The Amelia announces Rick Hendrick as their 2024 Honoree

Get ready race fans! The Amelia Island Concours has selected Rick Hendrick as their 2024 honoree. Mr. Hendrick is no stranger to honors in the automotive community. He is the founder and owner of Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Motorsports. This earns him two distinct titles. The most successful car dealer in America and the winningest owner in NASCAR history. 

In 1976, Hendrick became the youngest dealer principle in GM history by taking the reins at a Chevrolet dealership in Bennettsville, SC. From that humble beginning, Mr. Hendrick grew his dealership empire to 131 dealerships in 13 states. 

1984 saw the creation of Hendrick Motorsports. Starting with one NASCAR team, Mr. Hendrick again turned into the gold standard. In 2021, Hendrick Motorsports became the winningest team in NASCAR history. Surpassing the the Royal Family of NASCAR, Petty Enterprises. Hendrick Motorsports also holds the record for NASCAR championship titles. Holding an impressive 18 overall titles. In 2015, Mr. Hendrick was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

This story may ring a bell. Hendrick's story was loosely used for the film Days of Thunder. 

This year, as they celebrate their 40th anniversary, Rick Hendrick will be honored as the 2024 honoree of the Amelia Island Concours February 29th through March 3rd. The event will feature a special class of cars from Hendrick Motorsport history, including the Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 built to tackle the 2023. 24hours of LeMans. We're hoping the Cole Trickle, City Chevrolet Lumina will be there too!

Image courtesy of Jasen Vinlove.