Billionaire Rick Hendrick's Loyalty to Employees and Sponsors Shapes Motorsports Legacy Before amassing a fortune in motorsports, Rick Hendrick learned the value of community on his family’s tobacco farm. Growing up in a rural area where neighbors relied on one another during tough times, he internalized the idea that success is built on collective effort. That philosophy became the cornerstone of his career, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of 2020. When the pandemic forced businesses nationwide into survival mode, Hendrick made a bold decision that defied industry norms. In April 2020, as over 20 million jobs vanished in the U.S., Hendrick Automotive Group—his sprawling network of 95 dealerships across 13 states—faced a critical choice. Instead of laying off employees, he opted to pay 80% of their salaries while maintaining operations. “I just couldn’t think of laying people off,” he later explained, recalling a Friday night conversation with his wife, Linda. This decision, made amid the closure of California dealerships, prioritized his workforce over short-term financial survival. The gamble was significant. In 2020, Hendrick’s company generated $10 billion in revenue, sold 219,000 vehicles, and serviced 2.4 million cars. Supporting 10,000 employees during months of economic uncertainty required immense risk. Yet, Hendrick admitted to sleepless nights but emphasized that loyalty to his team paid off. “We kept our people working and had one of our best years ever,” he told Forbes. This approach was not charity but a deeply personal belief in mutual trust. Employees who stayed through the crisis often expressed gratitude years later, with some crediting Hendrick with saving their families. “When I walk through the dealership, teammates still stop me to say, ‘Thank you. You saved my house.#chase_elliott #rick_hendrick #linda_hendrick #axalta #uni_first
Denny Hamlin Tips Cap to Elliott, Runs Second at Texas FORT WORTH, Texas — Denny Hamlin secured a second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway, narrowly trailing winner Chase Elliott by 0.407 seconds in a race marked by Toyota’s dominance and strategic maneuvering. The Cup Series event, held on May 3, 2026, saw Hamlin start fourth and quickly take the lead from Carson Hocevar within 20 laps, setting the tone for a competitive battle. Despite his early momentum, Hamlin ultimately fell short of victory, crediting Elliott’s mastery of the 1.5-mile track for the outcome. From the start, Toyota’s performance was evident as Hamlin, along with his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell, surged to the front. Ty Gibbs of JGR finished sixth in the opening stage, while Bell, who had been in a strong position, was forced to retire after a collision with Todd Gilliland in the final laps of the first segment. Hamlin, who had been closing in on Bell, described the incident as a “50/50 call” and expressed gratitude for the outcome. The race’s second stage saw Hamlin regain ground after a chaotic restart, earning seven points and finishing fourth. However, Elliott’s control of the pace proved decisive in the final stage. The No. 9 car and Tyler Reddick pulled ahead, with Hamlin’s No. 11 team struggling to keep pace. As the race entered its final laps, Hamlin opted to stay out on old tires rather than pit, believing his team’s strategy would allow him to restart on the front row. “We were running what we ran on new tires,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of maintaining speed. Elliott’s victory marked his second win of the season and the earliest he has ever achieved a second triumph in his 11 full-time NASCAR Cup Series career.#toyota #denny_hamlin #joe_gibbs_racing #texas_motor_speedway #chase_elliott
NASCAR Star Ryan Preece Rants at Ty Gibbs Before Suspect Crash at Texas Ryan Preece delivered a heated radio rant directed at Ty Gibbs moments before the latter crashed into the wall during the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. The incident occurred at lap 101 when Gibbs’ car made contact with Preece’s, causing a spin that led to a crash. Chase Elliott emerged as the race winner after capitalizing on Corey Heim’s inopportune pit stop, taking the lead with just over 100 laps remaining. Preece’s radio exchange, which was overheard by race officials, included a direct reference to Gibbs’ car number (54) and expressed frustration over Gibbs’ driving. His remarks included phrases like “When I get to that 54, I’m done with him,” “F---ing idiot,” and “I can’t stand when idiots like him have fast race cars where they can do stupid s--- and get away with it.” The rant appeared to foreshadow the crash, as Gibbs’ car slammed into the wall shortly after. Gibbs’ car sustained damage to the right front, resulting in “mega vibrations” that rendered it inoperable. He was able to return to the garage but was forced to retire from the race. After the event, Gibbs reposted Preece’s rant on X, adding a comment that read “Hmm, at least he is honest” alongside an exasperated face emoji. In a post-race interview with NBC Sports, Gibbs explained the mechanical failure, stating that the crash broke a weld on the front clip and that returning to the track was not a viable option. Preece declined to comment on the incident when asked by reporters, responding with a flat “no.” However, he addressed the broader issue of respect on the track, stating, “I hate that he wrecked, but decisions you make on the racetrack have repercussions. I try to race everybody with an amount of respect I’d like in return.#ty_gibbs #texas_motor_speedway #ryan_preece #wurth_400 #chase_elliott
