“Nobody, at his age, would’ve given him the opportunities”: Rick Hendrick didn’t hold back his emotions about Kelley Earnhardt & Co.’s big decision

Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick lauded Kelley Earnhardt and JR Motorsports' decision to back Cup Series driver Josh Berry at his age. The HMS owner made the admission while talking about his motivation that drives the most successful team in NASCAR history.

At 33, Josh Berry became one of the oldest drivers to make their full-time debut in the Cup Series. The Hendersonville, Tennessee native, after two impressive seasons in the Xfinity Series, signed a multi-year contract with the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing in the Cup Series last year.

After SHR's disbanding, Berry is now set to drive for Wood Brothers Racing in 2025, the oldest team in the current NASCAR roster. While he continues to find success in his NASCAR career, it is crucial to note the Earnhardts' role in the 34-year-old driver's career.

It was quite unheard of for a NASCAR team to give a driver their full-time debut at the age of 30. However, Dale and Kelley Earnhardt's JR Motorsports did exactly that by putting their trust in a 31-year-old Josh Berry back in 2022. According to Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, JRM's decision is what resulted in Berry's success at his age.

In a recent episode of Business of Motorsports, a segment by Dirty Mo Media Productions, Hendrick Motorsports owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick lauded the decision made by Kelley and Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports. According to Hendrick, JRM gave Berry his big break in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at an age when most teams would have passed him over.

"People that you've given opportunities for, like Josh (Berry)," he said. "Nobody at his age would've given him the opportunities you guys did and look where he is today. When you stop and think about it, that's what we don't have the chance (to do). The world's so fast we don't have the time."

---

Rick Hendrick opens up to Kelley Earnhardt on what motivates him at his age

During his conversation with Kelley Earnhardt, Hendrick also opened up about what continues to drive him despite his immense success as the owner of NASCAR's most dominant team. He said:

"Number 1, I'm competitive. I don't want to see the company where the racing or the automobile business gets stagnant. I love seeing young people that started in sales, moved up to management, now general managers, now helping me run a 100 dealerships."

Speaking to a fellow team owner in Kelley Earnhardt, Hendrick emphasized the satisfaction he derives from seeing individuals grow within his organization. He said:

"You get to a place where you say you're down the road in your career. But you want your company's career to go on. Give them the foundation and then you watch them take advantage of that. That to me, is the most rewarding part of what I do. That's the satisfaction I get. Just seeing things develop."

Kelley Earnhardt co-owns JR Motorsports with her brother Dale. She also acts as the team's chief executive officer.