NASCAR team-owner Rick Hendrick became the 17th member of the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame—and its first “Southern Gentleman” —during the 12th annual Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame Gala at The Speedway Club Thursday evening.
Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Darrell Waltrip, a former Hendrick Motorsports driver, praised Hendrick as “my good friend, my buddy, somebody I love to death.” Waltrip said Hendrick personified the qualities of a true “Southern Gentleman” during his introductory remarks.
“When I think about a Southern Gentleman I think about his dad (Papa Joe Hendrick) and about Rick,” said Waltrip, who scored nine of his 84 career NSCS wins at HMS between 1987-90. “And a Southern Gentleman has a lot of characteristics that I think have gotten lost through the years but Rick still has them—hard work, respect for your elders, a firm handshake, your word is your bond, you make eye contact with someone when you’re talking to them…you treat other people like you want to be treated.
“He’s as smooth as silk but he’s as strong as steel. Rick Hendrick, folks, in my opinion, is a true Southern Gentleman and he is so worthy of any award but particularly this award tonight.”
Hendrick’s teams have enjoyed a wealth of success at TMS. HMS’ six career Sprint Cup victories are second-most by a team owner, trailing only fellow-Texas Motorsports Hall of Famer Jack Roush’s nine.
“I’ve been so blessed in my life because I get to do the two things I enjoy the most—outside of my family—and that’s racing and the automobile business,” said Hendrick, whose auto empire includes three dealerships in Texas. “I’ve met some terrific friends, like Darrell. I’ve seen guys like Jeff Gordon (emerge as superstars). Now he’s retiring and I’m still here—I’m a fossil.
“The sport’s been so good to me. In some of the darkest hours of my life, NASCAR has been there. I’ve been to the top of the mountain and all of my friends have been with us. But in any business you’re in today, it’s all about people…and racing’s that way. Thank you for this terrific honor. I’m blessed to be here; I’m honored and humbled.”
The remainder of the night’s awards amounted to a Hendrick Motorsports love fest. Waltrip received the O. Bruton Smith Legend Award after an introduction by brother Michael. A popular analyst on FOX Sports’ NASCAR telecasts, “Ol’ D.W.” said the award was special to him because it had the blessing of longtime friend O. Bruton Smith, chairman of the board of Speedway Motorsports Inc.
“In 2000, I was honored to receive the Bill France Award of Excellence, and that meant a lot to me,” said Waltrip, a NASCAR Hall of Famer. “But this award, I mean this when I say it, this means more than any award I’ve ever gotten from anybody.”
The driver who will replace Jeff Gordon in the No. 24 Chevrolet next year—Chase Elliott—was honored as TMS Racer of the Year. Elliott posted his first NASCAR XFINITY Series victory in last April’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 300. At the age of 18 years, 4 months and 7 days, Elliott became the second-youngest driver to win an XFINITY Series race and the first series rookie to win at TMS. The son of 1988 NSCS champion Bill Elliott, Chase went on to win the XFINITY championship.
In addition, Sprint Cup race title sponsor Duck Commander was presented the Major General Thomas Sadler Award for its contributions to Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas Chapter. The local chapter’s mission is to care for children in educational, financial, social and medical need and help them lead productive lives. Since its founding in 1997, Texas Chapter has awarded more than $9.7-million in grants and has touched the lives of more than three million children.
Source: NASCAR Wire Service
