Denny Hamlin recently expressed his admiration for Ray Hendrick as the modified stock car driver vies for induction into the 2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Joe Gibbs Racing star highlighted his personal connection to Hendrick’s family and described the legendary racer as someone he “idolized growing up.”
Ray Hendrick and Hamlin both hail from Virginia, where Hendrick’s family established a formidable reputation in short-track racing. Known as “Mr. Modified,” Hendrick amassed around 700 wins, primarily in modified stock car racing, and remains the all-time victory leader at Martinsville Speedway with 20 wins from 1963 to 1975. This dominance earned him a spot among NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998.
Hendrick’s son, Roy Lee Hendrick, carried forward the family tradition by winning his first championship at Southside Speedway. This track was especially significant to Hamlin, who considers it his “home track” from his early days competing in the Mini Stock division. Hamlin’s race number 11 pays homage to the iconic “Flying 11” that the Hendrick father-son duo helped popularize in the racing community.
Assessing Ray Hendrick’s Hall of Fame Candidacy
Ray Hendrick has been nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame ballot for the second year running, with his previous nomination occurring shortly before the passing of his son, Roy Lee Hendrick, last year. When asked about Hendrick’s qualifications for the Hall of Fame, Hamlin reflected on his connections and Hendrick’s impact on short-track racing.
“I knew his son more more so than than anyone else. From watching him, he was one of the guys that I kind of really idolized growing up….I’ve got to meet his family and whatnot, and so it’s just a really historic family and they’ve been in the racing industry for generations now….The Flying 11 was something that was so iconic for so long. The time Ray showed up, he was just the guy to beat when it came to short track racing.”
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
Aside from his NASCAR Hall of Fame nomination, Ray Hendrick was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2017, Hamlin honored Hendrick by running a tribute paint scheme inspired by the famed “Flying 11” at Darlington Raceway, underscoring the enduring legacy of the Hendrick family within the racing world.
Tribute at Darlington: Hamlin’s 2017 Southern 500 Victory in the ‘Flying 11’ Livery
In the 2017 Bojangles’ Southern 500 held at Darlington Raceway, Denny Hamlin sported the classic “Flying 11” paint scheme as a tribute to Ray Hendrick. Driving his No. 11 Toyota Camry, Hamlin dominated the race by leading 313 of the 367 laps before taking the checkered flag.
Following this impressive performance, Hamlin shared his thoughts about the significance of the paint scheme to his racing career and heritage.
“That’s as hard as I can drive. What can I say — it’s the ‘Flying 11.’ It means everything to me. I mean, as far as I’m concerned, this is a throwback to my history – this is for Ray Hendrick, Bugs Hairfield, Wayne Patterson, Eddie Johnson, the short track guys that I grew up watching,”
—Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver
This win marked Hamlin’s second victory in the 2017 Cup Series season and his second career win at Darlington, a track known as “The Lady in Black.” The homage to Hendrick and other Virginia short-track legends highlights the deep respect Hamlin holds for those who shaped the region’s racing culture.
The Enduring Impact of Ray Hendrick on NASCAR and Virginia Racing
Ray Hendrick’s career and family legacy continue to influence the sport, particularly in Virginia and among short-track racing enthusiasts. His record-setting achievements at Martinsville and his widespread success in the modified division cements his status as a key figure in stock car racing history. Denny Hamlin’s reverence for Hendrick and his tribute through both recognition and race paint schemes brings renewed attention to Hendrick’s lasting contributions.
With Hendrick’s nomination for the NASCAR Hall of Fame approaching again, Hamlin’s endorsement and personal connection underscore the significance of enshrining Hendrick alongside other legends. The recognition of Hendrick’s accomplishments not only honors a historic racing family but also inspires new generations to appreciate the roots of stock car racing in American motorsports.
