Owner, Hendrick Motorsports
Chairman and CEO, Hendrick Automotive Group

Full Name: Joseph Riddick Hendrick III

Birthplace: Warrenton, North Carolina

Hometown: Palmer Springs, Virginia

Rick Hendrick is a self-described “gearhead” who turned his passion for automobiles into industry-defining businesses in automotive retail and professional auto racing.  

Raised on a tobacco farm near the small community of Palmer Springs, Virginia, Hendrick worked on and raced cars as a young man. At age 14, he rebuilt a 1931 Chevrolet with the help of his father, “Papa Joe,” and regularly traveled to racetracks across the region, often volunteering as a crew member. After high school, he moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, to pursue a co-op program with North Carolina State University and Westinghouse Electric Corp.  

Although he studied to become a tool and die maker, Hendrick’s enthusiasm for cars led him down a different career path. In Raleigh, he connected with established dealer Mike Leith and opened a small used car lot. The venture’s success convinced Leith to name Hendrick general sales manager of his new car import operation at the age of 23. He fell in love with the business.  

In 1976, after Hendrick caught the eye of General Motors executives, a risky opportunity presented itself: A chronically troubled Chevrolet store in Bennettsville, South Carolina, needed new leadership. It would make Hendrick the youngest Chevy dealer in the country, but the barriers to success were substantial in the tiny agricultural town, both financially and operationally. After considering the possibilities, he and wife Linda sold everything they owned, purchased the location and moved two hours south.  

At just 26 years old, Hendrick’s people-first approach and natural talent for the car business turned the struggling Bennettsville dealership into the region’s most profitable. The transformation led to more opportunities and was the precursor to Hendrick Automotive Group, which today operates collision centers, accessories distributor installers and 133 retail franchises across 13 states.   

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and employing more than 11,000 people, Hendrick Automotive Group is now the largest privately held dealership group in the country. In 2025, it generated over $14.5 billion in revenue after selling more than 210,000 vehicles and servicing nearly 2.7 million cars and trucks. Hendrick, 76, leads the organization as its chairman and CEO.  

While working to establish himself in the car business, Hendrick remained active in racing circles – setting world records in drag boats before returning to his roots in stock cars. In 1984, he founded NASCAR team Hendrick Motorsports, which has become the sport’s most successful operation. Today, the original race shop overlooks a state-of-the-art facility with 500,000 square feet of workspace on more than 150 acres in Concord, North Carolina. It is home to 500 employees who support four full-time Chevrolet stock-car teams with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson in the elite NASCAR Cup Series and one in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series with newcomer Corey Day.  

In May 2021, Hendrick Motorsports became the winningest team in Cup Series history after breaking the record held for more than 60 years by the legendary Petty Enterprises. At NASCAR’s top level, Hendrick Motorsports holds every major statistical record, including championships, points-paying victories, pole positions and laps led. It has won at least one race in a record 41 different seasons and maintains an active streak of 40 in a row (1986-2025).  

Hendrick is also NASCAR’s all-time leader in national series championships with 19 overall. His teams have earned one in the O’Reilly Series (driver’s title only), three in the Craftsman Truck Series and a record 15 at the premier Cup level. Hendrick Motorsports’ Cup Series titles have come with a NASCAR record five different drivers: Jimmie Johnson (seven), Jeff Gordon (four), Larson (2021, 2025), Terry Labonte (1996) and Elliott (2020).  

A leukemia survivor, Hendrick’s charitable efforts have generated tens of millions of dollars in support of countless causes. In 2016, he and Linda introduced the not-for-profit Hendrick Family Foundation. It consolidated the philanthropic initiatives of the Hendrick organization and absorbed its predecessor, the Hendrick Marrow Program, which raised more than $15 million from 1997-2016. The foundation’s signature event is the annual Learn Live Hope Golf Classic, which in 2025 generated over $1.6 million to benefit various organizations.  

Hendrick was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017 and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2013. He is a recipient of the prestigious Horatio Alger Award, NASCAR’s Bill France Award of Excellence and The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is bestowed upon outstanding North Carolinians. In 2014, Hendrick was honored with the Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the auto industry. 

Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports

Full Name: Jeffery Michael Gordon

Birthplace: Vallejo, California

Current Residence: Charlotte, North Carolina

Jeff Gordon is one of the most accomplished and influential figures in professional auto racing history, building a legacy as a championship-winning driver, pop culture icon, philanthropist, broadcaster and executive.

A four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001) and third on its all-time wins list (93), Gordon helped redefine what was possible for a stock-car driver. From 1992 to 2015, he established one of the most decorated résumés in NASCAR history and played a pivotal role in broadening the sport’s reach to a global audience. Known for his versatility, sharp instincts and penchant for delivering on the biggest stages, Gordon competed in a record 797 consecutive races and won many of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, including three DAYTONA 500s and a record five Brickyard 400s.

At age 24, Gordon became the youngest Cup Series champion of NASCAR’s modern era in 1995. He remains the all-time leader in road course wins (nine), restrictor-plate wins (12) and consecutive seasons with at least one pole position (23). He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998 and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2019 with 96% of the vote – the highest percentage ever recorded.

Gordon broke long-held stereotypes about NASCAR drivers, helping the sport expand beyond its traditional roots. His success, polished image and media-savvy personality drew in millions of new fans and opened doors for corporate partnerships, national television coverage and mainstream recognition. He became one of NASCAR’s most effective ambassadors, helping usher in a new era of popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s.

While still in race-winning form, Gordon retired from driving in 2015 and transitioned to the broadcast booth, serving from 2016 to 2021 as a lead analyst for FOX Sports. His experience and insight helped bring fans closer to the action while maintaining a high-profile presence in the NASCAR community.

Gordon was a trailblazer in pop culture and remains the only race car driver to host “Saturday Night Live.” He made television appearances on “The Simpsons,” “Spin City,” “The Drew Carey Show” and others, and had roles in the films “Taxi,” “Looney Tunes: Back in Action” and “Herbie: Fully Loaded.” He co-hosted “Live! With Regis and Kelly” more than 10 times and voiced the character Jeff Gorvette in the animated films “Cars 2” and “Cars 3.” Gordon also appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “Sesame Street,” “Celebrity Poker Showdown” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”