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A family emergency will keep team owner Rick Hendrick from celebrating a record-tying ninth Sprint Cup championship for Hendrick Motorsports on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Hendrick's 29-year-old niece Alesha Gainey, the daughter of John Hendrick who was killed in the 2004 plane crash near Martinsville Speedway, is undergoing an emergency liver transplant in North Carolina.
"Rick obviously wishes he could be here . . . [but] Rick's priority at this point is to support his family at this crucial time," Hendrick Motorsports general managers Marshall Carlson said.
Jimmie Johnson enters the final race with a 108-point lead over teammate Mark Martin in his quest for a fourth straight championship. Teammate Jeff Gordon, the only other driver with a chance at the title, is third in the standings.
The title ties HMS with Richard Petty Enterprises for the most in NASCAR history.
Hendrick's 29-year-old niece Alesha Gainey, the daughter of John Hendrick who was killed in the 2004 plane crash near Martinsville Speedway, is undergoing an emergency liver transplant in North Carolina.
"Rick obviously wishes he could be here . . . [but] Rick's priority at this point is to support his family at this crucial time," Hendrick Motorsports general managers Marshall Carlson said.
Jimmie Johnson enters the final race with a 108-point lead over teammate Mark Martin in his quest for a fourth straight championship. Teammate Jeff Gordon, the only other driver with a chance at the title, is third in the standings.
The title ties HMS with Richard Petty Enterprises for the most in NASCAR history.
