FAITH, NORTH CAROLINA- - What was once a dry cleaners in downtown
Faith, Noth Carolina is now the town’s link to racing celebrities.
"I’d always wanted this building," says Gary Hess, who
bought it from his great-uncle and moved in 15 months
ago. Hess paints helmets. Not just any helmets though.
A native of Faith, Hess went to Faith Elementary,
Erwin Middle and East Rowan High School. He graduated and studied graphic
design at Central Piedmont Community College.
While working at a screen printing company, Hess worked on NASCAR
memorabilia and got to know Jeff Gordon’s stepfather, John Bickford.
Bickford passed some of Hess’ helmet designs along to the NASCAR star.
Gordon liked them, and Hess has been designing and painting his helmets
since 1999. He has also done work for Dale Jarrett, Ricky Rudd, and
Casey Atwood among others.
When passersby look into the shop, they can see
some of his work. Three helmets are displayed in the
front, including the first helmet Hess ever painted.
Race fans can buy replicas of such a helmet from
Hess at the bargain price of $3,800.
Hess spends most of his day prepping
helmets to be painted, and in his paint booth, creating
his newest masterpiece. These race helmets, Hess
says, are his canvas.
Hess’ most recent claim to fame is having designed
the helmets for the U.S. Olympic Luge Team. His
helmets made their live international television
debut at the 2002 Olympic games.
Since he began painting helmets about five years ago,
business has certainly picked up.
His business has put a small North Carolina town
on the racing map.
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