Hendrick nominated for NASCAR Hall of Fame's 2012 class

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Team owner Rick Hendrick was one of 25 nominees NASCAR announced is eligible for the Hall of Fame’s third induction class, which will be enshrined in January 2012.

This is Hendrick's third year on the ballot, and he is one of 20 to repeat as a nominee. This round of nominees were selected by a 21-person nominating committee consisting of representatives from NASCAR, the Hall of Fame and track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks.

Five finalists will be elected by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, which includes the entire Nominating Committee, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs) and recognized industry leaders. In addition, a fan vote will be held on NASCAR.com from April 28 to June 12.

Hendrick Motorsports owns an all-time record 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner championship titles – a five with Jimmie Johnson, four with Jeff Gordon and one with Terry Labonte. Hendrick also has 13 total NASCAR national-series car-owner championships, which is also most in NASCAR history. Gordon and Labonte combined to win four consecutive titles from 1995-98. In 2010, Johnson won a record-setting fifth consecutive championship.
 
Some of NASCAR’s most prominent drivers have driven for Hendrick. Geoff Bodine was the first, earning the organization’s first victory on April 29, 1984, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The late Tim Richmond, three-time series champion Darrell Waltrip and the late Benny Parsons, the 1973 series champion, also are Hendrick alumni.