CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 4, 2011) – Ray Evernham Enterprises (REE) has been retained to consult for the Hendrick Companies, a management company formed in 2005 to oversee strategic initiatives for chairman Rick Hendrick.

Founded in 2008 by successful auto racing crew chief, team owner and broadcaster Ray Evernham, REE will consult on special projects related to Hendrick’s core businesses. In that role, REE’s initial focus will be development of the Hendrick Performance retail brand of high-performance parts, vehicles, products and related services.

“Hendrick Performance parts and cars will have a racing pedigree, and Ray is someone who will help ensure that on behalf of our customers and dealers,” Hendrick said. “He’s assembled a terrific group of people at REE, and I see a lot of opportunities for them to be a valuable resource for our organization on projects like this. I know the kind of high standards Ray sets.”

With Hendrick as car owner, Evernham won three NASCAR Cup championships in the 1990s as crew chief for driver Jeff Gordon. He left the Hendrick organization in 1999 to found his own team, Evernham Motorsports, and most recently was a television analyst for ESPN.

“Rick and I have had many conversations over the years about our passion projects, and there’s so much crossover with what we enjoy working on,” said Evernham, 53, CEO of Ray Evernham Enterprises. “We both sense an opportunity to do some unique things, whether it’s with performance parts and cars, his dealership business (Hendrick Automotive Group) or other ways to build the Hendrick brand.”

Ray Evernham Enterprises is based in Mooresville, N.C. For more information, visit www.RayEvernham.com.

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Duo pulls off record time to win Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 29, 2010) – Robert Marock and Scott Vester won the Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown last Wednesday by building their Chevrolet R07 engine in record time. The duo assembled their engine in just 21 minutes and 19 seconds, shattering the 2009 championship time of 22 minutes and 57 seconds. Kurk Lowry, a nine-year veteran from Superior Lexus, and Mike Maiwald, from Hendrick Motorsports, trailed the Marock-Vester team by a little more than two minutes and finished second in the competition.

The event was created nine years ago as a way for Rick Hendrick to recognize the talents of his engine employees within Hendrick Motorsports and the Hendrick Automotive Group. The late Randy Dorton, a legendary engine builder, was instrumental in the development of the competition, which couples 12 individuals from Hendrick Motorsports with 12 individuals from HAG. These 12 teams participate in the build-off to determine the best pair.

The competitors arrived on Tuesday, and seasoned veterans Marock and Vester were teamed together. Marock, who has worked at Honda Cars of Concord for six years, was entering his third engine building competition, while Vester, an engine dyno operator at Hendrick Motorsports, returned as the defending champion.

In this year's showdown, Marock and Vester breezed through their first build round on Wednesday morning, scoring a time of 23 minutes and 25 seconds, which was the fastest of all their competitors and advanced them to the championship round later that day.

Meanwhile Lowry, from Superior Lexus in Kansas City, Mo., and Maiwald were working their way into the championship round. Lowry was a first-time participant in the engine building competition, but Maiwald, like Vester, had experience on his side. Earlier this year in May, Maiwald teamed up with Vester to finish second in the 11th annual MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown. That competition was held in downtown Charlotte during "NASCAR Rev'd Up", which is an event open to fans during the NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star weekend in Charlotte, N.C. During that event, Vester and Maiwald competed together as a team and looked to be the champions when their engine quit running 59 seconds into the mandatory one minute run time. They were one second away from victory.

It was standing-room only as the championship round began. Lowry and Maiwald appeared to have the edge over their competition early in the event. But Marock and Vester fought back and took the spotlight near the half-way point in the race. Marock and Vester started their Chevrolet R07 engine and successfully ran it for one minute in just 21 minutes and 19 seconds. Lowry and Maiwald followed roughly two minutes and eight seconds later after encountering issues with the timing setting of the engine.
Vester, who was part of the 2009 championship team, explained the event is a team effort.

"I think really it's getting paired with the right guy," Vester said. "You do your part, but you're only responsible for half of it. You're half, and he's got half, so it's how well you work together. To work together as a team you have to communicate. If you don't communicate, throughout the build you're gonna get way off and you're gonna have a lot of issues."

"It's awesome," Marock said after being awarded his trophy. "First and foremost, the opportunity to come over here to Hendrick Motorsports and share this experience with everyone. It's what Mr. Hendrick does to recognize us that sets him apart. The competition, the winning are just a bonus; everything else is the reason to come. The win is awesome to hold up the Hendrick tradition."

2010 Randy Dorton Hendrick Engine Builder Showdown times:
First build:
Lee Hartsell (Hendrick Motorsports) and Jeff Krogmann (Superior Toyota): 28:42
Jerry Hilson (Hendrick Lexus) and Jared Morris (Hendrick Motorsports): 40:19

Second build:
Jeffrey Heinz (Hendrick Chevrolet, N.C.) and Sam Vernatter (Hendrick Motorsports): 26:56
Tom Karas (Hendrick Motorsports) and Chris Ranes (Superior Toyota): 31:03

Third build:
Allen Gates (Darrell Waltrip Honda Volvo) and Jason Ingle (Hendrick Motorsports): 26:10
Scot Hubbard (Lexus of Pleasanton) and Kevin Moler (Hendrick Motorsports): 29:29

Fourth build:
Matt Pennell (Hendrick BMW) and Kevin Webber (Hendrick Motorsports): 28:22
Danny Emerick (Hendrick Motorsports) and William Heimel (Rick Hendrick Chevrolet, Ga.): 29:56

Fifth build:
Robert Marock (Honda Cars of Concord) and Scott Vester (Hendrick Motorsports): 23:25
Gary Stevens (Colonial Chevrolet) and Jay Wiles (Hendrick Motorsports): 43:05

Sixth build:
Kurk Lowry (Superior Lexus) and Mike Maiwald (Hendrick Motorsports): 24:18
Bob Anderson (Hendrick Cadillac, Saab, Spyker) and Shane Parsnow (Hendrick Motorsports): 31:06

Championship build:
Marock and Vester: 21:19
Lowry and Maiwald: 23:27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HENDRICK AUTOMOTIVE GROUP ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

Edward J. Brown to succeed James. F. Huzl as CEO on Jan. 1, 2011

CHARLOTTE, May 26, 2010 – Edward J. Brown III, a leader at Bank of America and its predecessor companies for 32 years, has joined Hendrick Automotive Group as chief financial officer and will become president and chief executive officer on Jan. 1, 2011, when he will succeed current president and CEO James F. “Jim” Huzl. Mr. Huzl is retiring as planned after a 25-year career at one of the country’s largest automotive retailers.

"Ed’s extensive senior financial management experience, combined with his enthusiasm and community commitment, will be a tremendous asset to Hendrick Automotive Group as we continue to grow,” said Rick Hendrick, chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group. “He’s been a respected member of our company’s partnership committee for more than two years, and we’re proud that he’s joined us in this new role.

“Jim’s dedication to our employees and customers has been integral to our success, and I want to thank him for his immeasurable contribution to Hendrick Automotive Group over the past quarter century. He is an unbelievable friend and leader whose influence will continue to be felt long after his retirement.”

Mr. Brown retired in 2004 after a 32-year career at Bank of America and its predecessors, North Carolina National Bank and NationsBank. Among his many accomplishments, he created the Specialized Industries division; led commercial, corporate and retail banking for the Tampa Bay, Fla., region; served as middle market group executive; and was president of corporate banking.

In 2000, Mr. Brown was promoted to president of global corporate and investment banking services with clients in more than 30 countries and revenues totaling more than $9 billion. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

“I look forward to applying my experience in corporate finance as a member of the Hendrick Automotive Group team,” said Brown, who assumed the role of CFO, a previously unfilled position, on May 17. “This organization is a leader in the automotive sales industry and I am thrilled by the opportunity to be part of their continuing success.”

Mr. Huzl began his career with Hendrick Automotive Group in 1985 as executive vice president and CFO, responsible for all banking and financial relationships, employee benefit programs and corporate and dealership financial information. After eight years in this role, he was promoted to chief administrative officer and in 2004 was named chief operating officer.

In January 2005, Mr. Huzl assumed the role of president and CEO. A former Marine major and graduate of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, he has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

“It has been a great privilege to be part of the Hendrick Automotive Group family,” Mr. Huzl said. “I welcome Ed Brown, who I’ve known for many years, to our team and look forward to working with him over the coming months. I have a great passion for this company and couldn’t be more confident in the talented group of people who will continue to lead it.”

About Hendrick Automotive Group

Hendrick Automotive Group is one of the largest automotive retail organizations in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., the company employs more than 6,000 people, operates 59 dealerships, 87 franchises and 18 collision-repair shops in 10 states from the Carolinas to California. For more information, please visit www.HendrickAuto.com. 

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Hendrick Automotive Group is proud to release the latest refresh of the Hendrick Automotive Group corporate website.  Like the rest of our organization, this effort has been a team project from the beginning.

We've worked hard to bring together the talents that we have in our dealerships as well as the business partners that help us continue to deliver services to our customers.  A special thanks to everyone that has helped make this refresh possible, including:

Web Development

Burke Communications, Charlotte, North Carolina

Hendrick Team Members

Jeff Woodlee - Rick Hendrick Chevrolet (Duluth)
Breck Sargent - Acura of Pleasanton
Jeff Ebner - East Bay BMW
Joe Juhan - Rick Hendrick Chevrolet (Buford)
Marcus DeBiasi - Rick Hendrick BMW