Rick Hendrick has a succession plan in place, but has no plans to retire just yet. Getty Images
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick spoke about the racing team in an “extensive interview” for the latest Sports Legends of the Carolinas series, according to a Q&A with Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer. talked about the future. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: If you retire, will former driver Jeff Gordon replace you as head of Hendrick Motorsports?
Hendrick: Yes, Jeff, and my son-in-law Marshall Carlson, now president of Hendrick Motorsports. And my grandson Hendrick, who loves the business. He’s a gearhead. He is a senior in high school this year and works at a dealership. Everyone really likes him and he loves it too.
Q: How many hours a week do you still work?
Hendrick: Don’t ask my wife. I think it’s over 60. And that doesn’t include Sunday when I go to the races.
Q: It doesn’t look like you’re nearing retirement.
Hendrick: I’m 75 years old. I remember going into Daytona as the youngest guy on pit road and seeing guys like Junior Johnson and the Wood Brothers and Richard Petty and thinking, “I don’t need to be here.” . I was in awe. And now Joe (Gibbs) and (Jack) Roush and (Roger) Penske, I think we’re all about the same age (and all the active working NASCAR owners). I love people. We insist that our employees are our greatest asset, and we value them first. That’s why I always wanted to be private and never want to be public.
Q: What is the difference between private and public schools?
Hendrick: When you’re a publicly traded company, there’s pressure from your board of directors to do things to grow the business. People are not a priority. Profit is our top priority. And (I) like to take care of my people. I have the best insurance for them. I have a disaster fund. This year, we provided 350 scholarships to the children of our employees. …I give away Rolexes to everyone (at Hendrick Motorsports) that have been here for 20 years, and this year I gave away 22 of them. When you’re my age, it’s rewarding to meet all the people you’ve grown up with at your company (Charlotte Observer, 10/10).
