Rick Hendrick: Can We Say Dynasty Now?

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.   

When it comes to engines, Jack Roush and Robert Yates are at the top of the list.

“Yates horsepower” is a common phrase among NASCAR fans, broadcasters and media.

Roush engines are known for reliability and sipping fuel.

It's rare you hear anything about a Hendrick engine, except when one blows up.

Hendrick cars are the only ones in history to cross the finish line first, second and third at the Daytona 500.

Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. had Hendrick engines in their cars when they finished first and second at Daytona in 2001.

Since 1996, Hendrick engines have posted eight championships, Roush and Yates engines have a combined two.

Foundation is one of the keys to a good business. Surround yourself with good employees, strong management, and you will be successful.

At one of Rick Hendrick's many Chevrolet dealerships, a body shop manager is meeting with a district salesman. The salesman has worked hard and given every pitch he can for his product. Still, the manager tells the salesman, “Mr. Hendrick says we are sticking with our current product.”

As the meeting ends, the salesman asked one final question. “What will it take to get Mr. Hendrick to try our product?”

“Sponsor one of his race cars.”

That answer would bring together Jeffrey Michael Gordon with Dupont Automotive Finishes and set in motion one of the most successful driver sponsorship deals since Richard Petty and STP.  

Is it possible for one man to actually be a dynasty?

Dale Earnhardt Sr. built an empire before his untimely death in 2001. Since that time, DEI has slowly crumbled.

No one knows for sure why this is happening; some say its Theresa’s emotional terrorism, and others say that without Dale Sr., his empire is destined to sink into the corporate quicksand.

Either way, the absence of Dale Earnhardt Sr. has had profound effects on DEI.

In 1997 Rick Hendrick, under a plea agreement, pleaded guilty to felony charges of mail fraud. Part of that plea agreement, which is public record, was 12 months of house arrest, during this confinement; he was to have no contact or dealings with Hendrick Motorsports or The Hendrick Automotive Group.

During the absence of Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon reeled off the two most successful seasons in his NASCAR career.

He won the Winston Million, tied Richard Petty’s record for most wins in a single season and won back-to-back championships. During his speech at the awards banquet, a teary eyed Gordon expressed how tough it was without his friend and mentor Rick Hendrick.

Is that dynasty feather already installed and we have yet to acknowledge it?

A tour through the Hendrick Motorsports complex is breathtaking. It is hard not to notice a large wall sign located in the area where they build Jeff Gordon’s cars.

This sign has 10 goals listed on it.

In 1998, after securing a third championship, crew chief Ray Evernham was being interviewed by "60 Minutes."

This sign was brought into question. Each goal was dissected and Evernham said he placed a check mark when he felt it was accomplished.

“Item number 10 is still blank, why is that?” he was asked. “That’s for the people to decide” said Evernham, “not me.”

Item number 10 is one simple word: dynasty.

Merriam-Webster defines dynasty as: a succession of rulers of the same line of descent, or, a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time.

What exact criteria, if any, make one worthy of the title of dynasty?

Is Rick Hendrick, through all his success, diversification, and even personal tragedy, a dynasty?