ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 8, 1996 TAG: 9612100038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
Rick Hendrick made his first public appearance since being hit with federal conspiracy charges and, surrounded by friends and stock-car industry associates, vowed victory in the courtroom.
GFriends quickly gathered, supplying hugs and pats on the back, as a subdued and hesitant Hendrick took his seat at a NASCAR awards breakfast Friday in the Waldorf-Astoria's Starlight Room.
Hendrick told The Charlotte Observer he could not discuss the government's case against him, but hoped to explain his view of the charges as soon as next week.
``There's nothing more I would like to do than lay out my side of the case about how unjust and selective and untrue all of this is,'' Hendrick said. ``I promise you when you see it, you'll be amazed.''
Hendrick was charged Wednesday with bribing corrupt executives of American Honda Motor Co. in return for favorable treatment in getting dealerships and hot-selling cars.
The Charlotte auto dealer is one of the nation's largest auto retailers and owns the racing teams that have won the Winston Cup Series championship the past two years.
Hendrick's attorney, Harold Bender, said in a prepared statement that Hendrick had cooperated in the government's investigation of corruption within the Honda organization.
Hendrick was in extremely supportive territory Friday.
Photographers took dozens of publicity photos of him with his award, and friends repeatedly offered warm wishes.
He was shielded by Charlotte sports-marketing consultant Max Muhleman, another public relations specialist and an attorney, who counseled Hendrick on questions he should not answer.
``There's an old saying that when you're under attack, you want to go home,'' Hendrick said. ``Well, I feel like I am home with the NASCAR family.''
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB