Rick Hendrick nearly signed Richard Petty, but ‘it blew up on him’

While HMS is now one of the most successful, richest teams, they had to navigate through tough times to get there.

Rick Hendrick nearly signed Richard Petty, but ‘it blew up on him’

Rick Hendrick and Richard Petty (Via IMAGO)

Rick Hendrick, the visionary force behind Hendrick Motorsports, recently unveiled a fascinating chapter from the team’s embryonic years. A potential alliance with racing royalty Richard Petty, coupled with the prospect of partnering with CK Spurlock and Kenny Rogers, promised an all-star venture.

Rick Hendricks sat down with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio to share about almost landing “The King” and HMS’s modest beginnings. Opportunity knocked, and Hendrick vividly recalled when the ambitious collaboration took shape. He shared that Max Mullerman, his sponsor, proposed a partnership with Kenny Rogers, CK Spurlock, and Richard Petty as drivers. 

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Yet, dreams collided with reality, and the deal unraveled. He said, “So, we were going down that road, thinking we had Richard on board, but it blew up on us.” Hendrick noted the absence of a sponsor and CK Spurlock’s involvement with Gambler Chassis’ new program. “It all fell apart, and there I was with Harry and myself, and no sponsor,” shared Hendrick, peeling back the layers of the past.

In those nascent days, the team operated on what Hendrick describes as a “shoestring deal,” utilizing a blend of Chevrolet and Chrysler components. This resourceful approach was emblematic of the tenacity required to navigate the tumultuous landscape of NASCAR in its early days. 

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Rick Hendrick shares the early challenges that propelled his team as NASCAR’s richest

He shared, “When we built the cars, Harry had Chrysler transmissions and Chrysler rear ends. We were running a Chevrolet with Chrysler gearboxes and Chrysler rear gears—I was renting them from Harry.” He added, “[We were] renting the shop, renting the equipment and we had, in the very beginning, five people.”

Rick Hendrick
Rick Hendrick (Credits: Forbes)

Despite the setbacks, Hendrick Motorsports emerged as a powerhouse in NASCAR. Recent victories, like William Byron’s marking the 300th Cup Series win, attest to their resilience. Hendrick’s journey from those early struggles to the summit of motorsports reflects his tenacity and strategic acumen.

Rick Hendrick, a retired racing car driver and businessman, is a titan in NASCAR. His empire, which includes Hendrick Motorsports and the Hendrick Automotive Group, has notched up almost 200 NASCAR wins and 12 titles. Hendrick’s success extends beyond the racetrack to his ventures, making him one of the wealthiest figures in the NASCAR paddock.

Hendrick Motorsports, worth more than $315 million and making over $175 million yearly, is a standout in racing. From nearly signing Richard Petty to overcoming money troubles, Hendrick’s journey shows the unbeatable spirit that makes legends. Now, Hendrick Motorsports symbolizes a lasting legacy built on toughness and never giving up.

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