Jimmie Johnson Explains Why Rick Hendrick Remains His Idol

Jimmie Johnson is taking more than just championship trophies from his time at Hendrick Motorsports. The seven-time champion recently revealed the specific leadership traits that transformed Rick Hendrick from a former boss into a lifelong business idol.

In a recent interaction on the Stacking Pennies with Corey LaJoie podcast, the seven-time Cup Series champion shared:

“Just the way he moves through the building. He has his automotive office, and then Hendrick Motorsports. But he spends two-thirds of the week at HMS, wandering around involved, taking meetings there. The way they’re really, as a family business, is as large as it is, and he is always there. He always leads by example, and that’s the thing I am really trying to do.”

As Johnson explained, Hendrick remains highly involved. It’s part of the reason he was able to take one Chevy dealership and transform it into a racing empire. Interestingly, it transpired in an instance when Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief, Chad Knaus were arguing with each other. Hendrick intervened, placed milk and cookies in front of them, and said, “If we’re going to act like kids, then we’re going to take a break here and have milk and cookies.”

That’s why, when Johnson was exploring options surrounding Legacy Motor Club and the partnership with Carvana, he looked to Hendrick for advice.

“I’ve gone to him with every major decision I have ever made business-wise since I’ve left, even the partnership with Carvana. I care so much for Rick, and at the time Carvana was on the radar from a conglomerate like Hendrick Automotive group, and Rick really appreciated the fact that I reached out and today Carvana is so big.

What Rick Hendrick Said About Running a Business to Jimmie Johnson

Despite the cut-throat nature of business and the kind of adrenaline rush it can give, Johnson was quick to add that it will never be a match for the feeling one gets from behind the wheel. In this case, he particularly highlighted the example of off-road racing.

“One thing Rick always told me, if you get into the business world and live it, you will be surprised how competitive it is and then the adrenaline and all the elements that come with it. And now I’m experiencing that. But there’s nothing like holding the steering wheel and being in that truck, the MIT 400. I mean, the greatest thing,” he concluded.

Perhaps this is why he continues to drive on a part-time basis in the Cup Series for Legacy Motor Club, which he co-owns with Richard Petty, Maury Gallagher, Knighthead Capital Management, and, more recently, three-time Grammy winner Darius Rucker.

As of now, Legacy sits low in the rankings, and while they have two cars on the grid currently, the team is planning to add a third car from the next season onwards.