NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick spotted testing at Mooresville Dragway

There’s always been a connection between drag racing and the thousand pound gorilla that is NASCAR, it’s just long been a subtle one.  Many of the crew members, engine shop, and other employees have had roots in the sport, but the big names, the stars – whether interested or not – just didn’t get involved.  Be it time, money, or just not wanting to get mauled each time they went to the drag strip, they had their reasons.  Earlier this year, we saw former Cup champ Kurt Busch jump in the ring by not just piddling around at the track, but actually entering Super Gas at the NHRA Gatornationals.

Now the most successful team owner in the Cup garage, Rick Hendrick, is acting upon his enjoyment of our straight line sport.  Last season, Rick showed up at Concord’s zMAX Dragway with a late model, F-Body Camaro to make some passes, to the surprise of many. It was then announced this off-season that he was having a brand spankin’ new 2010 Camaro built to go out and have a little fun in.  Earlier this week, Hendrick, along with Dale Earnhardt Jr. crew chief and drag racer Lance McGrew and other Hendrick Motorsports took over Moorseville Dragway to do a little test and tune.  A poster over at Yellow Bullet was kind enough to grab some photos of the events for all to see.

This particular Camaro has an LS-based 427 cubic inch motor with EFI and a dry shot of nitrous.  Hendrick went a 5.42 at 133 miles per hour, and had reportedly run mid 9’s in the quarter previously.  The new Camaro under construction will borrow some of the tech from Rick’s cup engine shop, as it will have a 417-inch RO7 NASCAR engine topped with two 4 barrels and backed by a 3-speed automatic.  An individual with the stature of Mr. Hendrick being involved is certainly a great thing for our sport. He brings press, spectator crossover, and an added level of credibility for drag racing. With all of his accomplishments, its hard to imagine that he’d have any interest in dominating or even competing in any of the grass roots heads up racing series.