Rick Hendrick: owner, Hendrick Motorsports.(Q & A)(Interview)

Even before Jimmie Johnson dominated the Coca-Cola 600, it had been a rewarding season for Hendrick Motorsports, racing in its 21st season.

Q: Take us through an overview of your 20 years in racing. Has it exceeded your expectations?

A: Well, yeah. When we showed up at Martinsville in 1984, it was a pivotal race for us. I know exactly what some of these guys feel like who have an unsponsored car--we did not have a sponsor. We had a small associate on the car, All-Star Racing, and City Chevrolet, my store in Charlotte. We were running the deal out of our pocket and needed some success to sell a sponsor. I told Jeff Gordon the other day, "I don't know who you'd be driving for, but it probably wouldn't be me if Geoff Bodine hadn't won that race at Martinsville."

But it has been a great run for us. I remember going to Daytona and looking down pit road the first time and seeing Richard Petty and (Cale) Yarborough and Junior Johnson and the Wood Brothers and feeling like, "Man, I don't deserve to be here."

Q: You've won five championships. What do you bring to the equation that breeds this success?

A: I guess I was the guy who took the risk. But it's all about people and commitment. My job is putting the right people together, and I've been very fortunate to be associated with some great individuals.... Everybody in the garage today has good equipment. Some better than others, but it's all good equipment. The difference is people and the commitment to winning, and that's what makes these teams different.

Q: Did you ever think you would build this dynasty?