Next month in the grand ball room at the Waldorf Astoria, Jimmie Johnson will be awarded another NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.
At that time, Rick Hendrick will add another feather to his cap, which already contains more feathers than a chicken processing plant.
Will the next feather in Rick Hendrick's cap be the one labeled "dynasty?"
Rick Hendrick was born Joseph Riddick Hendrick III on July 12, 1949. At the tender age of 26, he opened a Chevrolet dealership in Bennettsville, S.C.
This dealership was the beginning of what is now the Hendrick Automotive Group, a network of 80 dealerships spread over 10 states with annual revenues of $4 billion.
Can success alone be enough for a dynasty?
If success is measured in dollars, then Rick Hendrick is a very successful man. Is this financial power what makes his race teams so successful? Are massive amounts of money what it takes to be a success in the professional sports arena, or does it take more?
It is a well-known fact that George Steinbrenner boast the largest payroll in professional sports, well over $100 million a year, but, has had limited success recently, and no world championships since 2001.
The Seattle Mariners are also in the $100 million payroll club. In 2008, they lost 101 games out of a possible 160.
Rick Hendrick operates four Sprint Cup teams, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon being the most successful.
According to Forbes magazine, annual operating budget for each team is approximately $10 million. Hendrick drivers have posted four championships since 2001, four times the success of the Yankees, and a savings of $560 million.
Even with these staggering numbers, Hendrick Motorsports is second to Roush-Fenway in annual operating budgets.
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about 1 month ago
David, great piece and yes I'd say dynasty. Good to see you back my friend.
about 1 month ago
Excllent article, David. It's all about getting the right people, plus he doesn't panic like Roush does and swap his teams crew chiefs & crews around. Had he left Edwards and Osbounre together, who knows they could already have won a title and Jimmy might not have had three in a row.
about 1 month ago
Great job David.
Hendrick sure knows how to run his company and treat his people. He is one of the most succesful people in NASCAR. I'm just not sure if we can throw around the word Dynasty.....yet.
from about 1 month ago
Nine Sprint Cup Championships
Three Camping World Truck Series Championships = DYNASTY
One Nationwide Series Championship
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the nice comments Kelly and SM. Just for the record though, Hendrick still hasnt eclipsed Petty Enterprises and their 10 championships. Lee Petty had 3 and King Richard had 7, all 10 were as team owners/drivers. David
about 1 month ago
Great job on this piece.. it's all about people. And when the people are in place anything is possible.
about 1 month ago
David, this is a very well written piece. Hendrick definitely deserves a place in NASCAR history, along with several of his drivers.
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