Dale Earnhardt Jr. feeling healthy, open to contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson each have contracts that expire at the end of the season, but the Hendrick Motorsports teammates both expect they will sign extensions and remain with the organization for the foreseeable future, they said Friday at Auto Club Speedway.

During the offseason, Earnhardt said discussions with team owner Rick Hendrick about a new contract were placed on the backburner until he could determine how he was feeling, after missing the entire second half of last season with concussion symptoms. The 42-year-old Earnhardt missed 18 races in 2016 with his second concussion in five years, and the fourth known concussion of his career.

“It’s only been a few races, but I feel really good and we have had some discussions about planning to get together,” Earnhardt said. “It’s not something I put on the shelf for sure, we are getting closer and closer.”

Following a rigorous rehabilitation program, NASCAR’s 14-time most popular driver was medically cleared to return in December and has started all four races this season, with a best finish of 16th. And now that he’s healthy, Earnhardt said he is open to begin the process of negotiating a new deal with the team he’s been with since 2008.

“I have done some things that I really think have gave me a lot of confidence in the car and in my ability to continue to race,” Earnhardt said. “I’m not in any hurry to sit down and have those discussions, but we have been chit-chatting a little bit about that we need to go ahead and start heading in that direction.”

Johnson is also working toward finalizing a new deal. The defending Monster Energy Cup Series champion signed an extension in 2015 that went through this season, coinciding with sponsor Lowes also extending its contract for the same duration. Driver and sponsor have been paired since 2002, and the seven-time Cup champion has never driven for an organization other than Hendrick. Johnson said he expects Lowes to re-up, as well.

“We are always talking and working on the details,” Johnson said. “We don’t have anything ready yet, but I’m sure we will announce before long. As you can tell, I’m not overly concerned.

“Hendrick is my home, so I’m not worried about where that stuff will actually be executed and what point the season it will be executed, but I know it will happen soon.”