South Bend native and auto racing engine builder Rick Wetzel died Sunday at the age of 63 at his home in Mooresville, N.C., after a long battle with Huntington's disease.
Wetzel, known as 'Champ' in racing circles, spent his entire career in auto racing, beginning with IndyCar and then moving on to work for 20-plus year at NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports.
Wetzel was recognized as the only engine builder to have won all of America's most prestigious races — the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400 and the Charlotte 600.
"I'm just a little part of a big wheel,'' Wetzel told the Tribune for a story in 2001. "I'm just fortunate. I got the credit . . . but there's an enormous amount of people behind the scene.''
Hendrick cars plan to run this weekend in Watkins Glen, N.Y., with a photo of Wetzel on their cars to honor him.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville, N.C., is handling arrangements.
Obituary for Frederick Leonard Wetzel
January 18, 1956 ~ July 28, 2019
Rick was born on January 18, 1956 in South Bend, IN, to the late, Fred and Loretta (Lane) Wetzel. He married his wife Lori on July 4, 1992 in Charleston, South Carolina, she survives along with his sisters, Mary Gaye Wetzel and Cyndy (Ralph) Andrews of South Bend.
Rick spent his entire working career in motor racing, the beginning in Indy car and the last 20 plus years at Hendrick Motorsports. Rick could be best described as the racer’s racer. He lived every day to race and during his incredible career as an engine builder whatever team or racing series that he was associated with was elevated due to his passion and commitment. With names like Andretti, Johncock, Jarrett, Labonte, and Gordon all winning America’s most prestigious races with engines he built.
He is responsible for mentoring and guiding the careers of some of today’s most successful NASCAR engine suppliers and executives. Recognized and documented by Chevrolet Racing executives as the only individual to build the engines that won the most prestigious races in America, the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400, and the Charlotte 600.
He was twice awarded the NASCAR Engine Builder of the Year award. At the height of his career, he claimed the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship with driver Jeff Gordon in 2001 as the engine builder only to learn in the months afterwards that he had been stricken with the disease that would eventually take his life some 18 years later. Rick enjoyed spending time at Sprint car races, elk hunting in Wyoming, and spoiling his dogs, Champ and Sister.
The family would like to thank Crystal Albery, his wonderful caregiver and Hospice of Iredell for all their amazing care and support during this long illness.
A Memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, August 29 at Hendrick Motorsports Team Center.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd, Statesville, NC 28625.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frederick Leonard Wetzel please visit our Sympathy Store.
Wetzel
Jan. 18, 1956 - July 28, 2019
MOORESVILLE, NC - Frederick “Rick” Wetzel, age 63, passed away at home in Mooresville NC.
Rick had a very distinguished career in both Indy cars and NASCAR. He joined Hendrick Motorsports in 1988.
He was nicknamed “Champ” by the racing community for all of his numerous accomplishments. Rick was the only engine builder to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 twice, and the CocaCola 600. Rick won the prestigious Clevite Engine Builder of the Year in 1989 and 2001, the Hendrick Award of Excellence, along with many other motorsport awards.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Wetzel and Loretta Wetzel Mulcaire. He is survived by his wife Lori, sisters Mary Gaye Wetzel and Cyndy (Ralph) Andrews, aunt Pat Pauszek, numerous cousins, and his most cherished dogs, “Champ” and “Sister.”
A memorial service will be held at a later date in North Carolina.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Huntington's Disease Society of America, New York, NY.
Published in South Bend Tribune on Aug. 4, 2019
djb 08.04.2019
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/southbendtribune/obituary.aspx?n=frederick-wetzel-rick&pid=193552733