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Intensively caring for children in memory of this...

Rick and Linda Hendrick with Emily Maynard at the Grand Opening
of the Levine Children's Hopsital

It doesn't officially open it's doors until  next month, but the Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, N.C. held their grand opening last week. The new 11-story, 234-bed kid-friendly facility will be the largest children's hospital between Atlanta and Washington, D.C. and will offer more comprehensive pediatric medical services previously not available in Charlotte.

Several independent donations made the new facility possible, including a three-million dollar gift from NASCAR owner Rick and wife Linda Hendrick. In recognition of the gift, Levine Children's Hospital will name its pediatric intensive-care facilities in honor of the Hendricks' late son, Ricky Hendrick.

The Ricky Hendrick Centers for Intensive Care, encompassing the sixth floor of the new hospital on the campus of Carolinas Medical Center, will house the facility's pediatric intensive-care unit and the region's first pediatric cardiovascular intensive-care unit. Lauded by planners as the hospital's "heart and soul," the Centers will treat the most critically ill and injured children from across the region. The Centers will feature a five-room sleep inn for parents, two private family waiting areas, a large open waiting space and a state-of-the-art business lounge.

Quoting this...
Rick Hendrick: "Our son placed a great importance on doing one's part to help others. He had a passion for making a difference in people's lives, which is exactly what Levine Children's Hospital will do for families of this region."

This... is Ricki Hendrick

Ricki Hendrick in her custom Hendrick Motorsports overalls (October 2007)

Josephine Riddick "Ricki" Hendrick is the daughter of the late NASCAR driver and owner Joseph Riddick "Ricky" Hendrick and his fiancée, Emily Maynard. 

Ricki's mom found out she was pregnant in October of 2004, just five days after Ricky was tragically killed in a plane crash en route to Martinsville Speedway. Ricki was born June 29, 2005 at 2:49 AM, ET.

Currently, Ricki attends preschool and, in her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her cousins, Kate and Hendrick Carlson. Mom treasures their intimate relationship with the extended Hendrick family. RIcki is also a huge fan of Elmo and was very excited to see her favorite muppet in concert in 2006.

In December 2005, Ricki made her first trip to New York City for NASCAR's Champions week with her mom and Grandpa Rick and Grandma Linda Hendrick.  While there, she got to see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center and meet Santa Claus! Last February, Ricki attended her first speedweeks in Daytona and made her first trip to Disney World.

Ricki and mom currently live in Mooresville, N.C. while they wait for their house on Lake Norman to be completed.

Flickr*: Photo album

* Note: Additional photos tagged 'exclusive' are available to Answer this... Flickr friends only.

This post was updated Oct. 14, 2007.

This... was Ricky Hendrick

Joseph Riddick Hendrick IV
April 2, 1980 - October 24, 2004

Ricky Hendrick (Photo Credit: Autostock)

Ricky Hendrick slideshow

Ricky Hendrick, son of Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and co-owner of two NASCAR teams, was tragically killed in a plane crash with nine others en route to the Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 24, 2004.   The other passengers on board were Ricky's uncle John Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports president; Jennifer and Kimberly Hendrick, daughters of John Hendrick; Randy Dorton, Hendrick Motorsports engine director; Joe Jackson, sponsor representative; Scott Lathram, employee of NASCAR driver Tony Stewart; Elizabeth Morrison, co-pilot; Richard Tracy, pilot; and Jeff Turner, Hendrick Motorsports general manager.

Ricky had retired after a short NASCAR driving career following a wreck in which he sustained physical injuries and mental anguish which he thought caused him to "lose his edge" as a driver.  He put his energy into the business of racing and at the end of his life-cut-short, he was co-owner of two NASCAR teams.

At the time of his death, Ricky had been engaged for six months to his girlfriend of four years, Emily Maynard, and, unbenowst to him, was to become a father.  On October 29, 2004, just five days following the crash and one day after Rick and Linda Hendrick buried their son, Emily learned she was pregnant with her bethrothed's child.  That night she went with her mom to visit Ricky's parents.  She was unsure how they would receive the news.

Rick Hendrick: "At the lowest time of our life, it was like a miracle that happened for us because we get a chance to have a piece of Ricky left... I can't describe how happy and how excited we are.  We can't wait to see that baby's eyes. When she told us, it was hard to even believe.  It was like God had given us back something.  We had lost so much." [Scenedaily.com]

Ricky's daughter, Josephine Riddick "Ricki" Hendrick was born on June 29, 2005.

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Official website of this...
HendrickMotorSports.com

Headlines on this...
Ricky's Daughter, Josephine Riddick "Ricki" Hendrick is born - June 29, 2005
Hendrick family races past tragedy but doesn't forget - USA Today - May 26, 2005
Hendrick Motorsports Driver Kyle Busch Breaks Record Previously Set By the Late Ricky Hendrick - Racing Milestones - May 23, 2005
Hendrick mom has faith, no regrets Charlotte Observer - Nov. 9, 2004
Racers return to the track to let the healing process begin The Virginian Pilot - Oct. 30, 2004
Hendricks remembered for giving to others AP - Oct. 28, 2004
All 10 bodies located from Hendrick plane crash AP - Oct. 27, 2004
NASCAR mourns Hendrick Motorsports plane crash victims Baptist Press - Oct. 27, 2004
Ricky Hendrick's Accomplishments Will Leave Lasting Legacy Inside The Pit Box - Oct. 27, 2004
Hendrick's Former Competitors Remember Him speed51.com - Oct. 2004
A Nightmare We Can't Wake Up From SpeedTV.com - Oct. 25, 2004
Giving up racing was supposed to save Hendrick son AP - Oct, 25, 2004
Hendrick's son was rising in racing management USATODAY.com - Oct. 25, 2004
NTSB examining cause of Hendrick plane crash SI.com - Oct. 25, 2004
Plane Crash Kills Son Of NASCAR Owner, 9 Others WXII2.com - Oct. 24, 2004
Hendrick Motorsports Plane Missing About - Oct. 24, 2004
Hendrick opens first Segway dealership in the state Charlotte Business Journal - Aug. 30, 2004
Freestyle Motorcross Has Its Own Vocabulary LowesMotorSpeedway.com - July 22, 2004
Younger Hendrick makes a good choice in Vickers  CBSSportsLine.com - Dec. 24, 2003
Ricky Hendrick also a champ out of the car ThatsRacin.com - Nov. 16, 2003
Younger Hendrick enjoying role as owner NASCAR.com - June 30, 2003
Partnership paying dividends for Hendrick and Vickers HendrickMotorsports.com Apr. 21, 2003
Rick Hendrick Launches New Venture HendrickMotorsports.com - Apr. 1, 2003
Ricky Hendrick to put Vickers in Busch Series car AP - Dec. 9, 02
Hendrick adjusting to life outside the cockpit NASCAR.com - Oct. 30, 2002
Ricky Hendrick Steps Out of No. 5 Chevrolet HendrickMotorsports.com - Oct. 10, 2002
Ricky Hendrick ends driving career NASCAR.com - Oct. 10, 2002
Winston Cup: Hendrick will attempt The Rock NASCAR.com - Sept. 23, 2002
A First for Hendrick at Darlington HendrickMotorsports.com - Aug. 31, 2002
Hendrick to Honor Students Before IRP Race HendrickMotorsports.com - Aug. 1, 2002
Hendrick gets clearance for Richmond NASCAR.com - May 1, 2002
Hendrick out six weeks; Hornaday to sub NASCAR.com - Mar. 5, 2002
Hendrick House Divided RacingOne - Mar. 31, 2002
Ricky Hendrick Release From Hospital Racingwest.com - Mar. 8, 2002
Hendrick won't miss Darlington despite injury NASCAR.com - Mar. 2, 2002
Ricky Hendrick hurt in Turn 1 wreck ThatsRacin.com - Mar. 2, 2002 
Ricky Hendrick picks up first win Hot Rod - July 7, 2001

Photos of this...
tallglassofmilk's Ricky Hendrick slideshow
team_gmac_racing's Photos - Ricky Tribute
Devilfinder Image Browser - Ricky Hendrick
Ricky Hendrick photo gallery by CIA Stock Photo
Ricky Hendrick 1999 Images @ Gordononline.com
Ricky Hendrick @ Motorsport.com: Photos channel

Interviews/chats with this...
Ricky Hendrick Q&A RacingOne - Oct. 12, 2002
Conversation: Ricky Hendrick NASCAR.com - June 18, 2002
Racers-chat.com June 12, 2002

Driver stats on this...
Ricky Hendrick @ NASCAR.com
Ricky Hendrick's Busch Series races @ Racing-Reference.com

Personal info on this...
RickyHendrick.net
Ricky's Bio!!!!! teamgmaconline.com
Bio:  Ricky Hendrick NASCAR.com

Discussion groups on this...
[email protected]

Leave your thoughts with this...
Guest Book - Ricky Hendrick Charlotte.com