2008 hhr
I was goin up an incline and noticed a reduction in speed. The more I accelerated the car began to tick. I can’t go faster than 40 mph. I was able to get to the gas station and check the oil. The oil was on empty. I added some more oil but the ticking remains.

 

Sounds like you have terminal engine damage. I'm surprised it will even start back up.
Clarify the above in blue. "Oil was empty." Do you mean there was none showing on the dipstick ?
"I added some oil." How much oil did you add ? And did you get it back to full on the dipstick ?

 

X2 on the engine damage... Engines don't get along well with "no oil"

 

Plan in an evening of adventure, either pulling your engine apart investigating the timing chain and oil pump for damages or search the web for a replacement engine .

 

I would have thought you would have gotten an oil light.

 

Typical response: "Yeah, but that's been flashing for weeks so I ignored it."

Seriously; the oil light responds to pressure in the oil journals, it doesn't know if that is air or oil.