CompetitionPlus is mourning the loss of staff member Chris Haverly, who was killed Tuesday in a single-car accident in Wytheville, Virginia. He was a valued member of the CompetitionPlus team and a longtime contributor whose work reflected a deep respect for drag racing and its people.
“Chris and I came up the ranks under the mentorship of the late Dave Bishop, who welcomed us in as kids and taught us more than how to be journalists but good people,” CompetitionPlus.com Editor/Publisher Bobby Bennett said. “Chris was a kind and gentle soul and always did what it took to help us bring the readers of CompetitionPlus.com the best photography. He was one of the most selfless people I ever met. My heart is broken. I know he’s in Heaven now comparing pictures with Roger Richards and Dave Bishop.”
Details surrounding the accident were limited as of Wednesday, and no additional information has been released. CompetitionPlus will respect the privacy of Haverly’s family as they navigate an unthinkable loss.
Haverly’s impact extended far beyond the race track. While he was deeply rooted in drag racing, his life’s work away from the sport centered on rescuing animals and helping people keep their pets during difficult times.
By his own description, Haverly was “just an average guy” who grew up in the coal camps of Eastern Kentucky and Southwest Virginia. His love for animals began while working in the coal mines, where stray dogs were a constant presence on job sites.
“There were always strays on the job site,” Haverly once said. “I made sure they were fed and had a place to sleep.”
What began as feeding a few dogs grew into a lifelong mission. At one mine site, Haverly routinely cared for six to 12 dogs at a time as the area became known as a place where unwanted animals were abandoned. Over the years, he estimated that more than 50 dogs had been dumped there, all of which he worked to place into permanent homes, including two dogs he kept for 17 years.
In 2016, his rescue work intensified after stopping to help two abandoned puppies along a rural roadside. That moment led to his partnership with regional rescue networks focused on removing animals from high-risk shelters and transporting them to rescues where they could be adopted.
Haverly became a critical link in that effort, often transporting 20 to 30 dogs and cats per trip—sometimes as many as 50—across Virginia and neighboring states. He did so largely on his own time and at his own expense, helping shelters avoid overcrowding and animals avoid euthanasia.
He also fostered puppies in his home, believing shelters were no place for young animals. His work extended into the community, where he helped distribute hundreds of pounds of pet food weekly to seniors and families struggling to afford care for their animals.
“No one should have to choose between paying their electric bill or feeding their pet,” Haverly said.
At the race track, Haverly was known for his tireless work as a photographer and his ability to connect with anyone he met.
“Chris Haverly wasn’t just an incredibly talented motorsports photographer; he was a friend and a true champion for rescuing animals from their horrible environments,” said Adam Dobbs, CompetitionPlus.com photography coordinator. “Chris, you will be missed by many, but not forgotten.”
CompetitionPlus.com photographer Rhonda McCole echoed that sentiment, remembering both his passion for the sport and his compassion away from it.
“Chris was a true hero,” McCole said. “He dedicated his life to rescuing animals and never turned any unwanted animal away. Tirelessly transporting rescues to a new, better life every single day.”
McCole said Haverly also helped people keep their animals by providing food, temporary shelter, or financial assistance when needed.
“He was a fellow drag racing photographer who was passionate about the sport and would spend hours out on the wall photographing every single car that went down the track,” McCole said. “He was a favorite in the pits, making friends with everyone he came in contact with. He always had a joke to tell, a feisty comment, or some wise words to pass along.”
“He was my friend, and I am going to miss him,” she said. “I am positive that he and Roger are up there in Heaven, surrounded by all their animals, sitting on a bench with their cameras, and swapping corny jokes. Rest easy, my friend.”
Haverly’s passing leaves a void within CompetitionPlus and the drag racing community, but his legacy—defined by kindness, service, and quiet selflessness—will endure.
The CompetitionPlus team extends its deepest condolences to Haverly’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his life.
