“RIP”: NASCAR World Grieves for Rick Hendrick’s Pain on 20th Anniversary of HMS’ Darkest Day in 40-Year History

Twenty years ago, the NASCAR world was shaken by a tragedy that took the lives of key members of Hendrick Motorsports. On October 24, 2004, a Beechcraft King Air 200 carrying ten passengers, including John Hendrick, the team’s president, and his family, crashed into the Bull Mountain region in Virginia while en route to Martinsville for a race. The crash, caused by a missed approach in foggy conditions and pilot error, left no survivors, and this became a moment that the NASCAR community will never forget.

The Hendrick Motorsports plane had missed its first landing attempt at Martinsville/Blue Ridge Airport due to poor visibility. The crew failed to climb to the assigned altitude, and the plane veered off course before tragically colliding with the mountain. The crash was later attributed to the pilots not properly executing the instrument approach and not using available navigation aids effectively. Now that it’s been exactly 20 years since the incident, Hendrick Motorsports remembered their lost members by sharing a post on their social media.

The Hendrick Motorsport 2004 tragedy

On the 20th anniversary of the devastating day, Hendrick Motorsports honored the lost members in a post on social media. A picture of all the members who are now in a peaceful place was shared on X and Reddit and that’s where fans started to share their regards.

Tragic could not even begin to explain the situation when the team heard the news about the plane crash. Rick Hendrick was the most devastated, as he not only had his team on the flight but also several family members. The loss hit the Hendrick Motorsports as a whole. Along with John Hendrick, the team lost Ricky Hendrick, a former driver and rising executive, chief engine builder Randy Dorton, and other critical team members. The wreckage wasn’t found until the next day, leaving loved ones and the entire NASCAR community in deep mourning.

In the aftermath of the crash, Hendrick Motorsports implemented significant changes to its aviation practices. They added Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems to all aircraft and created new positions like aviation director and safety program manager to oversee operations and prevent future tragedies.

Although NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson won the race in Martinsville on that fateful day, the celebration was overshadowed by the somber news. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was asked not to do donuts after the race and just bring the car home.

The NASCAR community came together to honor those lost, with moments of silence held at races and tributes on the team’s race cars. Hendrick’s cars proudly displayed the victims’ names and the words “Always in our hearts” as a heartfelt reminder of those they had lost.

Fans share their love for Hendrick Motorsports on a difficult anniversary day

One fan shared how fresh the event still feels: “Still remember that broadcast like it was yesterday. Devastating.” That feeling of being hit hard by the news is something many fans can relate to, even after all these years. Everything about the incident was extremely tragic and when the announcement was made on the broadcast, many fans broke down to hear what one of the top teams was going through.

One memory in particular stood out, with a fan recalling how they experienced the news as a young NASCAR fan: “I’ll never forget when it happened. I was 10 years old and a new fan, and when they talked about it on the broadcast, they never referred to it as a crash; they quoted it as they lost the plane, and my 10-year-old thinking was that well, they’ll find it. RIP.” The innocence of that moment shows how deeply the event impacted fans of all ages, especially those just discovering the sport.

Another fan couldn’t believe how quickly time had passed, saying: “Jesus Christ, it’s been 20 years?” It’s a sentiment that resonates with many—how something so tragic can feel so recent, yet two decades have slipped by.

The emotional connection to the lost team members remains strong. As one fan put it: “In loving memory all the way…” It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that the NASCAR community continues to honor those who were lost.

Lastly, some fans are reflecting on the legacy of that day and the visuals that accompanied it. One noted: “It’s strange that they still use this graphic, given how quickly it had to be put together so long ago.” It’s a reminder that while the event may have happened quickly, its effects and the ways it’s remembered have become a lasting part of NASCAR history.

With that said, do you have a few words to share about the lost members of Hendrick Motorsports? You can share them in the comments below.