Rick Hendrick’s leadership impact continues to shape Hendrick Motorsports’ success in NASCAR, a fact that both insiders and rivals openly acknowledge. Recent comments from figures such as Corey LaJoie and Alex Bowman highlight how Hendrick’s approach has fostered enduring respect, loyalty, and remarkable achievement throughout the sport.
Leadership That Fosters Loyalty and Respect
Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, has built much more than a winning racing operation since first opening his single garage in 1984. His style is characterized by humility and a culture that puts people first, according to those closest to the organization. Over the decades, this approach has propelled the team past 550 victories, making Hendrick the most successful team owner in NASCAR history. The journey from modest beginnings to dominance didn’t happen overnight; it is the result of cumulative hard work, faithfulness, and integrity.
Many within and outside the team point to Hendrick’s ability to earn steadfast loyalty from drivers and crew members, not by demanding respect, but by inspiring it through his actions and values. Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, expressed this sentiment, stating,
“Mr. Hendrick has never demanded respect. His respect is earned, and you want to make him proud.”
— Jeff Andrews, General Manager and President, Hendrick Motorsports.
Corey LaJoie Reflects on Hendrick’s Influence
NASCAR driver Corey LaJoie has spoken at length about the deep impact Rick Hendrick has made, not just within the confines of Hendrick Motorsports, but across the entire NASCAR garage. In a notable interview with The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck, LaJoie detailed the value he places on recognition from individuals like Hendrick, showing that respect in the industry counts more to him than popularity on social media. LaJoie said,
“I got such great feedback from not only the fans, like people in the industry that I have a lot of respect for, like Rick Hendrick. I then realized how much equity I had in the garage and that I care way more about that equity than whatever equity is leading the fan base on X, because if you looked at X, (the fan base) turned on me for whatever reason.”
— Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Driver.
LaJoie’s high regard for Hendrick is longstanding. Back in 2020, LaJoie took a bold, personal step by presenting Hendrick with a handwritten letter, humbly asking for a chance to drive for the team. Hendrick was touched, calling it
“the first time I’ve gotten a letter from the heart,”
and adding,
“impressed with him before and am more impressed after.”
— Rick Hendrick, Team Owner. Although LaJoie did not secure a permanent place with Hendrick Motorsports, he gained a special opportunity in 2023 by filling in for Chase Elliott in the No. 9 Chevrolet at Gateway during Elliott’s suspension—a significant moment for LaJoie and a rare glimpse inside the workings of the storied team.
Despite not becoming a full-time Hendrick driver—largely due to the team’s existing lineup plans and complicated sponsorship considerations—LaJoie has maintained a strong, positive outlook on Hendrick’s influence. Even as LaJoie attracted criticism from some NASCAR fans and fellow drivers for comments perceived as disrespectful towards lower-tier racing series, he has remained steadfast in his appreciation for Mr. H, showing no sign of bitterness over his near-miss with the team.
Hendrick’s Earning of Widespread Recognition
Within the garage area, Rick Hendrick’s style garners near-universal admiration. HMS driver Alex Bowman summed up this reputation, remarking,
“He’s the most respected person I’ve been around. When he talks, everybody listens.”
— Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Driver. Bowman’s observation is echoed by employees and competitors alike: Hendrick’s gentle authority, shaped by decades of loyal leadership and care for his people, creates a culture where top talent can thrive.
This trust and mutual respect have tangible effects on team performance. Crew members and drivers note that Hendrick’s belief in them drives a shared determination to exceed expectations, as demonstrated by Kyle Larson’s clinching his second Cup Series title this season. Hendrick’s enduring influence isn’t limited to victories on Sundays; it also shapes how the team prepares, innovates, and supports one another year after year.
2025: A Year of Unparalleled Success for Hendrick Motorsports
This year has proven to be especially fruitful for Hendrick Motorsports. The team’s renowned engine department delivered 28 wins combined in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series—the second-highest single-season total in team history and just a few shy of their all-time record. These results spotlight Hendrick’s ability not only to lead but to nurture excellence at every level of his organization.
Scott Maxim, director of the Hendrick Motorsports powertrain team, reflected on the achievement:
“It’s one of the very best years that we’ve had. When you think of September of 2023, we were at 500 wins, so we’ve had 55 in basically two years and two months. Twenty-eight is amazing, especially only in two series.”
— Scott Maxim, Director of Powertrain, Hendrick Motorsports. Maxim credits the competitive spirit sustaining the department over the past two decades to the example set by Hendrick, noting the team’s unbroken string of 10 or more victories every season since 2003 and a five-year average of over 20 wins annually.
A Competitive Edge Rooted in Character
For Maxim and others in the organization, Rick Hendrick’s combination of competitiveness and empathy remains the cornerstone of the team’s ongoing dominance. Maxim praised Hendrick’s unique mix of drive and compassion, stating,
“We’re all very competitive, but there is no greater competitor I think I’ve ever met in my life than Mr. Hendrick,”
and,
“He’s a caring and compassionate person, but he’s also driven to compete. That passion is easy for us to follow. That path for which he sets, we’re all cut much of the same cloth, but he sets that tone and makes it a lot easier for us to have that same passion and follow.”
— Scott Maxim, Director of Powertrain, Hendrick Motorsports.
This attitude, deeply rooted in Hendrick’s leadership philosophy, inspires everyone from mechanics to headline drivers. Their drive to achieve is not imposed, but sparked by wanting to represent someone they respect so strongly. Hendrick’s leadership impact continues to set the standard in NASCAR, shaping how rival organizations measure themselves both on and off the track.
What Lies Ahead for Hendrick and NASCAR
With the 2025 season capping another historic chapter for Hendrick Motorsports, the organization shows no signs of slowing its pace. Rick Hendrick is widely expected to return in 2026, leading a team poised for even greater things as both the competition and its own standards rise. The loyalty he has cultivated ensures a deep bench of talent and the stability necessary for further years of success.
For NASCAR as a whole, Hendrick’s continued participation and leadership promise to elevate the sport’s standards and maintain its profile at the highest level of American motorsport. As competitors and fans look ahead, the influence Hendrick brings—fueled not by force, but by earned respect and heartfelt investment—will remain instrumental in shaping the future of racing.
Got a knowing chuckle out of this part pic.twitter.com/ZRVdyDCjzF
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) November 26, 2025
