Hess, Parker receive Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence

CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 6, 2009) – Hendrick Motorsports employees Lynn Hess and Richie Parker were named recently as the 2009 Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence recipients. The award embodies the spirit of Rick Hendrick’s late father Joe Hendrick and is voted upon annually by Hendrick Motorsports employees. Hess and Parker were recognized during the company’s Christmas party on Dec. 18. Inclement weather kept Hess from attending the event, but that didn’t dampen her excitement. Hess has worked at Hendrick Motorsports fulltime since October 1999 as the administrative assistant for the Nos. 24 and 48 team shop, while also serving as the scorer some race weekends for the No. 24 team. “I am thrilled and honored to have been chosen to receive the Papa Joe Hendrick Award,” Hess said. “I am humbled to be mentioned among the past recipients. I owe this to the employees of the (Nos.) 24/48 teams. They are a great and fun group to work with.” During the last four years, one piece of Hess’ job has involved preparing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship banquet. This year presented new challenges since the festivities were moved from New York to Las Vegas. “Although everything went off flawlessly, it was somewhat challenging making all the travel arrangements in a new city,” Hess said. “I was pleasantly surprised that once planned, the air and hotel travel was much easier than in years past. I hope we have the opportunity to do it again in 2010.” Parker was on hand to receive the honor on Dec. 19, but the award wasn’t the only thing that surprised the 2005 Clemson graduate. Parker, who started working at Hendrick Motorsports fulltime in 2005 as an engineer, was surprised to find his parents in attendance for the party. “I thought they were 250 miles away in (my hometown) Beaufort, S.C.,” Parker said. “I’m glad they were able to attend and meet the Hendrick Motorsports family that I spend so much time with during the week. “Winning this award means a lot to me. It’s an honor to have my name listed as the recipient of an award that Mr. (Rick) Hendrick, Jim Wall (director of engine engineering), Jim McKenzie (engineering applications manager) and others have received. It probably took a full day after receiving it to fully appreciate it. It’s an honor to work beside the people I work with at Hendrick Motorsports, and it’s humbling to receive an award that my coworkers voted on.”