From NASCAR to PRO4: Jimmy Henderson’s Journey of Passion, Relationships, and Risk

Jimmy Henderson has emerged as a force in PRO4, with his podium finishes and wins continuing to pile up. His racing career is extensive, showcasing various disciplines from dirt to pavement and back again.  His experiences on the track and at his businesses in Georgia have created a successful short-course race team that will be a cornerstone of the sport for years.

Jimmy Henderson started dreaming about racing at the age of 4 when his dad raced dirt, late models. As a kid, he raced BMX bikes around the local circle tracks. At 11, his dad bought him an alcohol go-kart, which led to local dirt track wins, including a track record

From Circle Tracks to NASCAR, Triumphs and Trials

From his teens well into his twenties, Jimmy Henderson raced and honed his fabrication and technical skills in various circle track divisions. He eventually made it to Morgan McClure Racing and TC Motorsports as a driver in the NASCAR ARCA and Nationwide Series. During this time, a severe crash at Pocono and later at Nashville led to advice to stop racing.

During a five-year break from racing, Henderson participated in the Scottish Highland Games for fun. His return to racing included a successful run in a Legends car and a short stint in a Super Late Model, but then he paused racing to focus on the expanding family business.

A Trail Ride Leads to Short-Course Racing

A few years ago, a trail ride with his wife, Brett, inspired Jimmy to try SxS racing at Durhamtown. This experience took him on a trip up north to Crandon. “We arrived and stood by the fence in Turn One just as they released the PRO4s for practice. I was like, what in the hell did I just see? I had never seen anything like it. I was blown away. Right then, at that moment, I thought, I have to find a way to get in one of those,” remarked Henderson.

Connections Create Move to PRO4

After meeting Johnny Greaves, the two quickly hit it off. “Johnny gave me a chance to drive a PRO4 during a Crandon test session, and I just couldn’t believe the sensation; my adrenaline was through the roof,” Henderson remarked.

That day, Jimmy Henderson Motorsports entered the PRO4 short-course world and hasn’t looked back. The same passion and precision people have come to expect from Henderson Fabrication for a building or manufacturing plant is also evident at the race shop.

Getting where Jimmy and his team are now took considerable time. The investment at a young age to find a path to NASCAR and then understanding family and business are all part of the big plan. Along the way, relationships create strong bonds in every aspect of life.

Another relationship was with the late Kyle Leduc. During his fight with cancer, Kyle created an opportunity to put Jimmy’s team on a proper championship level. It was a difficult decision, Henderson lamented, “When God opens the door, you got to have the strength to take it. This is a risk, but we got to take it.”

Racing, Business, and Beyond: The Drive for Success

Henderson also extended relationships with race team partners into his construction businesses, finding immediate success. The same products used on the race truck are utilized daily to help his businesses operate effectively.

For the upcoming season, Henderson’s wife, Brett, is stepping up significantly by leading the media and sponsor content efforts, working alongside Papperazzi Imaging & Film. “For us, it’s not just about racing; it’s about creating quality content that highlights the value for our sponsors and the hard work that goes into it, both on and off the track,” notes Brett Henderson.

The off-season saw the team build a new Tennessee shop equipped with the latest tools and technology needed to compete in the 2025 AMSOIL Championship Off-Road PRO4 Championship. The facility will also include a short-course test track, all under the guidance of off-road guru Trad Ronfeldt.