Jimmie Johnson signs contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports

Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports have agreed on a contract extension that will keep the defending and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with the organization through the 2020 season.

Johnson, 41, debuted with Hendrick in 2001 and began running full time for the team the following season. During his tenure, he’s amassed a record-tying seven premier series championships and won 83 races, tied for sixth all-time with Cale Yarborough. Johnson has won a series-best three times during the 2017 season and is a virtual lock to earn a playoff berth for a 14th consecutive year.

“I’m very content with where I’m at in the racecar and just truly enjoy competing and love being on the track,” Johnson said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. “So, to have a three-year extension makes me smile and makes me excited about the future and just can’t wait to get in the car today and get out there and get to work.”

Although Johnson is at an age when many drivers retire or begin thinking about their post-racing careers, he said signing a three-year extension is not an indicator that he will retire when the contract expires. Contemporaries Jeff Gordon (age 45), Tony Stewart (46) and Carl Edwards (37) have each retired in the past two years, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. (42) announced in April he would retire at the end of the 2017 season.

“When the fire does go out, I will step down,” Johnson said. “I don’t have any framework now on a timeline. I just know that I’ve got three more years of trying to go out there and win championships and win races. I’m as hungry as I’ve ever been and as focused and dedicated on doing my job.

“We will see how these three years go and certainly from my standpoint I hope to collect another big trophy and then lots of other race trophies along the way and have some fun.”

In conjunction with Johnson’s extension, Hendrick also announced Friday that Lowes will remain as primary sponsor of Johnson’s No. 48 team through the 2018 season. Lowes has sponsored Johnson for the entirety of his Cup career.

“Jimmie is one of the best to ever drive,” team owner Rick Hendrick said in a statement. “We’re so fortunate to have him as part of our organization, and I feel even luckier to call him a friend. He’s a great champion, a terrific advocate for Lowe’s and a true ambassador for NASCAR. There’s no better person, and he’s as good in the race car today as he’s ever been.”

The contracts for Johnson and Lowes were both set to expire at the end of the current season. Crew chief Chad Knaus, who’s led the No. 48 team since 2002, has a contract through the 2018 season. Johnson said he’s hoping the only crew chief he’s worked with on a full-time basis at the Cup level will stick around longer.

“I think I’ve got another year to try to convince him,” Johnson said. “I’ve started this with him and I want to finish it with him. So, I’ll keep leaning on him. … I will do my best to keep him around as long as I can.”