Ricky Hendrick Steps Out of No. 5 Chevrolet

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 10, 2002) -- Hendrick Motorsports driver Ricky Hendrick will step out of the No. 5 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet for the remainder of the 2002 NASCAR Busch Series season and end his career as a full-time stock car driver due to lingering effects of a shoulder injury suffered on March 2, 2002. “This was an incredibly hard decision to make,” said Hendrick, who underwent extensive shoulder surgery following a severe crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “I have an obligation to give my sponsors and my team the best possible chance at success on the race track and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not able to deliver that. “After a lot of soul searching, I’ve decided to step away from the driver’s seat to pursue other opportunities within Hendrick Motorsports. I love this team and I love this sport, but I’m not able to perform at a level that I’m comfortable with.” Hendrick, 22, will continue to work with Team GMAC and interim driver David Green, a former Busch Series champion, throughout the remainder of the schedule. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of Ricky,” said Rick Hendrick, Ricky’s father and owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “He wants to give his team and his sponsors the tools to be successful, and when he realized that he wasn’t physically able to do that, he showed a lot of character by making a tough choice. “With his experience in so many areas of Hendrick Motorsports, from race cars to sponsorship, Ricky will be a valuable contributor to the future growth and success of our company.” Green, 44, will replace Hendrick in the No. 5 Chevrolet effective immediately. The Owensboro, Ky., native was runner-up to Jeff Gordon in the 1991 Busch Series Rookie of the Year competition, winning the series championship in 1994 and the Most Popular Driver award in 1996.