Rick Hendrick has built an empire in NASCAR, leading Hendrick Motorsports to 14 Cup Series championships since founding the team in 1984. As a billionaire car dealership magnate, his decisions often shape the sport’s landscape, blending business savvy with racing passion. Yet, his latest move has stirred deep emotions among fans who cherish the underdog stories that define NASCAR’s history.

That’s where Alan Kulwicki comes in. The 1992 Cup champion embodied the spirit of an independent owner-driver with a mechanical engineering degree, clinching the title by just 10 points in a dramatic Atlanta finale. “The 1992 Hooters 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway is widely regarded as one of the most significant moments in NASCAR history,” said Winston Kelley, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of

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