CONCORD, N.C. -- Friday evening, Ray Evernham was officially inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
After he was presented with his Hall of Fame ring by his son, Ray J. Evernham, and Jeff Gordon, Evernham stepped to the podium and delivered a heartfelt speech.
He shared a multitude of memories, noting that Hendrick Motorsports "always will be" his home, and that owner Rick Hendrick has become a dear friend. Of course, he also mentioned the driver with whom he won three championships.
"It's been a long ride," Evernham said. "Driver, a crew chief, an owner and TV and radio. But it may never have happened if it wasn't for that kid that Andy Petree called me about: Jeff Gordon."
"I promise you, as a crew chief, there's no better feeling than to know that no one else on the planet could drive that car any faster than the guy that drove it today," he continued. "Jeff gave me that feeling every time we raced. I thank you, and I love you, bud."
Watch the new Hall of Famer's full speech in the video above, courtesy of NBC Sports.