Hendrick’s Pursuit of a Legend: The Untold Story Behind the Photo with Dale Earnhardt
A captivating image of Rick Hendrick and Dale Earnhardt standing together in the garage at Charlotte Motor Speedway reveals a pivotal moment in NASCAR history – a moment when Hendrick attempted to recruit the seven-time champion before Earnhardt ultimately forged his legendary career with Richard Childress Racing.
In 1983, Hendrick was laying the groundwork for Hendrick Motorsports, a team that would become a powerhouse in the NASCAR Cup Series. A car was built, but a driver remained elusive. Hendrick turned to Earnhardt, hoping to secure his services, but the attempt proved unsuccessful.
The now-iconic photograph, captured during a test session, offers a glimpse into this early courtship. Hendrick reached out to Earnhardt to “shake the car down,” as he later described it, and together began the process of trying to sign him. However, Earnhardt ultimately chose a different path, debuting with Richard Childress Racing in 1984.
Despite missing out on Earnhardt, Hendrick quickly found success with Geoffrey Bodine, who piloted the No. 5 car in the team’s inaugural season, securing three race wins. A humorous anecdote reveals a glimpse into the Earnhardt family dynamic; Dale Earnhardt Jr. once owned a Geoff Bodine hat that his father famously burned.
fast forward to 2026, and Hendrick motorsports boasts an impressive 15 driver championships in the Cup Series, with the first victory coming in 1995. This success underscores the team’s enduring legacy, even without the presence of Earnhardt behind the wheel.
Hendrick recently reflected on his attempt to sign Earnhardt, sharing insights from an interview on the Dale Jr Download.”We just asked him to come over and shake the car down,” he stated. “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, highlighting the existing relationship and a playful moment captured in the photograph.”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 pressed by Dale earnhardt Jr. on his speed,Hendrick jokingly claimed,”A little bit faster than your dad. I’m going to stick with it to.”
Hendrick readily admitted his recruitment efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. “Oh yeah,” he confirmed, “Zero [chances]. But, I’m a car salesman, I mean I’ve got to try, right?”
The influence of Earnhardt and Bodine extended beyond the racetrack, even inspiring elements of popular culture. The thrilling rental car scene in the film Days of Thunder reportedly drew inspiration from the dynamic between these two racing icons.
A post from The Dale Earnhardt Archive on September 1, 2025, further illuminates the early connection between Hendrick and Earnhardt, revealing that Earnhardt was already introducing Hendrick around the garage area as early as 1982 as “a fellow who wants to go NASCAR racing.” By 1983, Hendrick had invested in the Robert Gee Superspeedway Late Model Sportsman operation, a team with ties to Earnhardt’s family.
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The story of Hendrick’s pursuit of Earnhardt serves as a reminder that even the most prosperous teams face setbacks, and that sometimes, the greatest legends forge thier own paths. While Hendrick didn’t land his initial target,he built a dynasty,and Earnhardt cemented his place as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.
