Rick Hendrick joins nine others in receiving the Alger Award. Credit: Autostock

Hendrick to receive Horatio Alger Award

Team owner honored for overcoming adversity

FORT WORTH, Texas -- NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick is among nine individuals that will receive the prestigious Horatio Alger Award Friday evening in the nation's capital.

The award is given to folks that have overcome adversity and humble beginnings to achieve success. It is among America's most prestigious individual awards.

"The lives of each of these exceptional individuals provide wonderful examples of the tradition of proving that hard work, perseverance and integrity are the cornerstones upon which success in our great nation and the realization of success are built," said Dennis R. Washington, president and CEO of the Horatio Alger Association.

Each year since 1947, distinguished persons have been selected for induction as members of this prestigious organization. Among the 585 members of the association are well-known Americans including Maya Angelou, former Sen. Robert J. Dole, boxing legend George Foreman, Rev. Billy Graham, entrepreneur H. Wayne Huizenga, former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and media mogul Oprah Winfrey.

The complete list of the 2006 class is:

• Kenneth Eugene Behring -- chairman of the board of directors, Wheelchair Foundation
• Doris K. Christopher -- founder and CEO, The Pampered Chef
• Peter M. Dawkins -- U.S. Army, retired, and vice chairman, Citigroup Private Banking
• J.R. "Rick" Hendrick III -- owner, Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick Automotive Group
• Harold F. "Gerry" Lenfest -- president, The Lenfest Group and The Lenfest Foundation
• Boone Pickens -- chairman, BP Capital Management
• Nido R. Qubein -- president, High Point University, and chairman, Great Harvest Bread Company
• David E. Ritchie -- chairman of the board, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
• Anthony J. Terlato -- chairman, Terlato Wine Group