By Ryan - Posted on December 9, 2009

Friday, December 4, 2009, closed out a memorable and historic season with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards ceremony, which was held in Las Vegas. The top 10 drivers took turns congratulating Jimmie Johnson and his team for their fourth consecutive win, as well as thanking all of those responsible for elevating them to their final position in the standings. The presentation of the championship trophy and cheque to Johnson was truly one of the most impressive, and much anticipated moments of the night.

In a surprising and unexpected twist to the festivities, Betty Jane France, widow of the late Bill France, took her place behind the podium and announced the recipient for the Bill France Award of Excellence. This prestigious trophy’s bestowment is reserved for individuals who truly deserve recognition for their contributions to the sport of racing; and as such, is not given out every year. Therefore, the choice of Rick Hendrick as the recipient was unanimously undisputed.

Born and raised on a tobacco farm in Virginia, Hendrick began his racing career as a teenager. He built Hendrick Motorsports, which is, 26 years later, one of the most successful racing teams in NASCAR.

This tremendous success has come at a price. Hendrick’s life has not always been bountiful and prosperous; he has had his share of hardships and tragedies. In the 1990s, Hendrick was diagnosed with leukemia, which he was fortunate to recover from. Then, he was convicted of fraud and bribery charges, which he was later pardoned from by President Bill Clinton. The worst tragedy, one that can never be rectified, was the loss of his only son. In 2004, Hendrick’s son, brother, 2 nieces, and 4 employees were on their way to a race in Martinsville, Virginia, when their plane crashed; killing everyone aboard.

On that night, as he stood behind the podium, eyes welling up with tears; for a rare moment, Hendrick was at a loss for words. There is no doubt that 2009 will be a year that will be forever etched in his memory; not only because his organization took the top 3 spots in the standings, but because Bill France was one of Hendrick’s dearest friends. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication that Hendricks has put into the sport of racing, and there is no doubt that this king will reign for many more years to come.