Rick Hendrick to miss Ford 400 to be with ill niece

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick will miss Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to be with a family member. (Chuck Yadmark / NASCAR Scene)

Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick will miss Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to be with a family member.

Chuck Yadmark
NASCAR Scene

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Rick Hendrick will not attend the Ford 400 today at Homestead-Miami Speedway because a niece of his is being prepared for an emergency liver transplant, Hendrick Motorsports general manager Marshall Carlson announced Sunday afternoon.

Alesha Gainey, 29, is in critical condition at a North Carolina hospital, Carlson said.

Hendrick will be the winning car owner in the 2009 Sprint Cup Series today as he owns the cars of the two contenders, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin, going into the season finale. If Johnson wins, it would mark his fourth consecutive Cup title. If Martin wins, it would be his first title in his 28-year career.

“Rick obviously wishes he could be here,” Carlson said. “He is incredibly proud of the accomplishments of the teams and has asked me to personally express to each of the teams his total confidence in their capabilities. They know exactly what needs to be done and obviously they know how to do it.

“Rick’s priority at this point is supporting his family at this critical time.”

Gainey is the daughter of Rick’s brother John, who was one of 10 people killed in a Hendrick Motorsports plane crash in October 2004 on the way to a race at Martinsville Speedway.
 

Comments

10 responses to " Rick Hendrick to miss Ford 400 to be with ill niece". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    robby_7_fan said:
    Nov 22, 2009 at 2:27 PM

    My thoughts and prayers are with Alesha and her family. I pray that everything goes well with the surgery and she makes a full recovery.

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  2. 2
    nascarfan247 said:
    Nov 22, 2009 at 4:03 PM

    my prayers are with rick and his family

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  3. 3
    Carol-88-fan said:
    Nov 22, 2009 at 5:22 PM

    My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

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  4. 4
    sweetthings88 said:
    Nov 22, 2009 at 7:28 PM

    My thoughts and prayers are with the Hendrick Family.

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  5. 5
    Meg said:
    Nov 23, 2009 at 4:19 PM

    This is why Hendrick is 1,2,3 this year. He cares about people and takes care of them. Best of luck to his niece, Alesha .

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  6. 6
    qsberry said:
    Nov 23, 2009 at 4:26 PM

    A true testiment of the type fellow Rick is. My thoughts and prayers are with Rick and his family. His family has certainly had more than its share of grief over the past several years. Keep the faith Rick......

    Randy Quesenberry
    Former Cup Crew Member
    Ronnie Thomas Racing

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  7. 7
    gojeffgo said:
    Nov 23, 2009 at 4:40 PM

    Hope and faith is all there is..nothing else matters at a time like this!

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  8. 8
    irishlady said:
    Nov 23, 2009 at 4:55 PM

    My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Hope that all will go well.Hold tight to his and he will lead the way. He is always a prayer a way. Myra.

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  9. 9
    jdxenterprises said:
    Nov 23, 2009 at 6:48 PM

    My thoughts are also with the Hendrick Family at this time. Rick is most definately a class act.

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  10. 10
    xbrownsx said:
    Nov 24, 2009 at 3:21 AM

    You did the right thing, Mr. Hendrick. Thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time, may your niece get well soon.

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