Hendrick pays welcome visit to Concord shop

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Hendrick Motorsports had a welcome visitor to its sprawling complex earlier this week.

Owner Rick Hendrick, who lost his son, his brother, two nieces and two key employees in a plane crash two weeks ago, showed up at the team's race shop to meet with Hendrick employees.

Rick Hendrick

His wife Linda and his daughter Lynn also came to the shop to address Hendrick staffers.

"It was an amazing experience," Jeff Gordon said Saturday. "I just can not believe the strength that he and that family have. Nobody expected them to come over there. They did that on their own, and it was amazing and inspiring, I just can't even describe it. There wasn't a dry eye in the place."

The investigation into the crash that took the lives of 10 people Oct. 24 in southern Virginia is still ongoing. While Hendrick Motorsports has declined comment on the crash itself, drivers and other officials have spoken about how the tragedy affected them and the team.

A word used several times to describe Hendrick has been "strong." Driver Terry Labonte used it again Saturday.

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"Rick is a very strong person, and he has dealt with this tragedy probably as good as anybody possibly could," Labonte said. "It was devastating for him to lose that many family members, friends and employees all in one day.

"It's been very difficult for him and a lot of people in the organization. He is a great leader and a great friend."

Hendrick's appearance at Hendrick Motorsports earlier this week was proof, Labonte said.

"It just showed all of us just how strong he is," Labonte said. "It was a very tough situation for everybody there. It just showed again how strong that family is and how committed they are to that organization. That organization is like their family. That's not just saying that, they really are. They think a lot of all the employees."

While Labonte said it was a private meeting and didn't reveal exactly what Hendrick said, Labonte did mention Hendrick determination.

Terry Labonte

"He just wanted to tell everybody he's more determined than ever to keep this team going in the same direction to try to keep it on top," Labonte said. "I think the employees there are more motivated than they've ever been to do whatever Rick wants to do. They're going to do their very best and step up -- if you can possibly step up any more - and try to get another championship for him this year and go on and try to continue to keep Hendrick Motorsports on top."

Hendrick driver Jimmie Johnson won last weekend, the first race after finding out about the crash. Johnson and Gordon are second and third, respectively, in the Chase for the Nextel Cup with three races remaining in 2004.

But despite losing son Ricky, brother John, nieces Jennifer and Kimberly, chief engine builder Randy Dorton, general manager Jeff Turner, two pilots, a DuPont executive and a third pilot, Hendrick has worried about how others around him have coped, Gordon said.

"He's always so concerned with other people," Gordon said. "That's what makes him such a great individual and a great family man. We look up to him in many ways."

And that's what made Hendrick's appearance this week to difficult.

"It was hard for everybody," Labonte said.