History

Kara Hendrick began racing at the age of 9. At the age of 22, she had been racing professional for six years and was the most successful female driver in USAC history.

Racing Accomplishments

• She won numerous titles and a National Grand Championship while racing Quarter Midgets
• In 1981, she followed her brother, Kenny, into Three Quarter Midget racing. A year later, she was given the opportunity to drive for Tony Porto and began racing his signature pink and white #7 Three Quarter Midget car
• Became the third woman to ever win a USAC Midget Race when she won two Three-Quarter main events in 1999.
• Placed second in the 1989 Western States Three-Quarter Midget point race, becoming the highest-ranked driver in USAC history
• Placed 10th in the 1990 Wester States Three-Quarter Midget series three second place and three third place finishes.
• Set Cajon Speedway track speed record with a 15.75 second Midget run on October 5th, 1991. During the race she was tragically killed.

Awards & Recognitions

• The United States Auto Club (USAC) established the Kara Hendrick Spirit Award in 2003 and is granted annually in the Women's Circle Foundation Awards Celebration to a young female racer who shows the same determination, driving ability and character Hendrick displayed during her racing career. Past honorees include Erin Crocker (2005), Melanie Troxel (2006) and Stephanie Mockler (2007).
• The Women in the Women's Circle Driving Academy awards the Kari Hendrick Memorial Scholarship to a deserving young woman driver who demonstrates the same potential for success because of their commitment and passion for racing.
• The Quarter Midget Club of America honors Hendrick each October with a Kara Hendrick Memorial Race.
• Lyn St. James (one of the top Female Athletes of the Century - Sports Illustrated), noted in a column, "Standing on the shoulders of Giants," that she was so impressed when she first met Kara and noting her desire to eventually race at the Indy 500, placed a pink heart with Kara's name on it during her racing of the Indy 500 in 1992. It was her way of getting Kara to run the Indy 500. In addition, she created a Kara Hendrick Scholarship at her annual driver development program as a way to highlight a special talent and continue Kara's legacy, and also tell a story of what can happen.
• The Kara Hendrick Memorial Foundation, started by her parents, Art and Renee, in 1993, continues to help young racers.

The vehicle shown above is Kara's TQ Midget Chassis restored by her brother Kenny along with many friends:

• Gary Schroeder/Gordon Schroeder Steering
• K&N Air Filters
• Andy Hillenburg
• Less Performance
• Billy Bello/Bello Motorsports
• Rick Russell/Second Chance Race Parts
• Gary Huffman/Calico Castings
• Glen Sanders/Sanders Engineering
• Brad Noffsinger/Ascot Chassis
• Gene Faola/Radial Bearing
• Bobby Seimore
• Harold McDougal
• Mark Daniels
• West Evans
• Champion Tire and Wheels
• Hoosier Racing Tires
• Tim Koboch/TK Prep

Just For Fun

How fast can you build this car?