Already a member of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame, Rick Hendrick is receiving an honor from another Hall.

The global Automotive Hall of Fame announced Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, has been named the winner of its 2026 Industry Leader Award in Retail, to be presented by Cox Automotive at the Auto Forum New York on March 31.

“Rick Hendrick’s impact on automotive retail is both profound and enduring,” Automotive Hall of Fame president Sarah Cook said. “His commitment to excellence, his entrepreneurial vision and the culture he has built across Hendrick Automotive Group have shaped the industry in meaningful ways.”

The award, established by the Automotive Hall in 1982, recognizes executives whose vision, leadership and contributions have significantly shaped the automotive industry.

The Hall said Hendrick was selected for his “extraordinary impact on automotive retail and his decades-long leadership in building one of the most respected dealership organizations in the United States.”

During the New York Auto Forum, Hendrick will participate in a fireside chat with Cox Automotive president Steve Rowley, discussing leadership, industry transformation and the future of automotive retail.

“Rick Hendrick is the definition of an American success story,” Rowley said. “From a single dealership to one of the most respected automotive groups in the nation, he has built his 50-year legacy not just on sales figures, but on the relationships he has forged — with customers, employees and communities alike.

“His commitment to excellence, integrity and people-first leadership has set the standard for what it means to be a great dealer, and his impact on the automotive industry will be felt for generations to come.”

Hendrick was inducted into the NASCAR Hall in 2017 as founder and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, which has won a record 12 championships in NASCAR’s top series with drivers Jimmie Johnson (seven), Jeff Gordon (four) and Terry Labonte (one), and 16 titles encompassing all NASCAR series.

Hendrick said he is “truly humbled” by the Automotive Hall of Fame’s award.

“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredible people across our dealerships and racing teams who hold themselves to the highest standards and take pride in serving our customers and communities,” he said. “I’ve always said I’m the luckiest guy in the world because I get to make a living doing two things I love —  selling cars and racing cars. Anything we’ve accomplished is the result of talented teammates, enduring partnerships and a shared commitment to excellence in everything we do together.

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hendrick Automotive Group in 2026, I’m grateful to everyone who helped build our organization brick by brick.”

Hendrick Automotive Group, based in Charlotte, N.C., operates 96 locations in 13 states. This month, five Hendrick dealerships were recognized in Cars.com’s Dealer of the Year Awards as the best nationally among their brand based on submitted to Cars.com and DealerRater reviews. Earlier this year, Hendrick Automotive earned the top spot among dealership groups in Reputation’s North American Automotive Rankings, with 32 of its stores ranking in the top 100, including the top three and nine of the top 20.

He shoots, he scores! — another free vehicle from Ken Garff

Ken Garff Automotive Group sells a lot of cars.

Lately, it’s gotten pretty good at giving them away, too.

The most recent of those free vehicles — a 2026 Honda Ridgeline pickup — went to 30-year-old James Bernier, a hockey fan who turned out to be a pretty good shot in winning the Ken Garff Pucks for Trucks contest during a Utah Mammoth’s NHL game against the Edmonton Oilers at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

“The Ken Garff Pucks for Trucks contest is more than just a chance to win incredible prizes,” Ken Garff CEO Brett Hopkins said. “It’s a celebration of grit, determination and the thrill of achievement. James’ remarkable win showcases not only his skill but also the sportsmanship and spirit that make events like this so special.”

Bernier drilled a shot through a small target from center ice to win the truck. He earned that opportunity by defeating another randomly selected fan in a competition to score the most goals from the opposite blue line in 20 seconds.

“I’ve been a die-hard hockey fan my entire life, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have taken a shot on NHL ice,” Bernier said afterward. “Go Mammoth!”

Bernier is the first winner of the Pucks for Trucks contest in its two-year history, but he’s not the first winner of a Ken Garff sports contest.

In fact, the Salt Lake City-based dealership group, which operates 70 locations in eight states, has given away four vehicles so far this season, including a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan won by Brigham Young University basketball fan Ethan Graham in the Ken Garff Threes for Keys contest during the BYU-Utah game at Provo’s Marriott Center in January.

Bernier’s shot marks the first season Ken Garff has awarded free cars to winners in all three of its sports promotions: Pucks for Trucks, Threes for Keys and Kicks for Keys, which was won by Andrew Easton, who kicked a 35-yard field goal during the BYU-Utah football game in October.

McGee acquires RI dealership from Penske

Penske Automotive, which includes more than 350 dealerships in eight countries on four continents, now has one less store in that total.

The giant dealership group has sold Lexus of Warwick, in Warwick, R.I., to Rob McGee of the McGee Automotive Family, according to Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions, which represented the buyer in the transaction.

In a news release, Pinnacle said the dealership will continue to operate under its existing name.

McGee Automotive, based in Massachusetts, now operates 13 dealership locations in six Northeastern states.

“I’m very excited to be joining the Lexus family in coming to Rhode Island, and thank Pinnacle and PAG for this opportunity,” Rob McGee said. “Great for our entire McGee team.”

Penske has also been a buyer in this year’s M&A market, having closed on the acquisition of two Florida dealerships last month.