Hendrick Motorsports VP receives honorary degree

ROLLA, Mo. (Dec. 18, 2009) -- Doug Duchardt, a 1987 graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology, will be one of 10 alumni awarded an honorary professional degree on Saturday during the school’s winter commencement ceremonies. Currently the Vice President of Development for Hendrick Motorsports, Duchardt earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the university in 1987. During his undergraduate career, he joined General Motors as a co-op student. That relationship grew over time, and after achieving a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue in 1992, Duchardt went on to become the director of GM Racing in 2003 and work closely with NASCAR teams. In 2005, he was named a vice president at Hendrick Motorsports, where he currently oversees race car design, engineering and production in the chassis, body and engine areas. “I appreciate my alma mater recognizing what’s happened in my career, but it’s really the result of being surrounded by talented people at General Motors and Hendrick Motorsports,” Duchardt said. “There are a lot of distinguished alumnae from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and it’s humbling to see the list of people being honored and the previous honorees. It’s also encouraging that colleges and universities are paying attention to what happens in NASCAR and that our industry is relevant with any other mainstream business.”