Working On My Redneck ™ » rick hendrick

Rick Hendrick and Wife Injured In A Plane Crash

Leon — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:21:06 +0000

(photo from Sheriff’s Office @ Key West)

A Gulfstream G-150 jet co-owned by Jimmie Johnson Racing ll Inc. and Hendrick Motorsports LLC reportedly lost is braking capabilities, thereby, running off the end of the runway at Key West, FL Monday night.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the pilot and co-pilot radioed that the plane had no brakes upon landing in Key West. Horton said the plane ran off the runway, and then 100 feet beyond a 600-foot safety area that was finished in May. “If we hadn’t done that, it likely would have been a different story,” Horton said of the safety area that is meant as a runway overrun space. The National Transportation and Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.

All four people on board, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, his wife, Linda Hendrick, and two Hendrick Motorsports pilots, were released from Lower Keys Medical Center early Tuesday morning. Rick Hendrick was diagnosed with a broken rib and a broken clavicle, and Linda Hendrick was treated for minor cuts and bruises. Both pilots were evaluated and released without injury.

All four have safely returned to North Carolina.

This latest aviation accident for Hendrick Motorsports comes just seven years and four days after the very devastating plane crash for that organization near Martinsville on October 27,2004, where Rick Hendrick lost his son, Ricky, brother John, two nieces Kimberly and Jennifer, along with key individuals in his racing program at HMS.

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

Rick Hendrick Buys First Chevy Volt

Leon — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:21:59 +0000

(photo courtesy thecarconnection.com)

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, has purchased the first Chevrolet Volt offered for sale. Proceeds will benefit science, math, engineering, and technology education initiatives through the Detroit Public Schools Foundation.

The vehicle, bearing the vehicle identification number BU10002, was sold for $225,000 through an online auction that closed Tuesday, Dec. 14.

“This was an opportunity to own a piece of history while giving back to the community,” said Hendrick, an avid car collector. “I have been a Chevrolet dealer for more than 30 years, and the Volt is one of the most exciting and important new cars since we opened our first dealership in 1976.

“Hendrick Motorsports has been racing Chevys since 1984, and any success we’ve had is due to the quality of our people,” continued Hendrick, who has won a record 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner championships. “The Detroit Public Schools will prepare the next generation of talented engineers and technicians who will help Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports compete at a high level on the racetrack every weekend.”

Detroit Public Schools Foundation President and CEO, Chacona W. Johnson, believes the donation will make a meaningful difference for many Detroit students:

“With Mr. Hendrick’s contribution, we have the opportunity to inspire thousands of children to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math,” Johnson said. “That inspiration will help make Detroit Public Schools students more successful in higher education, and better prepared for careers in the 21st century workforce.”

Here are a few examples of what the foundation could provide to Detroit students with $225,000:

Send 4,500 students to compete in a science fair

It costs $50 per student to compete in the annual Science and Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit, including entry fees and bussing expenses. The fair is open to students in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties, from grades six through 12. Each year up to eight students from the Detroit competition may be selected to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair.

Provide 800 kits for robotics competitions

The $280 kit for the FIRST Lego League robotics competition includes everything a team needs to build an autonomous robot. The competition, for students in grades four through eight, is based on students’ scientific research, as well as their robotic construction and programming.

Send 140 students to NASA space camp

It costs $16,000 to send 10 students and chaperons to NASA space camp in Huntsville, Ala., including tuition and travel expenses. During the five-day camp, students apply classroom math and science skills to shuttle training missions, such as moon walking practice and orbiter-egress training.

“Every aspect of the Volt – from its aerodynamic shape to its battery chemistry – is a testament to the importance of math and sciences,” said General Motors North America President Mark Reuss. “Now, the first Volt will help cultivate the next generation of engineers who will build upon the Volt’s innovative technologies.”

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle that can operate under a range of weather climates and driving conditions with little concern of being stranded by a depleted battery. The Volt has a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank.

Chevrolet began shipping Volts from Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly this week. Hendrick will take delivery of his Volt later this month.

Not only is Rick Hendrick a very successful businessman and NASCAR race team owner, but he is very philanthropic as well!

What is your view on the good deeds of Mr. Hendrick?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

More From Hendrick On The Major Shakeup

Leon — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:50:39 +0000

(photo courtesy Jason Smith/Getty Images)

In a Wednesday morning teleconference with the media, NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick reiterated that the massive changes going on at his race shop, Hendrick Motorsports, are the results of his belief that people on his team “had gotten complacent”. He said that since his announcement of the change of crew chiefs in three of the four race teams that his organization fields in the Sprint Cup level, there is a “new energy” in the entire organization.

Hendrick announced the changes, the planning for which began after the race at Texas Motor Speedway three weeks ago, on Tuesday. The only team not affected is that of Jimmie Johnson, who won his fifth straight championship last weekend.

The biggest changes involved the movement of three of his four crew chiefs. Those changes see Steve Letarte moving from the car of Jeff Gordon to the car of Dale Earnhardt Jr.; Lance McGrew going from the car of Earnhardt to that of Mark Martin; and Alan Gustafson going from Martin to Gordon.

Hendrick said that he is still looking at changing over-the-wall people up but that “is a work in progress”.

“Significant changes need to be made for sure” on the pit crews, Hendrick said. He said that no people in the race shops will be moved around.

Hendrick said that the decision to make the moves was his and, “It’s not one of those things that you can vote on.”

“We all needed something to get excited about,” Hendrick said, “a new challenge.”

Hendrick denied media assertions made in the hours since the changes were announced that the situation of Earnhardt was the major emphasis. Instead, he said, it was to “pair people up that I thought would be good together.”

He did say that the failure of Earnhardt to perform at consistently high levels, Earnhardt has won just one points race since joining HMS for the 2008 season, has been frustrating to Hendrick.

“I have never had as much pressure” as when Earnhardt joined the team,” Hendrick said. “I knew when I brought him on the world would be watching.”

Hendrick said he thinks Letarte, who has been with Gordon since 2006, is a perfect match with Earnhardt.

“He,” Hendrick said of Letarte, “has tremendous people skills. He is a leader and is a no-nonsense guy when he come to the race but he has the ability to make people feel comfortable and at the same time get the job done. With the kind of season Junior’s had, Stevie will be a perfect fit for him.”

While no votes were taken at HMS about the moves, Hendrick did say that Gordon signed off on the move to make Gustafson his crew chief.

And, he said the problems which Gordon had during this year’s Chase were not the fault of Letarte.

“Toward the end, we had all kind of problems. I feel like this is exactly what they need and that is why we did it now. We don’t have a lot of down time but there is enough time for them to work some together and get comfortable with each other.”

It looks like this major shift in three of the four race teams at HMS could be a win-win situation for all three race teams.

What is your take on this upheaval at HMS?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

Rags To Riches Story

Leon — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:37:28 +0000

(photo courtresy nascar)

About 20 years ago the movie “Days of Thunder” made its premier. The movie really made an impact on the sports scene with Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall as the stars and a soon to be known star named Nicole Kidman in the movie. Not only was this movie a big deal to the sport of NASCAR, it was a life changer for a local Nashville boy who had endured some very hard times.

Nashville’s Bobby Hamilton, whose gritty, boots strap racing already read like a Hollywood screenplay, was chosen to drive the “movie car” to film action scenes. The performance was so good that Hamilton landed a ride in the Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup Series), and launched his big time racing career!

The way that Bobby Hamilton landed the job in the making of “Days of Thunder” is an interesting story. Rick Hendrick, acting as a consultant and advisor to the movie, was asked to suggest a possible driver for the movie. Darrell Waltrip, then driving for Hendrick Motorsports, recommended a tough as nails, gritty driver from his old stomping grounds, The Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Bobby Hamilton.

Old DW was smart enough to know that this exposure might just be what Hamilton would need to launch his racing career to the next level. Waltrip knew that Hamilton was a good driver who just needed a good break, and knew what it could mean for one of his old “homies”!

Despite being rough around the edges, Hamilton was not shy around the big “Hollywood Types”. Hamilton climbed into the car, qualified 5th at Phoenix International Raceway and raced like it was Saturday night at the Nashville Fairgrounds Raceway! The gritty Hamilton drove the race car to the front and lead the race for 10 laps before NASCAR had to wave him off!

Obviously, somebody forgot to tell Bobby that he wasn’t supposed to lead the race!

George Bradshaw, a NASCAR team owner, was so impressed that he signed Hamilton to drive one of his cars in the Winston Sup Series. Later Richard Petty signed Hamilton to drive for Petty Enterprises and Hamilton gave Petty his first victory as an owner.

Hamilton only won four races in his Winston Cup career, but the last one might have been his most spectacular win, That victory came while driving for Andy Petree in the 2001 race at Talladega Superspeedway.

Because of his success at the Winston/Sprint Cup level, Hamilton was able to start a Craftsman Truck Series team in his hometown of Mt. Juliet, TN in 2002. By 2004 Bobby Hamilton won the Craftsman Truck Series Championship in his own equipment.

Even though Hamilton was known for his tough as nails, gritty, outspoken personality, he was unable to win his battle with throat cancer. Bobby Hamilton passed away on January 7, 2007.

In spite of the fact that Hamilton was a product of a broken home, lived out on the streets, dodged bullets as a “repo man”, had to borrow money to keep his racing career going in the early days in Nashville, and notwithstanding that Hamilton’s life ended on a tragic note, his story is truly one of “rags to riches”!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

Kahne To Phoenix Racing’s 09 Car in 2011?

Leon — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:08:29 +0000

(photo courtesy Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

Breaking news from SI.com:

Hendrick Motorsports and James Finch are working on a partnership to put Kasey Kahne in the #09 car for 2011, SI.com has learned. Multiple sources indicate the deal could be completed within the next few weeks. Hendrick will not be allowed to own the car under NASCAR’s four-team rule, leaving Finch in the position of ownership, although engines and chassis would continue to come from Hendrick.

Once completed, the partnership solves the HMS dilemma of where to put Kahne next season. Signed to take over the #5 car in 2012, Kahne leaves RPM at the end of the year but Hendrick already has four signed drivers — Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson — under contract for 2011. Stewart-Haas Racing was the first option for Kahne, but sources claim sponsorship and financial constraints for that team have made such a move impossible.

Instead, the partnership with Phoenix Racing is a compromise solution. Under a one-year deal, Kahne will be installed with a single-car team that gives him the opportunity to continue running full-time. Here’s the kicker: once Kahne moves to HMS, sources claim the man he’s replacing, Mark Martin, may be interested in purchasing the Phoenix team for 2012 as he scales back his driving career.

Spokesmen on both sides have denied a deal is in the works. According to Hendrick spokesman Jesse Essex, “Our position with regard to 2011 has not changed. We continue to be open to various options, and nothing has been determined at this time.” The 51-year-old Martin also remains uncommitted to his future beyond 2011.

“I have to say options are in the beginning stages of formulating for what ’12 would bring,” he said at a press conference Friday morning in Michigan. “With not a very high sense of urgency, since I have actually made it clear that I am going to be driving the #5 car next year. It’s still real early to talk about ’12. I don’t think that anything that we had initially had thrown up in the air works great with me driving the #5 in ’11 and getting involved with some other team… although you never know what might happen.”

The dominoes are starring to fall into place regarding Kasey Kahne’s 2011 driving future. Never underestimate the creativeness and power that Rick Hendrick possesses!

What do you think about this possibility for Kahne in 2011?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDECK!

Is Kahne A Slow Packer?

Leon — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:12:30 +0000

(photo courtesy Leon Hammack)

Is it just me or do you think that it is odd that Rick Hendrick and Kasey Kahne announced the deal for their alignment for the 2012 Sprint Cup season after just seven races in the 2010 season? After all, Kahne can’t jump into the #5 HMS Chevy until the start of the 2012 season. So what was the rush to put this deal together and make the announcement?

Now Rick Hendrick must find a place for Kasey Kahne to be for the 2011 season. The obvious assumption is that Hendrick is working to put together a sponsorship package with Stewart-Haas Racing. Since there are only two race teams presently housed under the Stewart-Haas Racing shop, it could be packaged and put together under that banner.

It’s no secret that Petty Motorsports has struggled. It’s no secret that Kahne wants to drive for a winner, and no team has a better track record than Hendrick Motorsports. It’s a primo ride and Kahne will be a perfect fit in Hendrick’s galaxy of stars.

But again, why the big rush to make the announcement now, just seven races into the season? Especially since Kahne can’t join Hendrick until year after next.

We’ve read all the quotes from Richard Petty: he’s fond of Kasey, considers him a talented young driver, wishes him well, so on and so on … but the fact is that Kahne’s odd timing will not serve his team well. Petty Motorsports still has 29 races to run with its lame-duck driver, and that can not be good for the team.

Is there more to this story than meets the eye? Could there be some discontentment at RPM? Is the Gillette default loan problems just the tip of the iceberg? What is the future of Richard Petty Motorsports?

Or could it be that Kasey Kahne is just a very slow packer? You decide!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

Junior [Under] Achievement

Leon — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:18:47 +0000

(photo courtesy Leon Hammack)

Almost as impressive as the Hendrick Motorsports 1-2-3 finish in the 2009 Chase points standings was the total absence from the lead group of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., HMS fourth driver. While Jimmie Johnson was busy celebrating the team’s fourth consecutive championship and Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon were filling out the trifecta for Hendrick Motorsports, the #88 AMP/National Guard team with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was buried in 25th place in the standings. One of the worst finishes of a HMS team and unquestionably Dale, Jr.’s worst finish in his Sprint Cup career!

In Hendrick Motorsports 25 year history of competing at the Sprint Cup level in NASCAR, there have only been two instances that one of his full times teams have finished worse than Dale Earnhardt. Jr.’s 25th place in 2009. Terry Labonte finished 26th in his final year with HMS in 2004, and Brian Vickers was 25th his first full year in the #5 Kelloggs Chevy that same year.

It has now been 57 races since Dale, Jr. won his one and only points race since moving over to HMS in 2008. That race was the June race in Michigan in 2008, won on fuel mileage, or fumes! For a driver at his peak, Earnhardt, Jr. is in the depths of a dark valley!

Once viewed as a certain future Sprint Cup champion by most of NASCAR and by almost everyone in the wide constituency known as JUNIOR NATION, he now seems to be wondering aimlessly, and definitely in need of structure and focus.

The NASCAR numbers don’t lie! In his first five years at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI), Dale, Jr. drove his Dad’s cars to 15 victories and an average finish of 8.6. The next five years, which includes the last two years at HMS, he has won three races and has an average finish of 15.4!

The 2009 season results are considerably worse than last year, when Earnhardt, Jr. at least qualified for the Chase, but slumped to 12th place at the end. But let us not forget that his team has suffered through some of the worst luck throughout the 2009 season imaginable. Not withstanding, the general performance has been so extremely poor that his best finish in the final twelve races was 11th place at Talladega.

In light of the fact that Earnhardt, Jr.’s performances at DEI were stained with his father’s untimely death at Daytona 2001, and a very deteriorating relationship with his step-mother and the new owner, Dale, Jr.’s two seasons with Rick Hendrick have not even come close the quality of his finishes at DEI! Earnhardt, Jr.’s departure from DEI and subsequent signing at Hendrick Motorsports was the single biggest story of the 2007 season! There were great expectations by all in NASCAR that the series most popular driver and the most successful organization presently in NASCAR would be a huge successful combination!

Instead the hunt for victories has been almost a futile attempt. There has been a strain in the relationship by the separation of cousin and crew chief Tony Eury, Jr and Earnhardt, Jr. The #88 AMP/National Guard team has been on the back burner at HMS, while the other three teams mates, Jimmie Johnson, and Mark Martin finished 1-2-3 in this season’s point standings.

So far, the first two years of the marriage of Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has produced rather lackluster results, nothing like the projected anticipation of many victories! Two years later the #88 AMP/National Guard team has but one lone victory, many unanswered questions, and enough frustrations to fill a 22 gallon gas tank. Along the way Dale, Jr. has admittedly questioned everything, including his own ability to win races.

For a driver with the NASCAR world at his feet, Junior has found himself at the bottom staring up at most of the other competitors! And now the 2010 season and the Daytona 500 is less that 50 days away, the mission continues to try to find the right combination for victory at the #88 AMP/ National Guard Chevy.

There are many fans waiting, in fact all of JUNIOR NATION [Workingonmyredneck included], waits for the second coming!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

A Marketing Dream Comes True!

Leon — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:36:56 +0000

(photo courtesy of Indy Racing Series)

Well it is official, Danica Patrick is coming to JR Motorsports, co-0wned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Rick Hendrick, for a limited Nationwide Series “test run”! It is the advertising coup of the new century! Since GoDaddy.com is already the chief sponsor of JR Motorsports, and now for 2010 the primary sponsor for Hendrick Motorsports #5 Chevy, it is a natural “fit”!

Danica’s schedule was not announced,( par for the course), but Ms. Patrick will definitely be driving for JR Motorsports in the February 7th ARCA race a Daytona International Speedway. Additionally all the announcement stated was that Danica Patrick would drive for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series on a limited schedule.

Jayski.com is reporting that the deal with JRM is for about a dozen races driving #7 JR Motorsports Nationwide Chevy (her IRL car number) with GoDaddy.com as the primary sponsor.

Workingonmyredneck agrees with my friend, Bruce Simmons at NASCAR Bits and Pieces, that since Ms. Patrick is transitioning to the Nationwide Series on a limited basis, it can only mean learning will be on a limited basis as well!

What does Danica Patrick bring to the Nationwide Series?

Here at workingonmyredneck it appears that what she brings to NASCAR is; big sponsorship money (GoDaddy.com and maybe Motorola later), a female fan base interest, some female mystique, and let’s face it she ain’t bad looking either!

(Excuse my sexist comment!)

What is your take on this slowly developing story that was anything but a secret deal?

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

Hendrick Motorsports Magic?

Leon — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:56:16 +0000

(photo courtesy Hendrick PR)

What does Rick Hendrick possess that none of the other owners have? How are his race teams able to perform at such a continuously high level? What is the magic piece to the puzzle?

Three of his four NASCAR race teams are fighting for the 2009 Sprint Cup Championship. Those teams are, the #48 Lowe’s Chevy, the #24 Dupont Chevy, and the #5 Kellogg’s/Carquest Chevy. The fourth team, the #88 AMP/National Guard Chevy, is in the midst of a huge slump!

The key ingredient, according to team owner Rick Hendrick, is TEAMWORK! “We do this thing all together”, he emphasized. He goes on to add that his people are the key in making his company strong, from the engineering department, to the fabrication department, to the office people. “We do this thing all TOGETHER!”

Chad Knauss can attest to that fact of TEAMWORK. He said that even during the heat of the championship battle over the last three years, during the team meetings and even at the race track, all four of the race teams were privy to all notes from all of the crew chiefs at Hendrick Motorsports.

Rick Hendrick plays no favorites. He says that he has always has pressed for his company to work together, teamwork, they are treated equally! His policy is that we all succeed or we all fail, but we do it all TOGETHER! As the head of this conglomerate known as Hendrick Motorsports, as well as his car dealerships, Hendrick thinks of his company as his family. He is, in effect, the “patriarch” of his company, and as such takes great pride in providing all the necessary tools for his people to succeed. So what is that magic ingredient at HMS?

TEAMWORK, that is the magic ingredient!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!

Rick Hendrick: All-Star Racing

Leon — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:21:42 +0000

(photo from Hendrick Motorsports)

When Rick Hendrick, a successful car dealer and drag boat racer formed his NASCAR team, in 1984, he had a great name for it. The name chosen, All-Star Racing, was because of a plan he was working on that would put Richard Petty in the driver seat. Additionally, one of the proposed partners in this deal was singer Kenny Rogers. But that whole plan fell through simultaneously! However, Hendrick stayed the course and kept the name, All-Star Racing, until changing the name later to Hendrick Motorsports.

Although Hendrick failed in his pursuit of Richard Petty, and also failed in his attempt to land Dale Earnhardt, Sr., he would race for the next 25 years with some of the best and most talented race car drivers in NASCAR. Hendrick Motorsports has accumulated more than 185 victories and 8 championships, making Hendrick Motorsports one of the most respected race organizations in international sports!

As HMS celebrates 25 years in the racing world, let’s look at some of the drivers that have been a part of the Hendrick Motorsports family.

Geoff Bodine, 1984-1989, was All-Star Racing’s first driver-and first winner! Bodine recorded the first victory at Martinsville , VA, just eight races into the season. Ironically, Mr. Hendrick missed the victory celebration that Sunday, he was attending a church service. Bodine won three races in 1984, which started with no sponsors. With those three victories in hand, the team was able to pick up a $450,000 sponsorship from Levi Garrett.

Tim Richmond’s fleeting star rose as quickly as it fell, drove for Hendrick from 1986 thru the end of 1987. Teamed up with the legendary crew chief, Harry Hyde, who was with Hendrick from the beginning. Tim Richmond quickly and with flare snagged 7 victories in 1986. Richmond scored 2 more victories in his abbreviated 1987 season, one that was shortened due to complications from a newly diagnosed disease-AIDS!

Darrell Waltrip, 1987-90, was a surprise arrival to the Hendrick camp. After winning 3 championships with Junior Johnson, the driver was looking for another good opportunity to shine. DW won 9 races in four years with the organization, but couldn’t bring Hendrick his first championship. He left Hendrick to start his own race team in 1991.

Ricky Rudd, 1990-93, came on board and a year later drove Hendrick to the front door steps of a Cup championship, finishing second to Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Rudd left Hendrick to start his own race team at the end of 1993.

Jeff Gordon, 1992-present, his arrival at Hendrick Motorsports, changed that organization forever! In just his third year,1993, Gordon won the first championship for the organization. Gordon repeated that fete in ’97,’98, and 2001 as he wrestled with Dale Earnhardt, Sr. for NASCAR supremacy!

Terry Labonte, 1994-2006, was a surprise signing for Hendrick. Even though Labonte had won the championship in 1984 for Billy Hagan, the 90′s had not been very kind to Labonte. Once coming over to HMS, all he did was win 3 races in ’94 and again in ’95. then in ’96 Terry Labonte delivered the Cup championship to Hendrick Motorsports.

Jimmie Johnson, 2001-present, basically came form nowhere to land a seat in a brand new team at the prestigious HMS. His career in the Busch (now Nationwide Series) had not generated excitement or any distinguishing features whatsoever. Upon a recommendation from Hendrick’s “lead driver”, Jeff Gordon, Johnson was signed to drive for a new team that Hendrick was forming in conjunction with Gordon. He has since amassed three consecutive championships in a row, and quite possibly add a fourth at the end of this season.

Kyle Busch, 2004-07, won four races in his three year tenure. However when Dale Earnhardt, Jr. became available, Hendrick severed the relationship in order to give Dale, Jr. an opportunity to drive his equipment.

Mark Martin, 2009-present, the grand old man of NASCAR was coerced into coming out of semi-retirement. Prior to returning to a full-time ride Martin had accumulate 36 victories and finished second in the championship standings numerous times. In this his first year with Hendrick, hes is currently in second place in the Chase for The Cup.

These are just a few of the 38 drivers who have, at one time or another, driven a car for Rick Hendrick over the past 25 years. When talking to any or all of these drivers, the one common theme that will be heard over and over again is FAMILY! When you are part of the Hendrick organization, YOU ARE FAMILY!

Through all the triumphs and through all the tragedies, Hendrick Motorsports is one big family! With just 6 races to go, it would appear that this big family will be celebrating again with one more championship for the organization. Whether it is Mark Martin winning his very first championship, Jimmie Johnson winning his record fourth consecutive championship, or by chance Jeff Gordon pulling off his drive for five, it appears that Hendrick Motorsports is about to add yet another championship to its trophy room!

TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!