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Prep Roundup
Columnists Brian Meadows Brad NormanMembersLocal Connection› Iredell County Young Athletes Association› South Iredell Athletics Association › SHS athletics › WIHS athletics › NIHS athletics › SIHS athletics › LNHS athletics Syndicate RSSAP NASCAR NASCAR Features A look at this year's schedule A look at this year's drivers Differences between stock car and open-wheel racing NASCAR Research & Development Petty Enterprises splitter testing Aerodynamic testing in Concord's wind tunnel Top 10 moments in Daytona history Site StatisticsThis page has been viewed 801121 timesPage rendered in 0.1943 seconds Total Stories: 2136 Total Comments: 34 Most Recent Entry: 08/15/2008 01:53 pm Most Recent Comment on: 04/17/2008 11:54 pm Most Recent Visitor on: 05/23/2012 12:05 am |
• Racing
2007 Oct-17
Hyde receives Golden Wrench“Folks,’’ assured Mike Joy, who stepped in for a second straight time to serve as this year’s induction ceremony’s master of ceremonies, “you can’t make this stuff up. It really happens.” Harry Lee Hyde penned a new chapter in the proceedings, tying in stories about growing up as the son of a master car mechanic who would go on to be credited as one helping give the sport of NASCAR a new look through organizing what have developed into the championship team at Hendrick Motorsports. “One thing I learned,’’ offered Hyde, “as did a lot of other of us kids in the garage, was how to duck. When dad got mad, you knew it. He made sure of that.” In addition to the son, other family members and a host of personalities in the sport were also on hand during the festivities. Among those on hand at the gathering once again held in the Charles Mack Citizen Center in downtown Mooresville were several other past recipients of the Golden Wrench Award that serves to recognize those who have made major contributions to the sport of auto racing. The late Harry Hyde definitely fit that bill. He emerged as a leading crew chief in NASCAR stock car racing in the 1960’s through the 1980’s. A native of Kentucky, Hyde learned the mechanic trade while in the Army before returning home following service in World War II to open an auto repair shop. He also dabbled in racing as a driver before following his true calling of serving as one working on cars instead of racing them. It didn’t take him long to make his mark. By the early 1970’s, he was part of a team that won nearly 30 races over a three-season span. In 1971, Hyde was selected as Mechanic of the Year and was inducted into the Mechanics Hall of Fame following a season in which his team won 11 of 47 races run. That same year, Hyde was part of a team that set 28 world speed records for different distances during a trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats. Several of those speed standards still exist today. From 1971-77, Hyde spearheaded pit row success with such renown drivers as Dave Marcis, Neil Bonnett, and Buddy Baker. It wasn’t until 1984, though, when he really began to make a major move. Hyde was hired then by Rick Hendrick to help start a NASCAR team. Together with the team owner and several others, Hyde helped build the beginning of what today is known as Hendrick Motorsports. While at Hendrick, Hyde was paired first with driver Geoff Bodine and then with Tim Richmond. The latter was considered too hard to tame and few thought the young brash pilot and the seasoned veteran Hyde would ever co-exist successfully. The pair proved many wrong, teaming for nine wins in 37 races. Many also believe it was the basis of this relationship that led to Hyde’s character being the one used as the pit boss in the racing theme movie “Days of Thunder.” Hyde , who retired in 1992, passed away in 1996, but his efforts live on through the continued success of the Hendrick Motorsports organization. His race shop is still a part of the team’s facility, and a road within the complex is now known as Hyde’s Way. Prior to Harry Lee Hyde stepping up to receive the award in his father’s absence, Deb Williams, currently the Director of Public Media Relations at Mooresville-based Penske Racing South, served as official presenter. “I just want to thank everybody here,’’ stressed Harry Lee Hyde, “for these kind words. He had a lot of help to get to where he was. Dad was proud to be an American, and he was an innovator. I’m proud to be his son.” Hyde becomes the latest recipient of the Snap-On Golden Wrench Award. Other honorees include Dale Inman, Leonard Wood, Smokey Yunick, Maurice Petty, Buddy Parrott, Robert Yates and Waddell Wilson.
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