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Jimmie Johnson says ‘Hendrick is my home’ as he signs extension through 2017

Fan favorite Jimmie Johnson, saying “in my heart Hendrick is my home,” is not going anywhere. (Associated Press)
Ap

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jimmie Johnson knew he wasn’t leaving Hendrick Motorsports, even as questions began to swirl when negotiations on an extension stretched deep into the final year of his contract.

All that speculation was for naught: Rick Hendrick has locked the six-time champion and sponsor Lowe’s into a two-year contract extension that runs through the 2017 season. The deal announced Monday comes as Johnson prepares for the opening race of NASCAR’s playoffs, and he seemed amused that his possible free agency “caught some buzz” throughout the industry as negotiations continued.

“In my heart, Hendrick is my home, Lowe’s is my sponsor and I certainly hope it stays this way until the day I quit driving,” Johnson told the Associated Press.

In addition to the extensions for Johnson and Lowe’s, crew chief Chad Knaus had previously inked a new three-year deal through the 2018 season.

It solidifies a powerhouse team that has been together since Lowe’s came aboard in 2001 when Hendrick formed the No. 48 specifically for Johnson. The company had been involved in NASCAR at various levels for decades, but was persuaded by Hendrick to take a chance on an unproven driver in a new fourth team for the organization.

Lowe’s was on the car when Johnson ran three Cup races in 2001, and the nucleus of driver, sponsor and crew chief has been together since Johnson’s 2002 rookie season.

The partnership has produced six championships and 74 victories in 14 seasons. Johnson, who will make his 500th career start later this month, is seeking a record-tying seventh championship in this year’s playoffs. The Chase begins Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway and Johnson is tied with two others for the top seed in the 16-driver field.

Chase preview

A glance at the 16 NASCAR drivers racing in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship listed in order of Chase ranking:

48 Jimmie Johnson: Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports. Won four times, has only one top-five finish in last nine races as Hendrick Motorsports struggled all summer.

18 Kyle Busch: Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing. Won four races, missed first 11 races with a broken right leg and left foot suffered in Xfinity race at Daytona. Received waiver to become Chase eligible.

20 Matt Kenseth: Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing. Won four races, including regular-season finale at Richmond to earn a tie for top seed. Won three of last six races.

22 Joey Logano: Ford, Team Penske. Daytona 500 champion won three races. Made it to four-driver finale last season where bad pit stop derailed title hope.

4. Kevin Harvick: Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas Racing. Won first career Sprint Cup Series championship last year in debut season with SHR. Won two races with 10 runners-up finishes.

88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports. Won two races, enters Chase with four straight top 10s.

41 Kurt Busch: Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas Racing. Won two races, suspended for first three of the season. 2004 champion.

99 Carl Edwards, Joe Gibbs Racing: Left Roush Fenway Racing to join a new fourth team at Joe Gibbs Racing. Won two races.

2. Brad Keselowksi: Ford, Penske Racing. A six-race winner last year, won only once this season. 2012 champion.

78 Martin Truex Jr.: Chevrolet, Furniture Row Racing. Won third career race at Pocono; made it as one-car team.

11 Denny Hamlin: Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing. Tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and raced at Richmond. Won one race.

1. Jamie McMurray: Chevrolet, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Made Chase for first time. Second driver to earn berth for owner Chip Ganassi.

24 Jeff Gordon: Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports.Trying to win his fifth career championship in final season.

31 Ryan Newman: Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing. Nearly won the championship last season, finishing second to Kevin Harvick. Winless entering Chase for second straight season.

27 Paul Menard: Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing. Made first career Chase. Joins Ryan Newman as Richard Childress Racing drivers in field.

15 Clint Bowyer: Toyota, Michael Waltrip Racing. Coming off third straight winless season. Free agent driving in final season of Michael Waltrip Racing.