Tuesday, 05 May 2026

Rick Hendrick

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2026
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Sport(s): Auto Racing
Statistics & Accolades: 15 NASCAR Cup Series Championships
3 NASCAR Truck Series Championships
1 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship
Member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
Rick Hendrick’s entry into racing was driven by a lifelong passion for speed, starting as a drag racer. At 14, he built a 1931 Chevrolet with a self-made engine, winning trophies at local drag strips before switching to road racing. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Hendrick competed in the SCCA series, winning a divisional championship. He later stepped away from driving to focus on his automotive dealership empire, but his competitive spirit laid the technical and strategic foundation for a revolution in team management.

In 1984, Hendrick established Hendrick Motorsports, a team that would go on to revolutionize success in NASCAR. Under his guidance, it became the sport’s most dominant team, achieving over 300 Cup Series wins and securing 14 championships by 2024. He introduced the multi-car team model, demonstrating that sharing data and resources among drivers was crucial for long-term success. Having mentored legendary champions like Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick was enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017, solidifying his place as the most successful owner in modern NASCAR history.

We are proud to nominate Rick Hendrick for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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