning and work a little harder seeing how hard you’ve fought through everything,” he said. “You give us all a lot of inspiration to wake up each morning, put a smile on our face and get to work.” “Papa Joe” Hendrick co-owns Hendrick’s #5 Busch and #25 Nextel Cup series teams with his grandson, Ricky Hendrick. “Papa Joe” Hendrick began racing modifieds in the early 1960s. While fielding a car with driver Ray Hendrick (no relation), the team won races throughout Virginia at such tracks as South Boston, Martinsville and Richmond.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-2-2004)