Rick Hendrick's voice apparently has been heard.

The Bush administration came to the rescue of the U.S. auto industry Friday, offering $17.4 billion in emergency loans in exchange for concessions from the deeply troubled carmakers and their workers.

The rescue package may have eliminated any remaining uncertainty among consumers as to whether or not the Big Three automakers -- Ford, GM and Chrysler -- would survive this tough economic time.

Hendrick's Durham dealership, the Hendrick Durham Auto Mall, is on solid footing and should be operating as it has been in its current location long into the foreseeable future. The showroom was buzzing with activity Friday, and vehicles were being sold. But Hendrick also has recognized that the automakers have needed government assistance to keep operating, and he has lobbied lawmakers to take action.

"I hope some of our elected officials are listening," Hendrick, also a NASCAR car owner, said during NASCAR's season-ending awards banquet in New York earlier this month. "Our domestic automakers support more than five million jobs and represent the backbone of our country. So, let's make sure we do the same thing for Main Street what we've done for Wall Street."

President Bush came through for Hendrick on Friday. At the same time, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Congress should authorize the use of the second $350 billion from the financial rescue fund that it approved in October to rescue huge financial institutions.

"Allowing the auto companies to collapse is not a responsible course of action," President Bush said, adding that bankruptcy would deal "an unacceptably painful blow to hardworking Americans."

According to published reports, $13.4 billion of the money would be available this month and next, $9.4 billion for General Motors Corp. and $4 billion for Chrysler LLC. Both companies have said they soon might be unable to pay their bills without federal help. Ford Motor Co. has said it does not need immediate help.

Bush said the rescue package demanded concessions similar to those outlined in a bailout plan that was approved by the House but rejected by the Senate a week ago. It would give the automakers three months to come up with restructuring plans to become viable companies.

If they fail to produce a plan by March 31, the automakers will be required to repay the loans, which they would find very difficult.

Bush's plan is designed to keep the auto industry running in the short term, passing the longer-range problem on to the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Friday's action also should indicate to consumers how vital it can be to support GM and the auto industry and also that this is an excellent time to buy a vehicle.

Hendrick Durham Auto Mall is being aggressive in its pricing and placing a heavy emphasis on deal-making and customer satisfaction. The dealership intends to continue to carry the success it long has enjoyed into the coming year.

Friday's activity in Washington as well as at the dealership was more than enough proof of that.

Labels: General Motors, Hendrick Durham Auto Mall, President Bush, Rick Hendrick

Contrary to some reports, right now could be the best time to buy a vehicle.

"There are going to be fabulous deals," said Tom Libby of Power Information Network. "It's a buyer's market."

Furthermore, according to Jack Nerad, an executive market analyst at kbb.com, "virtually everybody can find what they want."

It also could be a great time for drivers or companies to buy what they are leasing. David Champion, senior auto tester at Consumer Reports magazine, said that "automakers "really don't want that car back, so you can negotiate hard."

It seems to be a particularly good time to buy or lease at Hendrick Durham Auto Mall. With better prices and larger inventory than other dealerships, nwith umerous lenders standing ready and able to do business and with a business philosophy that includes a commitment to customer enthusiasm, Hendrick Durham Auto Mall has been aggressively putting deals together that other dealerships can't this holiday season.

Price has been the easiest part of recent transactions at the Durham auto mall that features a full line of Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC and Cadillac. The selection of vehicles also has been very strong, and customers have been purchasing, leasing and driving new vehicles off the lot on a daily basis.

So, don't delay as the dealing continues.

Come on down to 409 S. Roxboro Street, just across from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and Durham Performing Arts Center. Save thousands of dollars just in time for Christmas, and be one of many visitors to Hendrick Durham Auto Mall who come away not only completely satisified but also loyal to the area's No. 1 dealership.

Labels: Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham Performing Arts Center, Hendrick Durham Auto Mall

The staff at Hendrick Durham Auto Mall, some of whom attended or have children who attend Hillside High School, offers congratulations to the Hornets football team on its outstanding 2008 season.

Hillside came within a play of making its first trip to the state-championship game in more than 60 years. Fayetteville's Byrd High School kicked a field-goal with less than three seconds remaining in Friday night's state semifinal game in Durham to knock off the Hornets by a 9-7 score.

The loss, only its second of the season, was tough for the Hillside team and its supporters to swallow. A penalty called on the Hornets on a missed field goal by Byrd allowed Byrd to convert a second opportunity for the victory. (See game story)

The Hornets had hoped to follow Riverside High into the state-championship game and keep the spotlight shining bright on Durham prep football. Riverside lost to Charlotte's Independence High in the 2006 title game in Duke's Wallace Wade Stadium.

Next week, Byrd will play 71st High in an all-Fayetteville final.

Fayetteville has three high-school football teams competing for state championships next weekend. But that can't take away from the talent that was on display this season for Hillside, which showed all season that it could hold its own with any teamon the schedule.

Led by running back Desmond Scott and quarterback Corey Gattis, coach Ray Harrison's Hornets compiled a record of 12-2-1. Scott rushed for more than 2,000 yards, and Gattis passed for neatly 2,500 yards.

Hillside reportedly had not reached the semifinals of the state playoffs for more than 60 years.

The staff and management of the Hendrick Durham Auto Mall were proud that the Hornets were able to make history this season and to voice their continued support for local youth sports teams.

Labels: Corey Gattis, Desmond Scott, Durham Riverside, Fayetteville Byrd, Hendrick Durham Auto Mall, Hillside football, Ray Harrison

Durham's revitalization has taken another large step forward with the expansion of Rick Hendrick Chevrolet and the long-awaited opening of the Durham Performing Arts Center right across the street from the dealership.

In addition to Chevys, the new Hendrick Durham Auto Mall has added Cadillac, Buick, GMC and Pontiac to its product line. The added high-end inventory, remodeled showroom and potential for the future have provided renewed excitement.

Meanwhile, the new Durham Performing Arts Center has opened its doors. The $48 million performing arts center opened Sunday night with a performance by legendary blues singer B.B. King.

The multi-use performance space, which seats up to 2,800 people, is the largest performing arts center in both North Carolina and South Carolina. This weekend, it will host performances of "A Christmas Carol."

The center's spring 2009 calendar is already booked with a slew of Broadway shows, including "Rent," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Wicked" and "The Color Purple." Also booked to perform at the center are comedians Bill Cosby and Robin Williams and musical entertainer John Legend.

The spectacular cultural landmark is expected to draw audiences to more than 100 shows each year with convenient accessoff 1-40, 1-540 and 1-85 and more than 3,500 parking spaces within walking distance.

Tickets are available by phone at (919) 680-2787 and online at www.DPACnc.com.

Labels: Bill Cosby, Durham Performing Arts Center, Hendrick Auto Mall, John Legend, Robin Williams

In keeping with the tradition of "Black Friday," one of the busiest shopping days of the year, Hendrick Durham Auto Mall is pleased to announce discounts and rebates of up to $20,000 on in-stock 2008 and 2009 inventory.

But hurry. This offer ends at 6 p.m. Sat., Nov. 29, 2008.

We have it all at Hendrick Durham Auto Mall: Superior Selection, Superior Prices, Superior Customer Service.

Formerly Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Durham, we now offer a full line of Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Chevy.

The dealership management and staff wishes you a happy Thanksgiving and holiday season and invites you to consider us for all your transportation needs.

The dealership will be closed on Thanksgiving but will be open under normal operating hours on Friday and Saturday. Call us at (919) 682-0451 for more information.

Labels: Black Friday, Hendrick Durham Auto Mall, Thanksgiving

MIAMI (AP) -- Nothing could stop Jimmie Johnson's drive into the NASCAR record books. Not even a final, furious push by Carl Edwards.

Edwards led a race-high 157 laps at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Sunday's season-ending race, ran out of gas as he crossed the finish line, but still won the race for his series-high ninth victory of the year.

The effort still was not enough to wrest the Sprint Cup title away from Johnson, who locked up his third consecutive championship with a solid 15th-place run.

Johnson, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, beat Edwards by 69 points to join Cale Yarborough as the only drivers in NASCAR history to win three straight championships.

"It's the ultimate reward," Johnson said. "We worked so hard to put ourselves in this position.

"It's just total teamwork and dedication. There were times this year when things were dark, but we buckled down and got to work, and that's what it was really all about."

Yarborough won his three titles 30 years ago, under a different scoring system and in a very different NASCAR. He accomplished his feat when drivers scraped together the cash they needed to race, and the champion was the guy on top at the end of a long grueling season.

Johnson's titles have been won in the glitzy new championship format, in which the best 12 drivers compete over a 10-race sprint to the title. His team has mastered the system, proving themselves unbeatable in their pursuit of Yarborough's mark.

He has won his titles with consistency -- Johnson finished outside the top 10 just twice in this Chase, a 15th place finish at Texas -- and by winning eight of the last 30 Chase races.

He also has gotten very rich along the way, winning more than $2 million in the 10 Chase races this year.

Yarborough notched a combined $1.63 million in all three of his championship seasons.

Although the industry was keenly aware of its front-row seat to history, the celebration seemed subdued because of the economic crisis that has found its way to NASCAR. The Big Three automakers are crumbling; car owners are struggling to find sponsorship.

Widespread layoffs are expected Monday, when teams could combine to let go as many as 1,000 employees.

NASCAR officials have said the sport would suspend all testing next year to help teams save millions in their 2009 budgets.

Had the crisis hit earlier, and the testing ban been in place this season, Johnson very well might not have won the title. He struggled at the start of the year in adapting to the full-time use of NASCAR's current car.

Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus embarked on an aggressive testing schedule that helped them catch the competition by late summer.

"It's what we work for," said Knaus, the first crew chief to win three consecutive titles. "It's what we do. We don't want to do anything but race and win races and win championships."

When Edwards won back-to-back races at Atlanta and Texas to take a bite out of Johnson's points lead, Johnson rebounded with a victory at Phoenix last week to make Sunday's drive a mere formality. He needed only to finish 36th or better to win the title.

Johnson qualified 30th for Sunday's race. But he moved to the top of the speed charts in Saturday's practices, then wasted no time driving through the field at the start of the race -- picking up at least one position a lap and running inside the top five as the laps wound down.

He stopped for gas and tires with 13 laps to go, leading to his mid-pack finish.

Edwards was a gracious runner-up. After his trademark celebratory backflip, he walked over to Johnson's passing car on the track to congratulate him.

"At least we can lay our heads down tonight and know we won some races and just got beaten by a true champion," said Edwards, who gained 72 points on Johnson in the final race.

Labels: Carl Edwards, Hendrick Motorsports, Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR

'El Cajon Posse' Out In Force For Johnson Celebration

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Just when Carl Edwards seemed to have Jimmie Johnson on the ropes, the two-time defending NASCAR champion delivered the knockout punch.

Johnson moved inches away from his record-tying third consecutive Cup championship with a dominating victory Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, where he led a race-high 217 of the 313 laps to deflate Edwards' title hopes.

Johnson heads into next week's season finale with a 141-point lead over Edwards. He needs only to finish 36th or better to join Cale Yarborough (1976-78) as the only drivers in NASCAR history to win three straight Cup titles.

"This is what I've worked my whole life for," Johnson said in Victory Lane.

The victory was his third straight at Phoenix and had Edwards on the edge of conceding after his own fourth-place finish.

"It's still possible," Edwards sighed. "It's not probable."

No, it's not. Not with the way Johnson is running.

Johnson has made a mockery of the Chase-for-the-Championship format, reeling off 14 victories in the 49 races since NASCAR adopted the format in 2004. He contended for the title in 2004 and 2005, only to come up just short both seasons.

He's on the verge of joining Yarborough, David Pearson, Lee Petty and Darrell Waltrip as a three-time champion.

Jeff Gordon, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate, has four titles. Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty won a NASCAR-record seven.

Johnson has done it in dominating fashion, particularly this year; he's finished in the top 10 in seven Chase races, and his lowest finish was a sub-par 15th last week at Texas.

Edwards won at Texas, his second straight victory, to take a bite off of Johnson's lead.

Johnson struggled through Saturday's final practice session and suddenly looked vulnerable. But crew chief Chad Knaus worked with Johnson late into the night to figure out a better setup and strategy, and the duo had the field covered from the start on Sunday.

"Jimmie stepped up," Knaus said. "We came here with something a little bit different than what we ran in the past. It worked great for qualifying, but not in the race. Jimmie brought a lot to the table in pointing things out to me. We put a different setup in the car, and it was fast all day."

With a crowd of friends -- including professional baseball players Brian and Marcus Giles -- watching from his pit box, Johnson started from the pole but gave way to Jamie McMurray on the first lap. He did not take the lead until Lap 81, but was never challenged from there.

McMurray briefly moved out front again after a round of late pit stops. But Johnson blew past him in Turn 2 of a restart and hardly was challenged again.

Kurt Busch made a brief run at Johnson in the closing laps but graciously settled for second.

"He's doing something pretty special," Busch said of Johnson. "It's really a privilege to finish second to him today."

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Labels: Hendrick Motorsports, Jimmie Johnson