Hendrick Motorsports has unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration with Atrium Health, forming the cornerstone of a holistic approach to athlete care and organizational wellness. As part of the Hendrick Motorsports partnership with Atrium Health, the Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center is set to become a hub for innovation and performance on the Concord campus, officially opening its doors later this month.
New Facility Elevates Health Support for Team and Employees
This agreement gives Atrium Health both naming rights and a central role in managing the newly constructed 35,000-square-foot Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center. The facility is poised to deliver comprehensive wellness and medical solutions, providing state-of-the-art resources for more than 50 pit crew athletes and supporting Hendrick Motorsports’ Charlotte-area employees in their health journeys. Staffed by Atrium Health clinicians, the center exemplifies a shared commitment to keeping athletes and employees in top condition throughout the demanding NASCAR season.
Comprehensive Features Address Diverse Health Needs
Designed to focus on peak performance, the athletic center houses a high-powered gym outfitted with cutting-edge equipment, advanced locker rooms, and a team operations center critical for race-day logistics. The campus also features a nutrition-focused area, film and meeting rooms tailored for athlete development, and dedicated zones for injury rehabilitation, hydrotherapy, and sports science research. Notably, a closed-loop pit stop practice circuit allows simultaneous training for two crews, emphasizing readiness and efficiency for race events.
Atrium Health’s Expanding Role in NASCAR and Beyond
Starting with the 2026 NASCAR season, Atrium Health’s brand will be prominently featured across all Hendrick Motorsports teams, with its logo visible on fire suits, crew uniforms, training apparel, and even team equipment at the track. This marks Atrium Health’s deepening involvement in the motorsports sector. The organization is already lauded for its vast sports medicine outreach, supporting over 100 high schools and 20 professional and collegiate teams across North and South Carolina, with national recognition for orthopedic care. The health system further strengthens the industry through ongoing initiatives such as the NASCAR Day Giveathon and dedicated sports medicine coverage at marquee events like the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Executive Perspectives Highlight Partnership Vision
The leaders of both organizations expressed their enthusiasm for the initiative, citing mutual values centered on excellence and teamwork. Gene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health, framed the partnership as a step forward in performance and care:
“Partnering with Hendrick Motorsports is a defining opportunity to deliver world‑class, innovative medical care to one of the highest‑performance cultures in NASCAR. In both health care and auto racing, excellence is engineered – driven by precision, powered by state‑of‑the‑art technology and made possible by exceptional teammates. With Atrium Health’s nationally recognized clinicians embedded on the Hendrick campus, this partnership will help keep their record‑setting athletes fully on the throttle and give every team member faster, more seamless access to care – on and off the track.” – Gene A. Woods, CEO, Advocate Health
Rick Hendrick, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports, underscored the significance of the partnership with Atrium Health for both competitive success and welfare:
“People are the foundation of our organization, and supporting their health and performance is essential to our success. Our new partnership with Atrium Health brings best-in-class clinical and performance resources directly to our campus. There’s no facility like this in the world of auto racing. It’s a game changer. The Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center will help our athletes perform at their best and give our teammates convenient access to high-quality health care. We value the shared commitment to people that defines both of our organizations, and we look forward to a truly incredible collaboration in the coming years.” – Rick Hendrick, Owner, Hendrick Motorsports
Dr. Claude T. Moorman, president of Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute, pointed to the unique opportunity this brings to NASCAR’s rigorous season:
“We are proud to join Hendrick Motorsports in creating a facility that integrates sports medicine, performance services and clinical care. Our focus will be on supporting athlete fitness, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as optimizing performance throughout the NASCAR season, which is the longest season in professional sports. This partnership allows us to deliver high-level care in a purpose-built environment that meets the needs of both elite athletes and the broader workforce of the Hendrick organization.” – Dr. Claude T. Moorman, President, Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute
Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, noted the sport’s demanding environment and the benefits of this integrated approach:
“The demands of NASCAR are different from any other sport – the schedule is relentless, the margins are extremely tight, and performance is about preparation as much as it is execution. This new facility allows our coaches and staff to work side by side with Atrium Health clinicians, ensuring every aspect of training, recovery and readiness is aligned. Everything in this space is designed around our athletes and our teammates. At the end of the day, it always comes back to people, and this new partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting them the right way every day.” – Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports
Significance and Broader Impact for the Sport
This new partnership between Hendrick Motorsports and Atrium Health signals a transformative moment in the intersection of healthcare and high-performance racing. By combining expertise in sports medicine with the relentless drive of NASCAR teams, the relationship is poised to foster new standards for athlete preparation, injury recovery, and overall organizational well-being. The Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center stands as a physical testament to this collaboration, expected to influence approaches to athlete support across the sport and serve as a model for other organizations nationwide. As health, preparation, and competition intersect more closely, the coming NASCAR seasons are likely to see enhanced performance and recovery strategies benefiting not only athletes but also the broader staff and workforce involved in the high-adrenaline world of motorsports.
