Hendrick Motorsports, Bank of America surprise military veteran
CONCORD, N.C. — When Rick Groesbeck and his 6-year-old son Garrett showed up at the Hendrick Motorsports race shop, they had no idea they were in for the experience of a lifetime.
And then another. And another.
Bank of America and Hendrick Motorsports recently teamed up to surprise Groesbeck, an 11-year military veteran, with a series of thank-you gifts he never saw coming.
Among them: A personal tour of the Hendrick shop from Rick Hendrick, a trip through Hendrick’s private car collection, a meeting with reigning Xfinity Series champion Chase Elliott and an Elliott-driven ridealong at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
To top it all off, Groesbeck will wave the green flag for Saturday night’s Bank of America 500.
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“What they did that day and what I get to do this weekend, you see that happening to other people,” Groesbeck told USA TODAY Sports. “You never think what I did was anything compared to what other people did, and you think there’s other people out there who deserve it more than you.
“So to have all that happen, I’m truly humbled by that appreciation and gratitude.”
Groesbeck, 46, had shown up to the Hendrick shop at the request of Charlotte Bridge Home, which helps area veterans transition back to civilian life after their military service has concluded. Groesbeck was told a camera crew wanted to talk to a veteran who was also a NASCAR fan, but he had no clue what was about to happen.
When Hendrick snuck up from behind and offered a tour, it began an afternoon many race fans can only dream of. Groesbeck got a behind-the-scenes look at the Hendrick shop and museum, quizzed Kasey Kahne crew chief Keith Rodden about the adjustable track bar and watched Hendrick lift Garrett into a race car while wearing Jeff Gordon’s helmet and gloves (the latter of which he got to keep).
“Members of the military and police, we just don’t do enough to say thank you,” Hendrick told USA TODAY Sports. “It was as special for me as it was for them.”
One of the highlights of the afternoon wasn’t even planned. When Hendrick asked who Groesbeck’s favorite driver was, he discovered it was Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick. So Hendrick got Harvick on the phone, then handed it to Groesbeck to let him say hello.
“I was blown away he would do that,” Groesbeck said. “It brought tears to my eyes.”
When father and son emerged from their tour with Hendrick, Elliott was standing there waiting, and Garrett recognized him immediately. Elliott was pleased to learn the Groesbecks had spent time at the recent Darlington Xfinity race listening to the No. 9 car’s scanner.
“I’ve never done anything like this, so this is cool,” Elliott said. “He’s a real good guy, real big race fan. Doing things like this with a veteran and someone who has served with our country, that’s really special.”
Jeff Cathey, senior military affairs executive at Bank of America, said the bank sees thanking veterans as part of its civic duty. But it goes beyond just appreciation; the bank has hired approximately 10,000 veterans over the last few years.
“With a particular emphasis on the transition of veterans, we’re very intrigued by who they are and what they’ve done before they turn back into civilians,” he said. “That draws our attention.”
Follow Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck
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