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Charlotte Chamber Names NASCAR Legend Its 2016 Citizen Of The Carolinas
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The Charlotte Chamber has named local car dealer and NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick its 2016 Citizen of the Carolinas.
The chamber said in a press release that Hendrick was chosen for the honor for his contributions to Charlotte's business community, his influence within NASCAR and his work with local organizations, including Levine Children's Hospital and Together We Feed Charlotte.
"Rick embodies the collaborative spirit that sets Charlotte apart from any other major city in the United States," chamber CEO and President Bob Morgan said in a statement.
Last year, the chamber gave the award to former White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles. Other past honorees include former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan.
Hendrick, at age 26, became a Chevrolet dealer in 1976 with his first franchise in Bennettsville, S.C. By 1978, he moved to Charlotte and purchased City Chevrolet, which now serves as the flagship location for Hendrick Automotive Group. The privately-held dealership group employs more than 10,000 people and operates more than 130 retail franchises across 14 states.
In 1984, Hendrick founded Hendrick Motorsports, now headquartered on 140 acres in Concord and housing more than 600 employees. In February, Forbes estimated the race team had the highest value at $375 million. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Chase Elliott race in Hendrick-owned cars.
In a statement, Hendrick said he was humbled to receive the award.
"We've been fortunate to call Charlotte home for nearly 40 years," he said. "It's been such a wonderful place for our family, and now our grandchildren are growing up here. I cannot imagine a more giving community or a better city to live and do business."
The chamber will present Hendrick with its most prestigious honor at the organization's annual meeting in December.
The chamber said in a press release that Hendrick was chosen for the honor for his contributions to Charlotte's business community, his influence within NASCAR and his work with local organizations, including Levine Children's Hospital and Together We Feed Charlotte.
"Rick embodies the collaborative spirit that sets Charlotte apart from any other major city in the United States," chamber CEO and President Bob Morgan said in a statement.
Last year, the chamber gave the award to former White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles. Other past honorees include former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan.
Hendrick, at age 26, became a Chevrolet dealer in 1976 with his first franchise in Bennettsville, S.C. By 1978, he moved to Charlotte and purchased City Chevrolet, which now serves as the flagship location for Hendrick Automotive Group. The privately-held dealership group employs more than 10,000 people and operates more than 130 retail franchises across 14 states.
In 1984, Hendrick founded Hendrick Motorsports, now headquartered on 140 acres in Concord and housing more than 600 employees. In February, Forbes estimated the race team had the highest value at $375 million. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Chase Elliott race in Hendrick-owned cars.
In a statement, Hendrick said he was humbled to receive the award.
"We've been fortunate to call Charlotte home for nearly 40 years," he said. "It's been such a wonderful place for our family, and now our grandchildren are growing up here. I cannot imagine a more giving community or a better city to live and do business."
The chamber will present Hendrick with its most prestigious honor at the organization's annual meeting in December.
