"I can't hardly wait to put a deal together" - When Rick Hendrick discussed hiring Jeff Gordon after learning of his free agency

When Jeff Gordon joined Hendrick Motorsports with car owner Rick Hendrick in 1993, the pairing was like lightning in a bottle. As history would have it, the driver-team combination would end up being one of the greatest in history.

Over his 23-year career, Gordon rewrote the NASCAR history books by winning four Cup Series championships and a third-best in history 93 Cup Series wins. In 2021, six years after retiring from NASCAR competition, Gordon was promoted to Vice Chairman of HMS to help contribute to the team's continued on-track success.

Back in 2019, during Gordon's days of being a NASCAR commentator for FOX Sports, the California native sat down with Hendrick to discuss a litany of topics, including when the car owner first signed the champion driver to race for his team.

The interview was posted to Axalta Racing's YouTube page. Axalta, formerly known as DuPont, was one of Gordon's primary sponsors throughout his entire racing career. When it comes to Axalta and Gordon's racing career, Hendrick said the two came hand in hand.

"I see you in Atlanta and find out that you don't have a deal," Hendrick said. "I can't hardly wait to try to put a deal together. I'm talking to Axalta, then DuPont, saying, 'Would you like to be an associate sponsor on this car?' They said, 'Well, why wouldn't we want to be the primary?'" (5:07 onwards)

Hendrick continued by saying Axalta has been an excellent partner for the organization ever since they struck a deal in 1993, adding that they would do anything to help them in the automobile business. The champion car owner went on to tell his former driver that he was the one who put the sponsor on the map with his iconic rainbow paint scheme and expressed his appreciation for all of his contributions to his race team.

"I want to thank you [Gordon] for building this place," Hendrick said. "You're a big part of helping me, both on and off the track. You and Axalta, you're a part of everything that's happened around here, so I appreciate that." (5:48 onwards)

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Jeff Gordon won four championships with Hendrick Motorsports

Jeff Gordon reached the pinnacle of the NASCAR Cup Series by winning championships in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001. His four championships rank fourth all-time, only behind Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson, who all have seven titles apiece.

All four of Gordon's titles were won behind the wheel of the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. His first three triumphs were with crew chief Ray Evernham, making them one of the greatest crew chief-driver combinations in the sport. Gordon's 1998 title was significant as he won a record-breaking 13 races in a single season, a record that still holds up today.

Gordon's fourth and final championship came in 2001 with a different crew chief, Robbie Loomis. Although he didn't win the championships in 2004, 2007, and 2014 under the playoff format, Gordon earned more points than any other driver in all three of those seasons, which would've made him a seven-time champion under the traditional points format that was revamped after the 2003 season.