Rick Hendrick

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Lore & Background

Hendrick's journey began in Warrenton, North Carolina, and South Hill, Virginia, where he rebuilt a 1931 Chevrolet at age fourteen with his father. By sixteen, he won the Virginia division of the Chrysler-Plymouth Troubleshooting Contest, proving his mechanical acumen before opening a used-car lot that quickly became the region's most profitable under his management. In 1976, he purchased a franchise in Bennettsville, South Carolina, becoming the youngest Chevrolet dealer in the United States. His influence turned the location into a powerhouse, laying the groundwork for the Hendrick Automotive Group. On the water, he founded a drag boat racing team in the late 1970s that won three consecutive championships and set a world record of 222.2 mph with Nitro Fever. He also ventured into the NASCAR Model Sportsman Series, earning one victory with Dale Earnhardt at Charlotte Motor Speedway before launching his full-time Cup team in 1984.

In Their Own Story

The path to dominance was paved with specific milestones and personal resilience. In 1987 and 1988, Hendrick himself drove two races in the Winston Cup Series, finishing 33rd and fifteenth respectively, while also making single starts in the Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA SuperCar Series. He once served as a pit crew member for Ray Hendrick's Flying 11 car in the 1960s. The team's growth was explosive; starting with Geoff Bodine in 1984 to finish ninth with three wins, it evolved into a dynasty. In 2017 and 2020, Rick was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. His legacy also includes surviving a plane crash on October 31, 2011, where he suffered three broken ribs and a fractured clavicle, while his wife Linda sustained minor injuries. In December 2018, he announced plans for Jeff Gordon to replace him upon retirement.

Reader's Guide

Hendrick Motorsports' championship roster is defined by precise driver achievements across multiple series. Jimmie Johnson leads the pack with seven Cup Series titles, followed by Jeff Gordon with four. Kyle Larson has secured two championships, while Chase Elliott and Terry Labonte have each won one in the Cup Series. In the lower divisions, Jack Sprague dominated the Truck Series with three titles, all under Hendrick ownership, and Brian Vickers claimed the 2003 Xfinity Series championship. The team's race win count is staggering: 252 in the Cup Series, 67 in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (split between Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports), and 26 in the Truck Series. As of 2024, these victories total 304 Cup races alone. The organization also secured 291 pole positions across all series, with 216 in the Sprint/Cup Series.

Did You Know?

• Rick Hendrick is one of only three owners in history to win NASCAR Championships in the top three series.
• In December 1997, he pleaded guilty to mail fraud for bribing Honda executives but received a full pardon from President Bill Clinton in December 2000.
• He won the Virginia division of the Chrysler-Plymouth Troubleshooting Contest at age 16, beating out established dealers.
• His drag boat team set a world record speed of 222.2 mph (357.6 km/h) with Nitro Fever.
• In 1984, he launched his NASCAR Winston Cup team with only five full-time employees and 5,000 square feet of workspace.