The prestigious North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame recently held a ceremony to honor the achievements of NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick . Held near the NC Auto Racing Walk of Fame in downtown Mooresville , NC , the ceremony recognized Hendrick ’ s drag racing past and the empire he created in the stock-car world .

While most fans only know of Hendrick ’ s achievements as a hugely successful NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner , he actually started his motorsports career as a racer on the North Carolina drag boat racing scene . He later moved on to NASCAR competition with driver Geoff Bodine and hall-offame drag racer Richard Broome calling the shots . Hendrick made a name for himself in the circle-track world , but his collection of historic drag cars make it clear that he ’ s still a drag racer at heart . His list of restored legendary cars include Lee Shephard ’ s Pro Stocker , the Snake and Mongoose Funny Cars , Darrell and Jerry Gwynn ’ s last Top Fuel dragster and AA / Fuel Altered , and the Sox & Martin ’ 68 ‘ Cuda . The Hendrick collection also includes multiple modern COPO Camaros .

Hendrick graciously and humbly accepted the Jeff Byrd Memorial Lifetime Achievement

Award , named after one of the sports marketing directors at R . J . Reynolds who helped bring Winston backing to NASCAR stock car racing and NHRA and IHRA drag racing . Byrd was also instrumental in the evolution of Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway . His son , Christian , is the general manager at zMAX Dragway .

Also honored at the ceremony with a spot on the NC Auto Racing Walk of Fame were NASCAR team owner Richard Childress and Don Miller , founder of the NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame .

Under the guidance of executive director Jim Turner , the NC Drag Racing Hall of Fame has grown from a group of five inductees – Don Carlton , Sox & Martin , Alan Starr , and Danny Johnson – to having a permanent position in Don Miller ’ s NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame , also in Mooresville . The group will honor its 11th class in February of 2017 that will include : Terry Adams , Jean Howard , Frank Teague , and the one and only Richard Petty . Also honored will be Thomas Pope with the Lifetime Achievement Award , and David Bishop with the Pioneer Award . For more info about either group , please check out the website : www . ncarhof . com .

Measuring for a window net is not as difficult as one may think . The new Stroud Safety instructional video “ How to Measure for Window Nets , Wheelie Bar and Door Nets ” features easy-to-follow instructions and suggestions for getting it right the first time . The video also includes helpful advice and procedures to fit your vehicle with wheelie bar and door nets . Check it out at : https :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = bFMDrn6uUg0

The Stroud Safety YouTube channel also features instructional videos on how to pack a drag chute , remove and install a drag chute launcher bag , remove and install a pilot chute and deployment bag , and how to replace a release loop kit . Stroud will soon be releasing a video on how to measure for standard and custom fit firesuits .

Stroud Safety has been supplying competitive drivers with drag chutes and launchers , seat belts , window nets , ballistic blankets and diapers , fire suits , safety apparel , fire suppression kits , and more for over 26 years . Stroud re-certifies all their SFI rated products and specializes in custom design applications for many of their products .

Call 800-554-4648 for more information and a free catalog , or visit www . stroudsafety . com and follow on Facebook at www . facebook . com / stroudsafety

64 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 114