CONCORD, N.C. -- Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick's love of cars is well-documented.
Last week, he added a very special one to his collection during the inaugural Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction Northeast in Connecticut.
Hendrick jumped at the opportunity when Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen auctioned off his custom 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible with 100 percent of the proceeds going to charity.
The recipient? Receptions for Research: The Greg Olsen Foundation benefiting The HEARTest Yard.
“I wanted this Camaro to improve the lives of families and immediately knew that auctioning it through Barrett-Jackson would be the best way to maximize the exposure for it,” Olsen said.
Hendrick placed the winning bid of $100,000 to add the car to his personal collection and support Olsen's charity in the process.
"The folks at Barrett-Jackson do a terrific job supporting charitable organizations through their auctions,” Hendrick said. "I first met Greg at an event for Levine Children's Hospital, and I've been able to spend time with him since then. He and (wife) Kara are great people and do so much to give back to the community and help kids. How can you not be touched by their story?"
Olsen founded The HEARTest Yard after he and wife Kara found out that one of their twins would be born with a severe congenital heart defect. Partnering with Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, they created a cutting-edge program that provides a multitude of services to families of babies affected by congenital heart disease.
As Hendrick mentioned, the tight end first met the NASCAR team owner at a Levine Children's Hospital event announcing funding to support pediatric cardiovascular services and the pediatric congenital heart program. The Partnership for Pediatric Hearts was established that year thanks to an initial gift of $1 million from Hendrick and his family.
“The Partnership for Pediatric Hearts opens the door for more teamwork among organizations that are passionate about the cardiovascular health of children and young adults in our region,” Hendrick said at the time.
Since then, Olsen has been involved in many initiatives with Hendrick Motorsports ties, including his "Weekend with the 88s" charity partnership with Dale Earnhardt Jr. This year, Olsen tried his hand at pit crew training with the No. 88 team.
Hendrick purchased Olsen's car as a big Camaro fan, and it provided another opportunity through Barrett-Jackson to support a charity he believes in.