HENDRICK ENSHRINED IN NASCAR HALL OF FAME -- AT LAST

 Again … in no particular order …

“MR. MODIFIED,” the late RAY HENDRICK, finally 

was inducted into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame last week … 

and becomes only the eighth driver who specialized in 

modified/sportsman competition to have the honor since 

the initial class in 2010. He should have been the first.

The native Richmonder won more than 700 races … 

according to the NASCAR news release but probably 

won a lot more … from 1950 through 1988 … running 

primarily in the mid-Atlantic area at Southside Speedway, 

South Boston Speedway and points north.

There was no one better. Or, intimidating.

Had Richmond’s bid to build the hall of fame been 

accepted (over Charlotte, N.C.), there seems little doubt 

Hendrick would have been enshrined much sooner.

ACC COMMISSIONER JIM PHILLIPS says Notre 

Dame has patched up its differences with the league after 

AD PETE BEVACQUA accused it of creating 

“irreconcilable damage” over what he thought was the 

conference pushing Miami over the Fighting Irish for the 

post-season playoff.

Phillips denied it … even though Miami won the teams’ 

meeting. The Hurricanes wound up losing to No. 1 and 

unbeaten (16-0) Indiana in the national championship 

game.

No immediate word from Bevacqua on whether he agrees 

with Phillips ,,, that all is well between Notre Dame 

which is a member of the ACC in all sports but football 

(independent) and ice hockey (Big 10).

DIEGO PAVIA, the Vanderbilt QB who told Heisman 

Trophy voters they made a mistake, choosing Indiana’s

FERNANDO MENDOZA over him, turned out to be 5-

9 7/8, 201 pounds when measured at the Senior Bowl. 

Like most college players who tend to be listed larger 

than they really are, he was rated an over-sized 6-2, 220 

for the Commodores.

REMINDER THAT Colonial Downs will increase racing 

days to 48, starting with the three-day boutique meet 

March 13-15 featuring the Virginia Derby … once again 

on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (May 2): On FanDuel 

TV Sunday (Feb. 1) were 2024 Colonial jockey champion

 BEN CURTIS winning his ninth race in 22 starts at the 

Fairgrounds in New Orleans; several-times CD riding 

titlist HORACIO KARAMANOS was aboard an also-

ran in Race 8 at Gulfstream Park; and that was race caller

 JASON BEEM’s signature “THE RACE IS ON!” at 

Tampa Bay Downs … where he splits his year with the 

New Kent County track.

HO-HUM. SOME things never change. The NHL Buffalo 

Sabres sent ZACHARY JONES back to AHL Rochester 

Sunday, and once again the defenseman from Richmond, 

called up Jan. 23, didn’t appear in a game. He still leads 

the Americans in scoring with 37 points (31 assists) in 32 

games.

FORMER WASHINGTON Commanders’ OC KLIFF 

KINGSBURY, who was so instrumental in the quick 

development of JAYDEN DANIELS from college-to-pro 

quarterback, could be next offensive coordinator with the 

New York Football Giants … and new head coach JOHN 

HARBAUGH. Kingsbury would seem an ideal choice to 

work with talented but still raw QB JAXSON DART.

BAD NEWS. The NFL purchased 10 per cent of ESPN, 

which now takes over The NFL Network which, to this 

point, has been watchable. 

To think the federal government had to give its blessing 

… AND DID!

Think about it.

Until next time ...