LIVE FEED REPORT: Rick Hendrick Reflects on Dale Earnhardt, Missed Opportunities, and NASCAR Legacy
Rick Hendrick, the powerhouse owner behind Hendrick Motorsports, leads one of the most dominant teams in NASCAR history, boasting 18 Drivers’ Championships and 347 race wins across multiple series. Beyond his racing empire, Hendrick shared a unique bond with Dale Earnhardt Sr., an icon in his own right. Despite their fierce rivalry on the track, the two maintained a close friendship that shaped Hendrick’s early years in NASCAR.
While Dale Earnhardt Jr. eventually raced for Hendrick Motorsports, there was a time when Dale Earnhardt Sr. nearly joined the team. Reflecting on this during a conversation with Kelly Earnhardt on the “Business of Motorsports” podcast, Hendrick opened up about how close he came to signing “The Intimidator.”
Hendrick’s Early Struggles and Dale Sr.’s Influence
Discussing the challenges of launching his team, Hendrick said:
“I thought I was going to be partners with Furlock and Kenny Rogers. And Richard Petty was going to drive the car. It all fell apart, and I had no sponsor, no driver, two cars, and five employees. So it was a gamble.”
Hendrick and Robert Gee, a noted car fabricator, pressed on despite these hurdles, winning races and eventually securing a sponsor. It was during these formative years that Hendrick tried to bring Dale Earnhardt Sr. onboard.
“The only thing that I really tried to do early on that never happened was your dad drive the car,” Hendrick revealed. “And we came close one time. I told him, ‘You just used me to get a raise.’”
The comment, Hendrick added, led to laughter between the two, as Earnhardt Sr. admitted to leveraging the offer to secure better terms with Richard Childress Racing, where he would eventually achieve greatness.
Dale Sr.’s Role in Hendrick Motorsports’ Beginnings
Despite never racing full-time for Hendrick, Earnhardt Sr. played a pivotal role in Hendrick’s journey into NASCAR. Around 1982, Earnhardt began introducing Hendrick around the garage, describing him as
“A fellow who wants to go NASCAR racing.”
By 1983, Hendrick had partnered with Robert Gee in the Superspeedway Late Model Sportsman series. Earnhardt Sr. even ran a few races for the team, helping them secure their first sponsorship. While Hendrick couldn’t convince Earnhardt to drive full-time, the seven-time champion tested cars for the team, giving their Winston Cup equipment its initial laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway. These cars would later bring success, with Geoffrey Bodine securing three wins and 14 top-ten finishes the following season.
The Legacy Continues Through Dale Jr.
Years later, life came full circle as Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 after a tumultuous exit from Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI). Disputes with his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt, and the loss of Budweiser as a sponsor prompted Junior to leave the family team. While he couldn’t bring his iconic #8 car, Hendrick offered him the #88, which Junior used to carve his own legacy before retiring in 2017.
In a symbolic moment of reconciliation, Dale Jr. recently returned to the track at the South Carolina 400, racing with the #8 once more—an emotional nod to the Earnhardt legacy.
Hendrick Motorsports: A Dynasty in the Making
With or without Dale Earnhardt Sr., Rick Hendrick built the winningest team in NASCAR history. Now, Hendrick Motorsports has the chance to extend its dominance with Kyle Larson, one of the brightest talents in modern racing. From near-misses with legends like Earnhardt Sr. to forging new paths with today’s stars, Hendrick’s legacy continues to shape NASCAR’s history and future.
