Hendrick team's plane crashes on way to race
Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 5:09 pm
Hendrick airplane was on way to Martinsville race
ESPN.com news services
MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- A plane carrying members of the Hendrick Motorsports organization crashed Sunday afternoon on its way to NASCAR's Nextel Cup race at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR officials confirmed.
Rick Hendrick, founder and owner of Hendrick Racing, was not on the plane. NBC 6 News TV in Charlotte, N.C., reported that John Hendrick, Ricky Hendrick and engine builder Randy Dorton were on the airplane, as were two pilots and five other passengers. John Hendrick is team owner Rick Hendrick's brother, while Ricky Hendrick is the owner's son. Dorton is the organization's chief engine builder.
There has been no confirmation on injuries or fatalities. Rick Hendrick owns the teams of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Terry Labonte and Brian Vickers in the Nextel Cup Series.
An FAA spokeswoman confirmed for the Charlotte Observer that a Beech 200, owned by the Hendrick Racing Team, left Concord (N.C.) Regional Airport and crashed about 10 miles west of Martinsville Speedway at about 12:30 p.m. ET.
Johnson won Sunday's Subway 500, his second straight Cup victory, but did not participate in any victory lane celebrations or interviews. His teammate Gordon did not meet with the media, either.
NASCAR has spoken with team owner Rick Hendrick, Hunter said, but he added that no other details about who was on the plane, where it disappeared or what may have preceded the loss of contact were immediately available.
"We're working very closely with members of the Hendrick organization," Hunter said. "We're just saying extra prayers right now.''
NASCAR learned of the plane's disappearance during the race and withheld the information from the Hendrick drivers until afterward, Hunter said. All the Hendrick drivers were summoned to the NASCAR hauler immediately after the race and Johnson was excused from Victory Lane.
