CONCORD, N.C. - In the throes of a NASCAR Cup Series playoff battle, it takes a special occasion to get everyone at Hendrick Motorsports together.
Certainly, Monday's annual tradition has become just that.
The Learn, Live, Hope Golf Classic presented by the Hendrick Family Foundation was held at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing together 224 golfers as well as Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick and drivers Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Alex Bowman and Corey Day. Also in attendance were organization president and general manager, Jeff Andrews, as well as vice chairman, Jeff Gordon.
This year's event raised more than $1.6 million dollars, benefitting several charities supported by the foundation.
"We appreciate all of you being here. Thank you for making this possible," Hendrick said to the crowd. "We help a lot of great causes and every penny goes to helping kids or feeding (the) hungry or all the different charities support. So, thank you, thank you, thank you."
Among the organizations supported are Levine Children's Hospital, the National Marrow Donor's Program, Black Mountain's Home for Children, Victory Junction Gang, Boy Scouts of America and Camp Southern Ground.
"The Live, Learn, Hope Golf tournament that Rick Hendrick and the Hendrick Family Foundation puts on every year raises money for several great causes," Gordon added. "Helping those with hunger needs, kids and families in needs that may be battling cancer ... there are incredible partners and friends and family and celebrities that come out to support this cause and this great event."
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On Monday, that list included long drive champion and golf trick shot entertainer, Dan Boever, who brought drivers and Gordon up for displays in front of the crowd.
Originally founded as the Rick Hendrick Celebrity Golf Classic, the event began benefitting the National Marrow Donor Program in 2003. By 2008, the event name had changed to the Learn, Live, Hope Golf Classic. The Hendrick Family Foundation was established in 2015.