Page 8 - NM Spring 2018

funeral – many traveling long you were always greeted with that the largest privately held third-
distances to pay their respects to big Brett Henry smile whenever party logistics companies in the
this friend - including racers that you saw him. For the Henrys, it United States.
competed at the event in California has always been about family,
along with Brett. He is survived by regardless of what was involved. Knowing Brett as I did, I have no
his best friend and wife of 21 years, The family attended many events, doubt that he would say “the show
Laura; daughters, Crystal and Faith; with son Wyatt working in the must go on”, and the fuel altereds
son, Wyatt; parents Jim and Jan pits. Brett’s brother Brent was also did just that on the final day of
Henry; brother, Brent and his wife, involved in the racing operation – competition. With little additional
Kristy, and their three children. both in the pits and often driving news on Sunday about the severity
of his condition, the fuel altered
“Big Iron”, a ’65 Plymouth “cheater
The Henry family is a racing class finished their Chicago-style
family. Brett’s dad, Jim Henry, has car” with a ’64 front-end, rear axle qualifying and final eliminations at
been involved in drag racing since moved forward a couple of inches, a Famoso Raceway.
the 60’s, often hanging out at DeTar 426 hemi stroked to 489 cu. in., with The altered class was qualifying
Automotive in Wichita. Ted DeTar’s ported heads, Hilborn injection,
cars of that era were winners, often burning 85% nitro. against an index of 6.0. Brett had
putting the factory-backed altered Brett, along with his father qualified in the top 8 with his one
wheelbase cars on the trailer in Jim and brother Brent, founded qualifying pass, laboring through
short order. Ultimately, Jim turned Henry Industries, Inc. in the Fall the lights with a 7.848/205.76 mph.
the wrenches for Harold Wilson, of 1991. Brett served as CEO for The final round saw Nick Davies
also in Wichita, on a front-engine twenty-six years until his passing. in “Havoc” vs. top qualifier Vince
top fuel dragster running iron block The emphasis of the company is Generaleo in “Nanook”. Davies
392’s on 80% nitro. This was quite a logistic excellence, with a focus hails from Silverstone, England,
change from the 426 blocks that he on helping companies that own or making the long trip to race in this
was used to working on, but a great manage large distribution centers prestigious field. At the lights, it
experience as he learned a lot in the and warehouses with their logistical was Davies in “Havoc” with the
process and pursued his ambition needs. They wanted to assist win, laying down a 6.117/231.36
to build and race altered wheelbase companies with changes in how mph to Generaleo’s slightly quicker
mid-60’s Chrysler cars. 6.136/232.51 mph.
they operate and provide services.
Although Brett and I lived in Since founding the company, In the three other fuel classes,
the same metropolitan area, I first they have become a leader in #3 qualifier Jim Young won top fuel
met him in 2014 - where else but assisting others with warehousing, over #1 qualifier Jim Murphy, with
in his pit at a drag race. One thing distribution, and 3rd party logistics. both cars having a difficult time
I learned from that day forward - Today, Henry Industries is one of getting down the track. Young’s

FINAL TOP EIGHT QUALIFIERS
Driver Car Name Home Elapsed Time Speed

Vince Generaleo Nanook Las Vegas, NV 6.125 221.96
Nick Davies Havoc Silverstone, England 6.135 232.15
Ron Hope Rat Trap Franklin, TN 6.469 201.91
Bryan Hall Tramp Rio Linda, CA 6.663 200.47

Jason Richey The Patriot Livermore, CA 6.715 209.30
Shawn Callen High Heaven Boise, ID 6.738 186.74
Randy Bradford Bradford’s Altered Camano Island, WA 6.918 235.93
Brett Henry Iron Mistress Maize, KS 7.848 205.76

8 Nitro Madness Magazine Spring 2018