NASCAR: Top 5 figures who could be owners of the Carolina Panthers

JOLIET, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AXALTA Chevrolet, stands on the grid with Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Tales of the Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on September 17, 2017 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /

3 of 8

MARTINSVILLE, VA – APRIL 02: Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Motorsports (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) /

#5: Rick Hendrick

Rick Hendrick might not be a fan-favorite in NASCAR, but no one can deny that he may, in fact, be the greatest NASCAR owner of all-time and the fact that he built an empire and came about as close to a monopoly as one can possibly get in racing.

His eye for talent is also something I admire. Being able to find two of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history back-to-back with Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson is not something that can be taken lightly.

These two were up-and coming drivers when he found them, not proven in any form, and he picked these diamonds out of the rough and they’ve gone on to make him a legend in the NASCAR ownership world.

He may very well be doing the same thing with his current youth movement in signing phenoms Chase Elliott and William Byron.

Also, being able to persuade Dale Earnhardt Jr. over to his team may not have been the best racing move in the long run, but it was surely one of the greatest marketing decisions he has ever made.

Hendrick knows how to build a balanced team and scout talent that will not only compete in championships but also market the sport.

That being said, he’s so low on the list because quite frankly I have never heard him utter a word about football. I have no idea if his impeccable eye for talent would translate to the NFL, but I still believe he’d make a solid owner.

Home/Motorsports