It’s official.
On Friday evening, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame, entering the Hall in the category of Enthusiast, in the Racing and GM/Chevrolet categories, respectively.
The special evening for his outstanding accomplishments and significant contributions to the Corvette brand is one Hendrick will never forget.
“Thank you. I really can’t express how I really feel and how special the last couple of days have been for me,” he said. “I was lucky enough to sit on a stage with some of the most famous Corvette people of all time today.”
“To own a piece of that history—Route 66 and all—and to have that dream and be standing here tonight being inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame is hard for me to fathom.”
Prior to the induction ceremony, Hendrick unveiled his recently restored 1963 Corvette Stingray inside the Bowling Green, Ky.-based museum with country music singer and friend Brad Paisley.
This Corvette represents where it all started for Hendrick and his wife Linda. In order to open their first dealership, they had to sell everything they owned, including Mr. Hendrick’s first Corvette.
“I’m going to accept the [Corvette] Hall Of Fame [induction] on our behalf, hers [Linda Hendrick] and mine, and all of our teammates who work so hard to make our company what it is today,” Hendrick said. “I’m honored. I want to thank the committee for nominating me and for selecting me, and making this one of the most special days in my life.“
The Corvette Hall of Fame was founded in 1998 by the National Corvette Museum Board of Directors. Entry into the hall recognizes "those people who have made significant contributions to their respective fields, each having reached the highest level of accomplishment. Inductees must also possess the highest standards of integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the Corvette and the National Corvette Museum."
Herb Fishel and Russ McLean joined Hendrick as members of the 2015 Corvette Hall of Fame induction class.