Mik Posted October 24, 2004 Report Posted October 24, 2004 MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- A plane owned by the Hendrick Motorsports organization crashed Sunday on its way to a NASCAR race, killing all 10 people aboard, federal officials said. Eight passengers and two pilots died in the crash, a spokesman with the National Transportation Safety Board said. A spokesman for a funeral home where the bodies were being taken said the dead included four relatives of team owner Rick Hendrick, including his son Ricky and brother John. The Beech 200 was on its way to NASCAR's Nextel Cup race at Martinsville Speedway when it went down, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The plane took off from Concord, N.C., and crashed in the Bull Mountain area about seven miles west of the Martinsville airport at about 12:30 p.m. ET. NBC 6 News TV in Charlotte, N.C., reported that Hendrick Racing Team engine builder Randy Dorton also was on the airplane. NASCAR has spoken with Rick Hendrick, NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter told The Associated Press. "We're working very closely with members of the Hendrick organization," Hunter said. "We're just saying extra prayers right now." Rick Hendrick owns the teams of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Terry Labonte and Brian Vickers in the Nextel Cup Series. 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 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. Hendrick has been on a season-long celebration of its 20th anniversary in NASCAR's top series. The organization has won five of the series' top titles, three truck series titles, and one Busch series crown. The team has more than 100 Cup series wins, making Hendrick just the second team owner in NASCAR's modern era to surpass that mark. Hendrick employs more than 400 workers at the Charlotte-based Motorsports compound, which includes race shops and a 15,000-square-foot museum and team store. He recently began grooming his son, Ricky, for a larger role with the company. Ricky began his career driving a Busch car for his father, but retired in 2002 because of a shoulder injury suffered in a racing accident. His father then made him the owner of the Busch car Vickers drove to the series championship last season, and Kyle Busch currently pilots. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. I'm not Nascar fan, but this is pretty big news. Has something like this ever happened before (a bus or plane crash?) nothing is coming to mind.
Dr. Tyler; Captain America Posted October 24, 2004 Report Posted October 24, 2004 Has something like this ever happened before (a bus or plane crash?) nothing is coming to mind.
Mik Posted October 24, 2004 Author Report Posted October 24, 2004 Shut the fuck up, grammar nazi. I was distracted.
the pinjockey Posted October 24, 2004 Report Posted October 24, 2004 Alan Kulwicki - helicopter crash early 90s (was reigning Winston Cup champion at the time) Davey Allison - helicopter crash same time frame as Kulwicki (appeared to be a future champion) Payne Stewart - plane crash
Mik Posted October 24, 2004 Author Report Posted October 24, 2004 Has an organized sports team from one of the 4 major sports ever had a crash? There is one that I vaguely remember, but I can't place it.
Guest The Shadow Behind You Posted October 24, 2004 Report Posted October 24, 2004 This is a sad moment for Nascar, it's even more bittersweet considering Jimmie Johnson, driver of Hendrick Motorsports won today's race.
Guest The Shadow Behind You Posted October 24, 2004 Report Posted October 24, 2004 Has an organized sports team from one of the 4 major sports ever had a crash? There is one that I vaguely remember, but I can't place it. Not a team but some players have, Munson of The Yankees come to mind. I believe The Marshall Football team plane crash consisting of the coches.
Bored Posted October 24, 2004 Report Posted October 24, 2004 The entire Marshall University football team was killed in a plane crash back in 1970.
The Czech Republic Posted October 24, 2004 Report Posted October 24, 2004 Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper
Guest The Shadow Behind You Posted October 24, 2004 Report Posted October 24, 2004 Let's not turn this into a "Who was famous and died in a plane crash" list. Let's respect the ones who just died.
The Czech Republic Posted October 24, 2004 Report Posted October 24, 2004 Sorry. I was listening to "American Pie."
Mik Posted October 24, 2004 Author Report Posted October 24, 2004 I read the one I was thinking of elsewhere... The Oklahoma State Men's BB team.
Kahran Ramsus Posted October 25, 2004 Report Posted October 25, 2004 Let's not turn this into a "Who was famous and died in a plane crash" list. Let's respect the ones who just died. I'm sure none of us mean any disrespect in just stating facts.
AboveAverage484 Posted October 25, 2004 Report Posted October 25, 2004 Alan Kulwicki - helicopter crash early 90s (was reigning Winston Cup champion at the time) Davey Allison - helicopter crash same time frame as Kulwicki (appeared to be a future champion) Payne Stewart - plane crash Kulwicki died in a plane crash.
Slayer Posted October 25, 2004 Report Posted October 25, 2004 One month before the Marshall crash, Wichita State lost half its team, its coach and some fans in a plane crash (they didn't lose the whole team because there were two planes and one arrived safe). One of the survivors of the crash was my junior high gym teacher
TheBigSwigg Posted October 25, 2004 Report Posted October 25, 2004 Alan Kulwicki - helicopter crash early 90s (was reigning Winston Cup champion at the time) Davey Allison - helicopter crash same time frame as Kulwicki (appeared to be a future champion) Payne Stewart - plane crash Kulwicki died in a plane crash. I thought Davey Allison died in a crash on the track.
Guest Mr. Wrestling Posted October 25, 2004 Report Posted October 25, 2004 Alan Kulwicki - helicopter crash early 90s (was reigning Winston Cup champion at the time) Davey Allison - helicopter crash same time frame as Kulwicki (appeared to be a future champion) Payne Stewart - plane crash Kulwicki died in a plane crash. I thought Davey Allison died in a crash on the track. Allison died on a helicopter flight in bound to the Talladega Superspeedway Kulwicki died on a helicopter flight in bound to the Bristol Motor Speedway Both in the year 1993 Both were top title contenders in 1992 It's customary for drivers to ride in helicopters while their teams take airplanes. I really feel bad for Rick Hendrick, he lost his father 3 months ago. He's now his brother, nieces and son. Not to mention a valuable asset to his team in Randy Dorton. Poor Rick.
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