CONCORD, N.C. (April 24, 2025) – This weekend, all four Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet race cars will carry a memorial decal at Talladega Superspeedway honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Jerry Petty. A pioneering neurosurgeon and trusted medical consultant to countless drivers and teams, Dr. Petty was a beloved figure in the NASCAR community.
“I’m heartbroken by the loss of my dear friend, Dr. Jerry Petty,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “For so many of us in racing and beyond, Jerry was more than a doctor – he was the person you called, day or night, whenever you needed help. It didn’t matter if you were a superstar driver or someone behind the scenes. He treated everyone with the same care, compassion and respect. That’s just who he was.
“Jerry was a true pioneer, especially in the treatment of concussions, and his work helped protect the health and careers of countless athletes. But what really made him special was his heart. He never sought the spotlight, but there’s a reason NASCAR honored him with the Bill France Award of Excellence. That says everything about how deeply he was valued and how rare his contributions were.
“Personally, I cherished our friendship. He and his wife Audrey were best friends with my parents – they had breakfast every Saturday morning like clockwork. Jerry was someone I trusted with my life and my family’s lives. He brought wisdom, kindness and a calming presence into every room. We’ve lost an icon in medicine, but also one of the finest human beings you could ever hope to know. On behalf of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, our thoughts are with his children, grandchildren and everyone who loved him. Jerry Petty made the world better – and safer – for all of us.”
Source: Hendrick Motorsports
