Ethics for Governor, Hendrick Questioned

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Rick Hendrick had a pretty doggone good weekend at Martinsville Speedway by taking home the race win and watching each of his four cars finish in the Top-10.

To cap it off, the race was the 25th anniversary of Hendrick's first win in NASCAR's top division, so it was fitting for his team to have a successful day.

Unfortunately, not all was roses for Hendrick over the weekend as Raliegh, N.C.'s News & Observer ran a lengthy story detailing what could be some significant transgressions involving his business relationship with former North Carolina governor Mike Easley.

Easley, of course, gained a nice bit of fame in the minds of NASCAR fans after he wrecked one of Hendrick's show cars during a promotional event at Lowe's Motor Speedway. During his tenure, Easley helped pass a good number of legislation pieces beneficial to the Tar Heel State's large motorsports industry -- including sales tax exemptions on things such as car parts and jet fuel for race teams.

Hendrick's name came up in the story because he's been known to have a close professional relationship with the governor who left office on Jan. 10. The paper cited a couple of examples that could hint at some improper benefits to the governor from Hendrick in return for favorable racing legislation, including a two-day trip to a Hendrick vacation home near Key West, Fla., and the free use of a new Honda Accord for Easley's wife from one of Hendrick's auto dealerships.

If you're into this kind of thing, and especially if you enjoy what appears to be an incredibly well-researched piece by the N&O staff, I'd highly suggest taking a look.

I'm not one to pass judgment, and this situation only strengthens that fact because of its overwhelming complexity and a question of whether anything was illegal under state ethics laws or is relavant now that Easley has left office.

Regardless, it's an interesting look into just how shrewd of a businessman Hendrick is and definitely causes one to recall some of the issues that the most successful owner in NASCAR's recent history had during his battle with lukemia in the 1990's. Then, Hendrick was charged in a mail-fraud operation that involved him bribing executives of Honda Motor Company to secure more of Honda's extremely popular products for his expansive network of dealerships.

He was eventually found guilty and sentenced to a year of home detention away from his race teams and automotive group, and later pardoned by President Bill Clinton.

There's been no little to no mention of this story since it ran, and to me, it just shows how much the NASCAR media seems to circle the wagons for some of the titans of the industry. After all, such a story isn't exactly convenient to report when in another breath one is talking about the impressive accomplishments that Hendrick's upstart team has racked up in 25 years of winning.

I'm not here to throw Hendrick's name in the mud or dig up dirt on a guy who is likely one of the most philanthropic persons in the NASCAR garage area. But when stories like this come around, it's important that they are taken seriously and not just brushed under the rug.

Rick Hendrick's a great guy for NASCAR and deserves all of the accolades that he and his team's have accomplished over the years. But at the same time, if he's involved in situations that aren't so ethical, the NASCAR community should feel obligated to ask as many questions as accolades that it has doled out.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-31-2009 @ 6:15AM

obamaizadope said...

Gee, convicted felon Rick Hendrick buying influence? I'm shocked, shocked..

4-02-2009 @ 1:33AM

waytootalented said...

GET THAT GUY SK8 HALFPIPE from the APPLE STORE FAST!!!!!!!!!

3-31-2009 @ 6:46AM

Kim said...

What's not shocking, Dope...is that a politician could be "bought" so yet another dirty politician in America.

I am personally more upset about that part of the story than I am about Hendrick's involvement. Our politicians have all become so corrupt and so jaded, they are easily swayed with gifts and money all while our country suffers.

It sounds like Rick's dealings with the governor were shady at best. However, it does appear he had NASCAR's best interest (overall) at heart. I believe there are two sides to every story, so would love to hear Rick's. The governor's, not so much. I find that when a politician is found out to be corrupt, they throw anyone and everybody under the bus so they can look better. What a sad story this is. I truly hope it is not the whole truth.

Kim

3-31-2009 @ 8:05AM

illsell4u said...

I think it was a well written article Kim. Geoffrey would have had to plagiarize the article basically to list all the stuff the Governor is accused of. He hit the highlites and gave a link to go read the article. As we are in a Nascar forum, that is where the focus of this article would be, on the Nascar end of it.
Rick should have taken a lesson from the lobbyists in DC. He should have gathered a group of Nascar owners to hire a lobbyist to wine and dine the Governor and should have not used his own person vacation home as a perk. Other than that, Hendrick did what is currently done at almost all levels of our government. I would be more shocked if an investigative reporter showed there has been no corruption involving Nascar.
mbl

3-31-2009 @ 8:38AM

Mike,

Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with you. Every major sport is filled with bribary and corruption and politicians are all standing around with their hands out just waiting for someone to fill them with gifts, money and so forth.

I wonder...was Brian France involved in this and if so, to what degree? I find it hard to believe that Brian France lets any type of corruption get by him without taking a piece of the pie for himself.

What's not shocking about this? Not a darn thing. I am just saddened to read that it is Hendrick that has apparently not learned from past mistakes and appears to have had a lapse in good judgement once again.

Kim

3-31-2009 @ 4:00PM

dgrant8651 said...

seems old rick is back to his old ways. got sick all of a sudden when he was going to jail and low and behold as soon as he got thst psrdon he was cured. have not heard them say one word about marrow donation since. makes since that the most corrupt president of our time pardoned him.

3-31-2009 @ 4:57PM

james said...

free use of a honda accord from his dealership?why in the world wouldn't he let her have a chevy
LMAO

3-31-2009 @ 5:54PM

mike said...

rick hendrick and bill clinton...what a pair.....add d.w. and you would have quite a threesome....lol

3-31-2009 @ 10:18PM

roadthundr2 said...

Human-Nights:
NASCAR is a waste of corporate money with a NO VALUE return. Time this wasted spending is stopped along with those government race cars. The point is Rich H.and NASCAR both SUCK..

4-01-2009 @ 5:41AM

now it's Ford, and Toyota against the government race teams from gm, and chrysler..

4-01-2009 @ 10:16AM

It is also time people that don't have a good thing to say about Nascar PISS OFF. This is a MOTORPORTS fanhouse site. It is for people that LIKE motorsports. If there is nothing about racing you like, then why the %^&* are you even reading these articles? Is your life so darn sorry you have nothing better to do then read about and bitch about something you have no interest in? How pathetic is that? This is not about any ONE poster, it is about all the IMPOSTERS.
By the way, while Ford has not taken any money YET they have reserved the OPTION to ask for some in the future. That leaves your beloved Toyota as the only one either not taking the Gov money or standing in line in case they need some.
Get over it. Virtually every part on every car in Nascar is a custom made part made in the USA. Unless of course you want to count the radio. Deal with it.
MBL

4-01-2009 @ 1:16PM

You Government Motors, and Fiat-Dodge fans better enjoy it while you can, Obama would love nothing better than to yank sponsorship..Hey Dude, that Fiat got a Hemi?

4-02-2009 @ 2:37AM

Susan said...

MBL, I agree with your last post. Toyota is supported by their government. It may not be called bailouts but the majority of business news reporters report it as fact. Regardless of political leanings

I wish the people with no life would go away as well. They won't. There isn't a single site that I post on that they don't do this crap. I think it's part of American life now. Disruption and preventing people from talking freely is just part of their game plan.

4-02-2009 @ 10:23AM

I agree with Mike, too Susan!

These posters only exist to irriate us and frankly, it is past the point of annoying and heading down the path to pure ridiculousness. Can anything be done about this, Geoffrey? If they have nothing to contribte to the articles at hand, then why bother? It surely seems like they hate everything about the sport and I am personally offended by Mr. Dope's referring to our current President as a "dope."

Apparently his Mother never taught him...if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. As I've stated before Dope, how about we give Mr. Obama a chance before we throw him to the wolves? I don't care if you voted for him or not, the office of the President should always be respected. He is our Commander & Chief!

As for the article at hand, I am searching for additonal information. Geoffrey, if you come across any additonal informtion, please share it with us. Thanks!

Kim

4-02-2009 @ 7:15PM

Greg said...

Kim,

Spoke like a true member of the Armed Forces.
We may not like the elected official but we do have to show some respect. Just because people did not show Bush the respect does not make two wrongs, right. I laugh at Dope,hafto and others who do bash the company I work for. We feel sorry for those who feel they have to use degratory racism words to feel better about themselves. It is good to know that there are people with common sense that have great things to say about everything.

I learn long time ago surround yourself with POSITIVE people and you will live life with Peace and Harmony.

Greg-san

4-05-2009 @ 2:41AM

Don Emerson said...

I agree, Obammy is no dope, after all that moron conned the people into electing him president. As for Hendricks, well....with his polished smile he has always reminded me of a snake oil salesman. Who in their right mind would buy a car from him. Politics has never been a good place for honesty or strong morals. Face it, you have to make back room deals just to get on the ballot to run for office. As for respecting a man's position, well... the presidency is just another name for a job. And no man or woman gets my respect unless they earn it, regardless of their title. As for irratating posters, well...they can only get under your skin if you bother to read what they write. If you recognize their name, then don't play their game by responding to them. We have far too much censorship in America as it is, and we sure don't need it on these pages. ..works for me