Rick Hendrick Lets Slip Inferiority to Kelley Earnhardt With Bold Claim on Dale Jr & Co’s JRM Ownership

Rick Hendrick is a giant in motorsports. His name is synonymous with NASCAR greatness—14 Cup Series championships, countless victories, and a reputation for building one of the most successful organizations in racing history. But in a recent episode of ‘The Dale Jr. Download’ for the ‘Business of Motorsports’ series, the legendary team owner revealed a different side of himself. Sitting down with Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Hendrick gave surprising credit to Kelley, Dale Jr., and JR Motorsports, calling them the best Xfinity Series team in the business. Coming from a man whose empire has set the gold standard in racing, it was high praise—and a testament to the Earnhardt siblings’ incredible work.

“Best Xfinity organization in racing”: Rick doffs his cap to the Earnhardts

When Kelley Earnhardt Miller brought up the 2008 decision to merge JR Motorsports’ Xfinity operation with Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 team, it was clear that moment still stood out to her.

“I was pretty floored that you gave us the opportunity to take your team from Hendrick Motorsports at the time, the #5 car, and bring it up here to Mooresville to merge it with our #1 car team,” Kelley said. “I had never managed a large group of people, and that’s one thing I’ve always taken away from working with you—the way you treat people and that people-first mentality.”

Hendrick’s response was candid, as always. He didn’t hesitate to hand over credit where he thought it was due.

“Listen, you and Dale are family to me. I’ve known you guys since you were puppies,” Hendrick said. “And to be honest with you, you’ve done a lot better job of running an Xfinity team than I was doing. Look at your success, your work ethic… You run the best Xfinity organization in racing.”

It was a moment that perfectly captured Hendrick’s humility and his admiration for JR Motorsports. Despite his own record-breaking success, he didn’t hesitate to acknowledge that Kelley and Dale Jr. had turned the Xfinity operation into something special.

For Kelley, Hendrick’s influence was clear. She credited the foundation he brought to JR Motorsports during those early days, saying, “We wouldn’t have been as good at it off the bat if we didn’t have the foundation that you guys brought along.”

Hendrick, in his typical self-deprecating style, brushed off any grand claims of his own contribution. “I’ve just been fortunate to be on your coattail here,” he said.

Kelley, quick to correct him, replied, “You’re not on the coattails. You were a huge part of this.”

Looking at JR Motorsports today, it’s hard to believe that the team once operated as a small program with a single car. Now, it’s an undeniable powerhouse—one that just clinched the Xfinity Series championship with veteran Justin Allgaier.

For Rick Hendrick, watching Kelley and Dale Jr. succeed isn’t just satisfying—it’s personal. From their childhood days to running NASCAR’s best Xfinity organization, Hendrick has been there to see it all unfold.

“I was excited for us coming together,” he said of the 2008 merger. “That Xfinity division inside the Cup team wasn’t getting enough attention, and it was out of control. You guys turned it into something special.”

Family legacy and building a people-first empire

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For Kelley, JR Motorsports is more than just a successful organization. It’s a continuation of her family’s legacy—and her connection to Rick Hendrick goes even further back than most people know. While the Earnhardt name dominates NASCAR history, Kelley shared a lesser-known fact about her maternal grandfather, Robert Gee, and his connection to Hendrick.

“My grandfather on my mom’s side worked for Mr. Hendrick when he first started the Motorsports operation,” Kelley revealed. “That’s where I got my first real memories of being around you. I remember you coming to the hospital to visit my granddaddy when he was having strokes, and that’s where I got to know you before we came to drive for you.”

It was a glimpse into the deep-rooted connection between the two families—one that goes far beyond racing. Hendrick, for his part, acknowledged the significance of that family history.

“Your family’s history in racing is something special,” he said. “And Kelley, you’ve carried that forward. I’m so proud of what you and Dale Jr. have done.”

Throughout the conversation, the respect between Hendrick and Kelley was clear. For Hendrick, building an empire like Hendrick Motorsports wasn’t just about the wins or the trophies—it was about people. That same mentality has been the backbone of JR Motorsports’ success.

“It’s not all me,” Hendrick said of his own organization’s legacy. “It’s all you and the people who keep it growing. I want the legacy to be: It’s one of the oldest automotive groups in the business and still around, still doing the same thing. That gave me tremendous peace.”

Kelley agreed, adding that Hendrick’s approach to leadership taught her valuable lessons. “Leadership is about people. It’s simple: for them to care, you have to care.”

The partnership may have started with a leap of faith, but the results speak for themselves. For Kelley and Dale Jr., the lessons they learned from Rick Hendrick—about leadership, legacy, and people—have been instrumental in making JR Motorsports what it is today. And for Hendrick, watching the Earnhardt siblings thrive has been a source of pride.

“You and Dale, you’ve done an unbelievable job,” he said. “I’m just lucky to be part of it.”

But let’s be honest—coming from a man with Hendrick’s track record, that kind of praise doesn’t come lightly. If Rick Hendrick says you’re the best in the business, you’ve earned it.