In 1983, Rick Hendrick set his sights on joining the NASCAR Cup Series and sought out Dale Earnhardt during a test at Charlotte Motor Speedway, aiming to bring Earnhardt on board. The Rick Hendrick NASCAR signing attempt became a pivotal moment, signaling Hendrick’s ambition as he tried, unsuccessfully, to secure one of the sport’s greatest talents for his fledgling operation.
A Chance Meeting in the Garage and the Early Days
During the initial stages of Hendrick’s NASCAR plans, a car was ready, but he still needed a driver. At a Charlotte Motor Speedway test session, Rick Hendrick invited Dale Earnhardt to try out his new vehicle, leading to a now-famous photograph of the two standing together in the garage area. Hendrick’s admiration for Earnhardt was clear, and the session was more than just a test drive—it was a recruitment bid.
The Recruitment Effort and Hendrick’s Reflections
Hendrick openly discussed this historic test with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr Download podcast, emphasizing his hopes and the atmosphere around the offer.
“Well, we just asked him to come over and shake the car down,”
Rick Hendrick stated via the Dale Jr Download.
“So, we started talking and of course, I wanted him to drive the car. And you know, it was a startup team. No history. No nothing.”
He continued,
“But, at least we had a relationship. And if you see the picture, he drove the car, then I drove the car. In a suit with a white shirt and his helmet.”
When asked jokingly by Dale Earnhardt Jr. about the lap times, Hendrick quipped,
“A little bit faster than your dad. I’m going to stick with it too.”
Admitting the chances of actually signing Earnhardt were slim, Hendrick explained his persistence,
“Zero [chances]. But, I’m a car salesman, I mean I’ve got to try, right?”
Evolving NASCAR Careers and What Happened Next
Dale Earnhardt ultimately declined Hendrick’s offer, opting instead to join Richard Childress Racing in 1984, where he built his legendary reputation and became a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Meanwhile, Rick Hendrick signed Geoffrey Bodine to race the No. 5 car, who achieved three victories in the team’s debut season, marking the beginning of Hendrick Motorsports’ significant success in NASCAR Cup competition.
Over time, Hendrick Motorsports amassed a record 15 driver championships, first claiming the title in 1995. Anecdotes from those early years—like the story of Dale Earnhardt Jr. once owning a Geoff Bodine hat that his father reportedly set on fire—reflect both the intense rivalries and personal moments surrounding these NASCAR legends.
Garage Camaraderie and Industry Impact
Before the high-stakes test, Dale Earnhardt had been known to introduce Rick Hendrick around the garage in 1982 as
“a fellow who wants to go NASCAR racing.”
By the following year, Hendrick had become involved with the Robert Gee Superspeedway Late Model Sportsman operation, a connection due in part to Gee being Earnhardt’s ex-father-in-law. The friendships and mentorships formed during this period helped shape the NASCAR community and influenced future careers.
The Legacy of an Unsigned Deal
While Hendrick’s attempt to sign Dale Earnhardt did not produce the hoped-for partnership, it became instrumental in launching Hendrick Motorsports. The story is now part of NASCAR lore, reflecting both the ambition that defines the sport and the relationships that carry its history forward. Rick Hendrick’s drive and persistence ultimately pushed his organization to great heights, even if the greatest driver of his era took a different path. Fans continue to revisit this turning point, contemplating how a single signing decision might have reshaped racing history.
Dale started introducing Rick around the garage area in and around 1982 as, “a fellow who wants to go NASCAR racing.”
By 1983, Rick Hendrick had bought into the Robert Gee Superspeedway Late Model Sportsman operation.
Robert Gee was Dale’s ex-Father-in-law and Grandaddy to… pic.twitter.com/kBogyEviuv
— The Dale Earnhardt Archive (@ArchivesDe) September 1, 2025
Rick Hendrick tried to recruit Dale Earnhardt? 🏁
Go check out this DJD Classic episode with Mr. H on the @DaleJr Download! 🎙️
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YouTube: https://t.co/pmsXuuSXrZ pic.twitter.com/5cjz7D8ch1— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) December 30, 2025
