NASCAR Community Reacts to Hendrick Tragedy

OCTOBER 25, 2004 – The NASCAR community reacts to the crash of Hendrick Motorsports plane at Martinsville, VA., on Sunday, October 24.

Jeff Gordon, driver, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet:

"We are deeply saddened by this loss to the Hendrick Motorsports family and the racing community. Not only did we lose valuable members of our organization and the motorsports community, we lost friends.

"We thank all of you for keeping our families and friends in your thoughts and prayers. "

Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO:

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire NASCAR family go out to all the families affected by this accident. I am confident that the NASCAR community will rally to provide comfort and support during this trying time. We respectfully request that the privacy of all the grieving families be considered and respected.”

Tony Stewart regarding the loss of his friend and employee:

"Scott Lathram was a great friend, a respected employee and one of the best helicopter pilots in the country. Our trust and faith in him never wavered, because his commitment to service and safety was unmatched. He was also one of the most loyal people I've ever met, not just to me and my employees, but to his country.

"Scott was prepared to go back to Iraq, as his army reserve unit had been called up to active duty. I'll never forget him telling me that he had to return to Iraq. He was only about six months into his job here with me, and he was worried about making sure that I was all set before he had to go. I told him not to worry about me, that the most important thing for him was to look out for his wife and kids. But it just showed me how much Scott cared about everyone around him, especially when his immediate future meant participating in something that most of us will only see on television.

"And what I'll remember the most about Scott and probably miss the most was his sense of humor. No matter how bad a day you were having, a quick one-liner from Scott and the next thing you knew you were laughing. He turned bad days into good days and good days into great days.

"We've lost a really great person, and our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Tracey and their three kids.

"Our condolences also go out to the Hendrick family as they deal with this tragic loss."

Jack Roush:

“My heart and prayers go out to the Hendrick family and the families of all who lost their lives in this tragedy. Like the entire Hendrick organization, fans, followers and supporters, I too feel the tremendous loss.

Mark Martin:

“I was hoping never have to hear this again in my life time, I just feel so bad that it's unreal. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families of those involved in this terrible tragedy.”

Greg Biffle:

“I really don't have the words to express the sorrow I feel for Rick Hendrick, the entire Hendrick organization and the families and friends of those whose lives were taken by this tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

“I'd become very good friends over the years with many of those involved and I'm just heartbroken. I'm deeply saddened and I have an empty feeling inside of me, as does the entire NASCAR family. All of them will be greatly missed."

Matt Kenseth:

"I really don't know what to say, this is such a terrible tragedy. It's not only a tragedy for NASCAR, but it's a personal one for the Hendrick Family--Rick has been through a lot this year already and I think the best thing any of us can do right now is just pray for them. We all knew the people onboard and Randy Dorton has been a very close friend of mine. We just need to pray for everybody right now for what they're going through."

Kurt Busch:

"It's such an extremely unfortunate situation. It's certainly something that illustrates how close-knit the entire racing community really is, and right now we're all just thinking and praying for all of the families."

Carl Edwards:

"This is certainly a great tragedy not only for Hendrick Motorsports but for the entire sport. My thoughts and prayers go out to all my peers at Hendrick Motorsports and to all the family members and friends of each of the 10 individuals who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy."

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver, No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet:

“It’s hard to express how it feels to hear the news about the Hendrick plane crash. It’s like a hammer to the chest. It takes the wind out of you. The Hendricks are a great family and they’ve always been very generous to me and to everyone in NASCAR. It’s helpful to have a strong family to surround you, and I know the Hendricks are a great family. For me, being in the garage is like being surrounded by your closest friends and family, and it really helped me through some rough times. I’m sure Rick and all the families involved will receive the support they need from everyone in the NASCAR family.”

Kevin Harvick, driver, No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet:

"One thing that makes the sport of NASCAR so great is its sense of family. Despite the fact that there are many different organizations, teams, drivers, and sponsors we operate like one big community. This is never more evident than when tragedy strikes. On Sunday afternoon, we lost ten members of our NASCAR family. On behalf of myself, DeLana, and all of Kevin Harvick, Incorporated, we extend our deepest condolences to the families involved in this tragedy. You will be in our thoughts and prayers."

Michael Waltrip, driver, No. 15 NAPA Chevrolet:

"This is obviously a tragedy for the Hendrick family as well as the NASCAR family. I hope that all the Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Inc. fans will lend their prayers to strengthen all the families affected by this heartbreak. God has a plan for each of us and it is important during times like this that we rely on our faith."

Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing:

"It’s a tremendous loss to the Hendrick family, the Hendrick Motorsports organization and NASCAR as a whole. It’s really hard to imagine. We spend so much time together during the year that, when a tragedy like this strikes, it hits deep and it hits hard because we are so close to one another. We are like family and our thoughts and prayers go out to Rick and all of the families who lost loved ones."

Robin Braig, Daytona International Speedway President:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hendrick Motorsports, their family, friends and all those who have been touched by this tragedy. The Hendrick team has been instrumental in the growth and success of the sport and we are all saddened by this tragic incident."

KEN SCHRADER, Driver, BAM Racing:

“Ann and I have lost some great friends, and our hearts are broken for all of their families. While we are grateful for the time we had with them, we will miss them greatly. Through nine years of working for Rick Hendrick, his family became our family.

“It's incredibly hard right now; we just need to keep our thoughts and prayers with all of the families involved. As much as they did for our sport, it can't begin to compare with how they touched our lives.”

BETH ANN MORGENTHAU, Owner, BAM Racing:

“We were all shocked at the news Sunday, and certainly saddened. As the race progressed at Martinsville, it really began sinking in, and it was a horrible feeling. Tony and I, and everyone at BAM Racing, offers our prayers and support to the families and to the Hendrick organization.”

JOHN ANDRETTI, Driver, ppc Racing:

“I think everybody in the sport is in shock right now. We lost a lot of talented people, but we also lost of lot of really good people. This obviously affects Hendrick Motorsports but it affects all of us in motorsports when good people with great talents are taken away from you.

“Nancy and I are praying for the families and friends of those we lost, and we mourn with them.”

GREG SACKS, Driver/Owner, Daytona Speed, Inc.

“We are all family in this garage. You spend so much time together and so many people end up working together and some point or another, you just get to be that way. A single loss is incredibly hard but to lose 10 friends like this is just devastating.”