Hendrick Motorsports and Atrium Health have officially launched their latest collaboration, the Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center, designed to support the team’s pit crew members and employees in Concord, North Carolina. This expansion of the Hendrick Motorsports Atrium Health partnership marks a significant investment in both sports performance and workplace wellness for staff in the Charlotte area.
Athletic Center Brings Advanced Resources for Teams
Spanning 35,000 square feet, the athletic center houses a versatile gym, up-to-date locker rooms, and extensive areas for physical therapy, providing comprehensive care for both fitness and recovery. The new facility also features spaces dedicated to sports science research and a closed-loop pit stop practice circuit, blending traditional training with high-tech support to elevate crew performance.
Purpose-built to meet the evolving needs of modern NASCAR teams, this center emphasizes the importance of preventative care, performance optimization, and total wellbeing for those working behind the scenes. The facility aims to set a new benchmark for motorsport support, ensuring crew members have access to top-tier medical and athletic facilities throughout the year.
Ray Evernham’s Enduring Impact Recognized
Ray Evernham, the veteran crew chief behind three Cup Series championships with Jeff Gordon and an inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, has long been credited as a transformative figure in the evolution of pit crew standards. His innovative vision shifted pit crews from informal teams to specialized athletes, bringing professionalism and strategy to this essential role.
Rick Hendrick highlighted Evernham’s influence during a press conference, recalling the transformation his methods brought to the sport:
“I had never seen anything like it. Our guys would change the tires; they had big tummies, smoking cigarettes. That’s how pit crews went. You just pick anybody on the team and say, ‘Hey! You’re changing tires today.”
— Rick Hendrick, Team Owner
As a tribute to Evernham’s legacy and innovative approach, the conference room in the new Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center now bears his name. This dedication cements his place in Hendrick Motorsports history and serves as a daily reminder of his contributions to NASCAR.
Ongoing Commitment to Excellence in Motorsport
With this partnership and facility, Hendrick Motorsports continues to raise the standard for crew development and wellness in racing, reaffirming its commitment to providing first-class resources for pit crew members and employees alike. The significance of this development may extend beyond one team, serving as a model for how modern motorsports can care for their workforce, invest in innovation, and honor those who paved the way for progress.
Rick Hendrick tells Ray Evernham he has named the conference room at the new Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center after him. Ray took it way past where others were with pit crews and this will continue that first class effort for pit crews. pic.twitter.com/SPz9nBySLD
— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) January 22, 2026
