Hendrick Motorsports says its all-new 35,000-square-foot training center rivals those seen in some of the top athletic colleges at professional sports team, and the pictures and videos released of the inside appear to support that claim. They scouted several complexes for inspiration, including Clemson, Auburn and Alabama, as well as the MLS’ Charlotte FC and even Fort Bragg.
In partnership with Atrium Health, the athletic center has everything from state-of-the-art recovery devices, a nutrition station, a barber shop and sauna, a rock wall inside a weight room, as well as a full-time athletic trainer and physical therapist. But that’s still only scratching the surface. There’s also a film room, a hot tub, a cold tub, a conference room named in honor of Ray Evernham, and even a kombucha kegerator.
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Unsurprisingly, you will also find Hendrick logos and reminders of the team’s many NASCAR achievements all over the new facility, as well inspiring messages on the walls.
HMS released a full video tour inside the complex, going room-to-room to showcase every aspect of the Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center:
“We were looking to recruit a higher caliber athlete, and we were growing as a department, so our facilities really got to a pinch point,” said Roberto Medina, development manager at HMS. “We were out of lockers. They were small lockers and there’s a lot of equipment the guys use, so they were out of space. And then for the caliber of athlete we were trying to recruit, they’re just used to coming from top programs across the country and facilities that are at the top in the country as well and coming to a new sport like racing, it’s just new. We had to create an appeal for it and the facility was a big part of that.”
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Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR history, winning over 300 races securing its 15th Cup Series championship with Kyle Larson last year. But even after 40+ years in the sport, they continue to try and push to break new ground in the pursuit of perfection.
It’s a special day for us and I think about where the sport has come from and where it is today, especially with pit crews and training, it’s been an amazing ride from what I’ve seen back in 1984,” said Rick Hendrick. “We’re so honored today to let you experience this facility and we’re doubly excited because of Atrium and the team with Gene (Woods) and our area here in Charlotte.”
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