STATESVILLE, N.C. – Larry Hedrick, a NASCAR Cup Series team owner for more than 10 years in the 1990s and early 2000s, died Monday at the age of 79.

A businessman, Hedrick wore many hats through the years, but in the racing world he is best known as the owner of Larry Hedrick Motorsports.

In the NASCAR Cup Series, cars owned by Hedrick competed in 259 events from 1990 through 2000. The team’s best season came in 1996 when Ricky Craven drove Hedrick’s No. 41 Chevrolet to three top-five and five top-10 finishes and a 20th-place finish in the Cup Series standings.

A number of drivers drove for Hedrick through the years, including Craven, Larry Pearson, Dave Marcis, Dick Trickle, Joe Nemechek, Phil Parsons, Steve Grissom, David Green, Gary Bradberry and Derrike Cope.

Hedrick’s team earned eight top-five and 23 top-10 finishes at NASCAR’s highest level. The team also earned two poles, both in 1996 with Craven at the wheel. The team also entered 17 NASCAR Xfinity Series events in 1999 with Green driving, earning one top-five and seven top-10 finishes.

Aside from his career as a NASCAR team owner, Hedrick served on the Iredell County (N.C.) Board of Commissioners and founded the Statesville Auto Auction more than 40 years ago. He also co-owned the Kannapolis (N.C.) Boll Weevils Minor League Baseball team for a time.