See Also: Jimmie Johnson Biography
June 26, 2007
NASCAR issues teams #48, #24 penalties for Sonoma Infractions: NASCAR has issued penalties and fines to the #24 and #48 Hendrick Motorsports teams that compete in the Nextel Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions found this past weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. Both cars – the #24 driven by Jeff Gordon and the #48 driven by Jimmie Johnson – were found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used do not conform to NASCAR rules); 20-2.1E (parts or components of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that have been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance will not be permitted); and 20-2H (fenders may not be cut or altered except for wheel or tire clearance which must be approved by the Series Director) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book. The violations were found during the initial inspection process last Friday. As a result, Gordon and Johnson have each been penalized 100 driver championship points. Their respective crew chiefs – Steve Letarte and Chad Knaus – have each been fined $100,000, suspended for the next six Nextel Cup Series events until Aug. 15, 2007 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2007. In addition, Rick Hendrick, owner of the #24, has been penalized 100 car owner championship points as has Gordon, who is the owner of the #48.(NASCAR PR)
Hendrick Motorsports response to NASCAR: Car owner Rick Hendrick responded to NASCAR sanctions announced today involving the #24 and #48 Nextel Cup Series teams of Hendrick Motorsports. "We are disappointed in NASCAR's decision and feel the penalties are excessive," Hendrick said. "Right now, all of our options are being evaluated, including our personnel situation and a possible appeal to the National Stock Car Racing Commission. We'll take some time to decide on a direction and make an announcement regarding our plans for New Hampshire later in the week." (Hendrick Motorsports PR)
June 23, 2007
Gordon and Johnson OK'd for Saturday practices: Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon wasted no time returning to the track after NASCAR inspectors approved their cars. The two had an unexpected day off Friday after their cars failed to pass inspection. NASCAR deemed the front fenders on the No. 24 and No. 48 Chevrolets illegal and banned the two drivers from the day's practice and qualifying. NASCAR did, however, allow the teams to alter the fenders and send the cars back through inspection. Both teams did that Friday, but waited until Saturday morning for official approval. "Everything is fine," said Doug Duchardt, vice president of development for Hendrick. "We're way behind, but we'll just go out there and prepare today the way we would on any Saturday and hope for the best." (AP/ABC News)
June 22, 2007
J. Gordon and J. Johnson fail inspection; Neither allowed to qualify or practice: Nextel Cup Series points leader Jeff Gordon and defending series champion Jimmie Johnson, both of the Hendrick Motorsports stable, have failed inspection at Infineon Raceway. The cars of neither Gordon, the defending race champion, nor Johnson will be allowed to practice or qualify Friday. NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said both cars "failed the initial inspection ... as a result of body modifications found to be outside NASCAR tolerances. The front fender [of both cars] was modified outside of NASCAR regulations. They did not meet the C2 template inspection." According to Poston, Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 and No. 25 cars, for Kyle Busch and Casey Mears, passed inspections. Poston added, "both teams have an opportunity to repair and resubmit their cars" for inspection up to the start of practice Saturday. "Assuming they pass inspection, they can practice [Saturday] and start at the rear of the field [Sunday]," he said. (NASCAR.com) Note: Further penalties, including possible suspensions if any, will be announced next week.
June 28, 2006
#48 Lowe's Crew wins Drive-Thru Challenge: Jimmie Johnson's team extended its lead in the season-long Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge by winning the award in Sunday's Dodge/ Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. The victory was the fourth of the season for the #48 Lowe's pit crew. They also picked up wins at Daytona, California, and Charlotte. Tony Stewart's, Elliott Sadler's and Kyle Busch's crews are tied for second place with two wins each. Johnson's team will be awarded the weekly $10,500 prize. An additional $105,000 will be presented to the pit crew with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Johnson's over-the-wall crew, which spent only 109.657 seconds on pit road during the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event, includes: Chris Anderson (jackman), Art Simmons (front-tire carrier), Mike Trower (front-tire changer), Ron Malec (rear-tire carrier), Tim Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Rich Gutierrez (gasman), Mike Knauer (catch can) and Sean Kerlin (eighth-man). The Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season with the Nextel Cup Series. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com.(DMF Communications PR)
June 19, 2006:
J. Gordon angry with teammate Johnson: Jeff Gordon was upset with Hendrick Motorsports teammate and good friend Jimmie Johnson during Sunday's 3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. He led 50 of the first 68 laps, but it was a pair of three-wide encounters with Johnson that raised Gordon's ire. Gordon spoke to his crew over the team's radio about his displeasure, and the conversation was picked up by Fox television broadcasters. "I'll definitely talk to him about it," Gordon said as rain pelted the garage after the race was called. "I didn't understand why the second he got a chance to take me three-wide when I was trying to pass somebody, [he did]. "We had a good car, and we were taking our time, making some passes, and he got inside me, made it three-wide twice. I just didn't think it was necessary at the time, and I was just asking for him to give me a little bit of a break and explain to me what was going on." (Scene Daily)
June 5, 2006:
Knaus Wins WYPALL® Wipers Race Award: Apparently it takes a lot more than bad starting position, a mishandling race car and an accident on the track to keep Chad Knaus and his No. 48 Lowe’s team down. No matter how bad the odds seemed stacked against them, Knaus never lets his crew quit, as we all saw in Sunday’s Neighborhood Excellence 400. Knaus gave a textbook display of how to turn a dismal day into a top-ten finish, and earned the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award for his efforts. Few would have thought that Jimmy Johnson stood a chance of finishing in the top-20 at the beginning of this weekend’s race. Johnson started in the 42nd position and wasn’t gaining any positions in the early stages of the event. His car was way to loose and he ended up losing one lap to the leaders as a result. To make matters worse, he suffered damage to the rear end of his machine after getting spun out from behind by the No. 40 car. Just when it seemed like it was the end of the road for the No. 48 team, Knaus called for a round of adjustments that dialed in the Lowe’s Chevy. Johnson not only got his lap back, but drove his way to a sixth-place finish. “It wasn’t me today; it was Jimmy (Johnson) and the crew” said Knaus after the race. “When their chips are down, they bow up and that’s what I love about my guys. I couldn’t have done this without my support staff. They’re awesome.” A panel of voters; including Stan Creekmore of Circle Track Plus, Tony Eury Sr. and a WYPALL® Wipers representative; all agreed that Knaus deserved Crew Chief of the Race honors. “Chad (Knaus) never quits,” said Eury Sr. “Whatever can wrong, he seems to have a plan for it. His car was running terrible today, but he listened to his driver and came up with a plan to fix it and finished just outside the top-five. When you have a bad day and still end up with a top-10, the crew chief has done an awesome job.” (SMC 500 PR)
June 1, 2006:
Johnson's #48 Lowe's Crew wins weekly Drive-Thru Challenge: Jimmie Johnson's over-the-wall crew took the lead in the season-long Checkers / Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge by tallying its third win of the season in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Johnson's crew spent 558.658 seconds on pit road during the NASCAR® NEXTEL Cup event, helping boost its driver to a second-place finish in the circuit's longest race of the season. Johnson's over-the-wall crew, part of the Hendrick Motorsports family, consists of: Chris Anderson (jackman), Art Simmons (front-tire carrier), Mike Trower (front-tire changer), Ron Malec (rear-tire carrier), Tim Ladyga (rear-tire changer), Rich Gutierrez (gasman), Mike Knauer (catch can) and Sean Kerlin (eighth-man). The #48 team, guided by crew chief Chad Knaus, also picked up pit crew challenge wins at Daytona International Speedway and California Speedway in February. Johnson's crew, which will be awarded the weekly $10,500 prize, is vying for the $105,000 bonus that will be presented by Checkers/Rally's to the team with the most wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com. (DMFCommunications PR)
May 26, 2006;
Johnson wins Sunday, he'll join elite group for 5 consec. wins: Only five drivers in NASCAR history have won the same event four consecutive years. Jimmie Johnson will become the sixth if he wins the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night. Richard Petty did it four times, Darrell Waltrip did it twice, and Jeff Gordon also has done it twice. Dan Gurney and Rusty Wallace each did it once. Johnson's success at Lowe's Motor Speedway is remarkable. He has five consecutive victories in nine career starts at Charlotte. Only once did he fail to finish in the top 10. Those stats don't include his victory on the Nextel All-Star Challenge last weekend. (Dallas Morning News)
May 21, 2006:
Johnson wins All-Star Challenge: There's a very clear reason why Jimmie Johnson considers Lowe's Motor Speedway his own personal playground: He owns the track. Johnson won the Nextel All-Star Challenge and its $1 million prize Saturday night, his seventh victory at the suburban Charlotte track. "Good job driver! Good job!'' crew chief Chad Knaus radioed. "This is your house!'' Indeed it is. Johnson, who also won the All-Star race in 2003, has won three-straight Coca-Cola 600s and will try to make it four in a row next Sunday night. Kevin Harvick, who won the second segment of the event, took only two tires on the final pit stops while everyone else took four. It was a risky gamble, and Johnson wasted no time passing him for the lead when the final 20-lap sprint began Johnson then pulled away and Harvick finished a whopping 1.729 seconds behind. (CNNSI.com - Results)
May 15, 2006:
Lowe's and Jimmie Johnson extends with Hendrick through 2010: Lowe’s Companies Inc. today announced a multi-year extension of its primary sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 48 Chevrolet driven by Jimmie Johnson in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Under the new agreement, Lowe’s will continue its primary sponsorship of the No. 48 Chevrolet through the 2010 racing season. Johnson, 30, also signed a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports that keeps him behind the wheel through 2010. Financial terms were not disclosed. “I’m with the best team and the best sponsor in the sport,” said Johnson, a native of El Cajon, Calif. “Since I started in Nextel Cup racing, my association with Lowe’s and Hendrick Motorsports has been absolutely incredible. I couldn’t be more proud of this relationship and look forward to continuing what we’ve started with the No. 48 Lowe’s team.” (Hendrick Motorsports PR)
May 2, 2006:
Knaus Wins WYPALL® Crew Chief of the Race award: In typical Talladega fashion, the Aaron's 499 played out like a 200 mph game of chess. In the end, it was Chad Knaus' decision to bring the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet in for service on the last round of pit stops which proved to be the game winning strategy. Jimmie Johnson's fresh tires were exactly what he needed to climb through the pack and capture the win. Knaus' triumphant tactics earned him the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. With 22 laps to go, Knaus was left with the difficult choice of whether to have his driver pit or stay on the track. Knaus elected to have Johnson reload with fresh tires for the final run. The decision put Johnson in 15th place for the restart, but Johnson had little difficulty storming to the front. A panel of voters; including a member of the local media, Tony Eury Sr. and a Wypall Wipers representative; agreed that Knaus' strategy earned him Crew Chief of the Race honors. For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, Wypall Wipers presented Knaus $1,000. At the end of the season, the Nextel Cup crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Knaus' first Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which ties him with Darian Grubb, Todd Berrier and Roy McCauley for second-place in the standings. Robbie Reiser and Kenny Francis are tied for the lead, each with two wins. (Wypall PR)
May 1, 2006:
Johnson wins rain delayed Aaron's 499: No controversy this time. Jimmie Johnson's win was fair and square. Johnson erased a career full of Talladega Superspeedway troubles, barreling past teammate Brian Vickers with one lap to go then holding off a charge from Tony Stewart to win the rain-postponed Aaron's 499 on Monday. It makes Johnson 2-for-2 in restrictor-plate races this year. And this one won't have an asterisk. His season-opening Daytona 500 win fell under intense scrutiny when crew chief Chad Knaus was suspended for cheating during race preparations. Although Johnson rallied to win the race in a legal car, he was forced to defend himself and his team from a wave of criticism that spoiled the victory. Not this time. (ABC News - Points - Results)
April 7, 2006:
Johnson to race Shamu paint scheme: Lowe’s and SeaWorld announced today that Jimmie Johnson will feature a Shamu paint scheme on his Chevrolet when the Daytona 500 champion returns to the superspeedway on July 1. “The No. 48 Lowe’s team has done some great family-themed paint schemes in the past few years,” said Johnson. “This Shamu scheme is no different. All kids love Shamu. I know I did growing up in San Diego. Now, I’ll be able to bring Shamu to the beaches of Daytona and hopefully introduce him to victory lane.” Lowe’s is the official Home Improvement Store of all the Busch Entertainment Corp. (BEC) theme parks, including SeaWorld. The paint scheme is part of SeaWorld’s introduction of its all new Shamu show, called “Believe” at each of the SeaWorld parks this year. In addition to the Shamu paint scheme, a lucky race fan will have the opportunity to see the new show and watch as Jimmie Johnson races the Shamu No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet. Fans can log on to www.lowesracing.com, sign up for a free Team Lowe’s Racing fan club membership, then race the specially designed No. 48 Chevrolet online. The fan with the fastest time will win a trip to Orlando to visit SeaWorld and Discovery Cove as well as the opportunity to watch Jimmie race. The Contest will run from April 7 to May 12. “Lowe’s is pleased to offer this unique experience to our race fans,” said Bob Gfeller, Lowe’s senior vice president. (GMR Live PR)
March 29, 2006:
Goodyear testing at Lowes leads to record speeds, Johnson wrecks in AM
March 25, 2006:
Johnson to replace Schrader at Goodyear tire test: Jimmie Johnson will replace Ken Schrader in next week’s planned Goodyear tire test at Lowe's Motor Speedway, track officials confirmed Saturday. Originally, Scott Riggs, Bobby Labonte, Kevin Harvick and Schrader were selected by NASCAR to participate in the two-day test that begins Tuesday. (The State)
March 12, 2006:
Johnson edges Kenseth: It took Jimmie Johnson 270 laps to get to the front Sunday, but that was soon enough. Johnson took advantage of a late-race caution flag, catching and passing Matt Kenseth in a two-lap overtime sprint to the finish Sunday in the NASCAR Nextel Cup UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet surged past Kenseth's No. 17 Ford on the outside after the two sped side-by-side through the third and fourth turns on the 1.5-mile oval for the final time. The winner crossed by finish line 0.115 seconds about half a car-length ahead as he led a lap for the only time in the race. Carl Edwards beat Johnson last spring at Atlanta with the same kind of move and then Johnson beat Kurt Busch with an outside pass last fall at Charlotte. (ABC News - Results - Points)
Feb. 28, 2006:
Johnson and Crew wins consecutive Checkers®/Rally’s® Drive-Thru challenge: Checkers®/Rally’s®, the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR®, today announced that Driver Jimmie Johnson™ and the No. 48® Lowe’s Hendrick Motorsports® Team have secured their second consecutive Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge win. “For the second week in a row, the guys in our pit crew have performed like a well oiled machine,” said Jimmie Johnson, whose No. 48 car spent the least amount of time in pit lane at the California Speedway on Sunday. “This team has worked incredibly hard to come in first and second place in the first two races of the season, and I am happy that Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge recognizes our pit crew’s significant accomplishments.” For their win, the No. 48 team will receive an award of $10,500, and they are leading the season-long competition for the grand prize of $105,000. “Once again, we congratulate Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 Lowe’s Hendrick Motorsports Team for their successful performance on pit road,” said Richard Turer, Vice President of Marketing, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. “The No. 48’s pit crew has proven that a great finish on the track takes teamwork and commitment. The crews at our restaurants understand that as well, so on behalf of the entire Checkers/Rally’s team, I congratulate Jimmie and his crew for their second successful performance.” The No. 48 Lowe’s Hendrick Motorsports® Team wasn’t the only team to win a second Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge this weekend. (Checkers®/Rally’s® PR)
Feb. 23, 2006:
Knuas on penalty "blown way out of proportion": Johnson says Knaus believes there's been too much of that already. "From a media standpoint it's been blown way out of proportion," Knaus said. "I got in trouble for something during qualifying. ...This should have no bearing on what this team has accomplished. Jimmie shouldn't have to deal with it a damn bit. He's won the Daytona 500 man, and he should be held up by his shoulders right now." Knaus clung to phrases like "We pushed it a little bit too far," and, "We got caught with something that NASCAR didn't like." In that, he's like virtually everybody else in the sport. Cheating is something that other guys do, and that provides all of the rationalization needed to join the fun. "It is up to us to put a product out there that will win races," Knaus said. (More of story at ThatsRacin with David Poole)
Feb. 22, 2006:
Johnson crew wins Pit Crew award: Jimmie Johnson and Darian Grubb would not have won the Daytona 500 without the efficient work of the entire No. 48 team. In addition to bringing home the checkered flag, the team also earned the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge Award for least amount of time spent on pit road. Gas Man Rich Gutierrez is one of several NASCAR crew members who hail from California. He grew up in Yorba Linda, less than 45 miles from California Speedway. (NASCAR/Checker/Rally's PR)
Feb. 21, 2006:
Daytona penalties announced, including Knaus: NASCAR announced today that four penalties have been issued to two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams, as a result of rule violations this past weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Chad Knaus, crew chief for the No. 48 Chevrolet driven by Jimmie Johnson, has been fined $25,000 and suspended from all NASCAR events until March 22, 2006. Knaus has also been placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2006. The penalties come because of an unapproved template modification to the rear window area, violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 20-3.12.1 (A) (unapproved template modification.) of the 2006 NASCAR Rule book. The violation was discovered during Feb. 12 post-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500. On Feb. 13, NASCAR ejected Knaus from further participation in Daytona 500 activities as a result of the violation. Three penalties were assessed to the No. 96 Chevrolet team, due to the use of an unapproved carburetor, a violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) of the 2006 NASCAR Rule Book. Crew chief Philippe Lopez was fined $25,000; driver Terry Labonte was penalized with the loss of 25 driver championship points; and car owner William Saunders was penalized 25 owner championship points. This rule violation was also discovered during post-qualifying inspection for the Daytona 500. (NASCAR PR)
Feb. 19, 2006:
Jimmie Johnson wins Daytona 500: Maybe Jimmie Johnson didn't need to cheat to win his first Daytona 500. Johnson won a two-lap shootout Sunday to claim the victory, capping a roller-coaster week that saw NASCAR kick his crew chief out of competition for cheating. Johnson had a strong car when he arrived at Daytona International Speedway 10 days ago, and posted the fifth-fastest time in time trials. But when NASCAR gave his Chevrolet a careful once-over, inspectors discovered that Chad Knaus had made an illegal modification. Knaus was sent home, seemingly spoiling Johnson's shot to win The Great American Race. Not on this Sunday. "I knew deep down inside my heart that this team could still win this race," Johnson said in Victory Lane. "There's no doubt that not having Chad here was a huge handicap, but everybody stepped up. I am just so proud of this team." (ABC News - Results - Points)
Feb. 19, 2006:
Suspended Knaus keeps in contact with #48 team: Since Knaus went home, NASCAR has approved the Hendrick Motorsports crew chief's post-practice telephone and e-mail communication with his team and Johnson in preparation for the 500. Johnson's interim crew chief at the speedway is Darian Grubbs. The No. 48 Chevy was 18th on the list of fast times during Saturday's final practice, at 190.670 mph or 47.202 seconds —.555 seconds slower than Ken Schrader's top lap of 46.708 seconds. "He's been a No. 48 guy from the beginning," Johnson said of Grubbs. "When we can talk to Chad at night on the telephone, we're all talking the same language. I know the big challenge is going to be the races following — once we figure out how many races Chad is suspended for. We definitely anticipate Fontana (next weekend's race in California) being that way." The team has adjusted to communicating with Knaus from four states away. Johnson, though, would prefer his 500 didn't play out this way. "We talk at night and work on a game plan for the next day and work on that test matrix, if you will," Johnson said, "and come back and have a conference call the next evening and talk about what worked and what didn't. It's definitely a different way of working on a race car. I've never been through it and certainly hope we're never in this position again." (Palm Beach Post)
Feb. 17, 2006:
More on Knaus and Hendrick rumors: Daytona’s most ridiculous rumor was that Knaus got himself kicked out of the Daytona 500 because he’s trying to get fired from his job at Hendrick Motorsports so he can go back to work for his old boss, Ray Evernham. Not only is the rumor untrue, it is patently absurd. Knaus worked for Evernham twice, once as one of Jeff Gordon’s original “Rainbow Warriors,” the second time very briefly after Evernham formed his own team. After that, the two split for good, perhaps because their personalities are so similar. Don’t expect them to work together again any time soon. (Speed Channel)
Feb. 14, 2006:
No appeal for Knaus? Chad Knaus, the crew chief for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet, has been ejected for the remainder of SpeedWeeks and will not be allowed to participate in any further Daytona 500 activities. Knaus cannot appeal the deci-sion, and Darian Grubb, the lead engineer for Johnson and Jeff Gordon's teams, will assume Knaus' duties at the track in preparation for Sunday's race. This is the seventh time Knaus has been fined and/or suspended by NASCAR for infractions on one of his cars. The first two came in 2001 when he was working on Stacy Compton's car. The other five have come with Johnson. He has been fined a total of $74,250, and this is the third suspension he will serve. Knaus also was suspended two races and fined $35,000 last March at Las Vegas when Johnson's race-winning car was found to be too low. He appealed the suspension, and NASCAR overturned it but put him on 90 days probation and kept the fine and the 25-point docking. In September at Dover, Johnson's car failed postrace inspection but later passed on a second attempt. NASCAR did not punish the team but did rewrite a rule about shock absorbers that Knaus had found a way to work around. (Richmond Times Dispatch)
Feb. 13, 2006:
Hendrick Motorsports response
Johnson's Crew Chief Knaus ejected from Daytona Speedweeks after failing inspection: NASCAR announced today that NASCAR Nextel Cup Series crew chief Chad Knaus has been ejected from any further participation in 2006 Daytona 500 activities as a result of a rules infraction discovered following pole qualifying runs Sunday. Knaus is the crew chief for the No. 48 Chevrolet driven by Jimmie Johnson. NASCAR said the 48 car failed post-qualifying template inspection in the rear window area. The qualifying time posted by the 48 was disallowed and Johnson will have to start at the rear of the field in the first of two 150-mile qualifying races Thursday. The qualifying time of the No. 96 Chevrolet driven by Terry Labonte was also disallowed. NASCAR officials said an unapproved carburetor was found on the 96 car. Labonte will also have to start from the rear of the field in Thursday’s qualifying races. Additional penalties for both cars will be determined following the Daytona 500. (NASCAR PR)
Feb. 13, 2006:
Knaus Suspension? #48 Crew chief Chad Knaus faces possible suspension for altering the height of the rear window in driver Jimmie Johnson's car before Sunday's qualifying for the Daytona 500. The biggest penalty could come as early as Monday against Knaus, according to a NASCAR source. According to the source, an instrument was placed inside the car that raised the rear window after it went through pre-qualifying inspection to provide an aerodynamic advantage. The height difference was discovered during a post-qualifying inspection and considered a flagrant attempt to gain a competitive advantage. (NASCAR.com)
Feb. 12, 2006:
Johnson announces Foundation: Jimmie and Chandra Johnson announced today the creation of the "Jimmie Johnson Foundation" to aid charities that work with children and families. Johnson said the mission of the foundation is to fund five existing charities: the American Red Cross, Victory Junction Gang, Randy Dorton Memorial Fund, Make-A-Wish, and the Hendrick Marrow program. The foundation's first activity is an eBay online charity auction that started at the beginning of the year. The auction includes racing and sports memorabilia, but will separate itself from most online auctions by offering fans the chance to bid on experiences with celebrities and professional athletes. Mike Rucker of the Carolina Panthers as well as Marcus Giles and Mike Hampton of the Atlanta Braves joined the Johnson's in Daytona for the foundation announcement. Fans can bid on the souvenir items and experiences at www.ebay.com/jimmiejohnsonfoundation. The auction includes tickets to sporting events, impressive experiences from Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon, Brian Vickers and Rick Hendrick. The experiences and items also include donations from Major League Baseball players Marcus Giles, Mike Hampton, Russ Ortiz and Cal Ripken, Jr; NFL players Mike Rucker, Howie Long, Brandon Short and Mark Rypien; NBA Chicago Bulls; bowler Parker Bohn, III; NHL player Mario Lemieux; Olympic gold medalists Dan Jansen and Mary Lou Retton; celebrities Nick Lachey, Tracy Lawrence, Freddy Holliday and Kendra Bentley Holliday from the Amazing Race 6 and professional poker player Annie Duke. In addition to the auction, 1,000 commemorative coins were produced. The coins have the foundation logo on one side and "Inaugural Fundraiser" with the official launch date "2-11-06" on the other. The coins may be purchased for a donation of $50 or more at www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org. All proceeds will benefit the foundation. (GMR Live PR)
Feb. 5, 2005:
Johnson on Las Vegas Monday: Jimmie Johnson will make a primetime guest appearance on the Monday night episode of NBC's Las Vegas (9-10pm/et). In the episode, entitled "Urban Legends," Johnson, appearing as himself, is invited to judge a Chevy Custom Car Show taking place at the Montecito Casino. Johnson and his #48 Chevy are also featured in portions of the episode shot at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he is first approached to judge the car show. "It's definitely not as easy as it looks," said Johnson. "Fortunately, I got to play myself so I think that made it a little easier for me. I'm not sure how I would have done if I had to play someone else and read lines as that character. It was fun, but I think I'll stick to driving my race car." (Team Lowe's Racing PR)
Jan. 18, 2006:
J. Johnson guest stars in Las Vegas at AMS: While his Hendrick Motorsports teammates were hitting the Daytona pavement testing their stock cars, Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus were hitting the big screen at Atlanta Motor Speedway today, filming an upcoming episode of the hit NBC TV series “Las Vegas.” Johnson, playing himself, starred with Nikki Cox, who gets driving tips from last years winner at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Knaus, Johnson’s crew chief, also plays himself in the episode which is tentatively set to air on February 6. While Johnson may seem like a natural on the track, he admits acting isn’t quite so easy for him. “You have a writer trying to write things that you would say and you have to make it sound like what you would say,” the driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet said. “Fortunately, I am playing myself, so I can turn to the writers and say ‘I would do it like this,’ and they are OK with that.” Johnson also admits that it could be even more difficult for him. “Remembering the lines and trying to look like you’re not thinking about the lines that you have to deliver is the most difficult part,” Johnson commented. “If I was playing someone else and there was a particular way I had to deliver lines and have a certain personality, I would be in big trouble.” Johnson will return to AMS for the Golden Corral 500 on March 19. For tickets to the March 17-19 race weekend, call (877) 9-AMS-TIX, (770) 946-4211, or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com for ticket information. (Atlanta Motor Speedway PR)
Oct. 26, 2005:
Jimmie Johnson joins XM Radio: NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson is getting behind the wheel of his own talk show on XM Satellite Radio. His weekly show debuts in February 2006 on XM's NASCAR Radio (channal 144). Johnson will discuss the latest happenings on the NASCAR circuit and talk about music and other personal interests. He will also play a key role in various XM promotions as part of a multi-year agreement with XM. “I'm extremely excited to be part of the XM family," Johnson said in a release. "For a few years I've been searching for the right outlet to give people an opportunity to get to know a side of me away from the racetrack. XM approached me with the idea of having a national weekly radio show and it was the perfect fit. I'm really looking forward to the partnership and getting started next season." (Billboard Radio)
Oct. 16, 2005:
Johnson wins at Lowe's 4th straight win: The alternator failed, the battery had to be switched mid-race and the entire electrical system was on the fritz. Add all that to a constant fear of having a tire explode at any second and even the most veteran driver would be rattled. Not Jimmie Johnson at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Johnson overcame every problem thrown his way — including tire troubles that turned Saturday night's event into a laughingstock — to win his fourth consecutive race at Lowe's and move into a tie with Tony Stewart in the Chase for the championship. "I don't have a clue what took place tonight," Johnson said. "We had problem after problem. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be." Johnson started 41st because his engine failed before qualifying. Then his alternator went mid-race. He cut a right rear tire. And then he had overtime. In the end, he proved that no one can beat him on the track his Lowe's-sponsored team considers its own private playground. Johnson has won five of the past six events at the suburban Charlotte facility. (ABC News - Results - Points)
Oct. 7, 2005:
VJGC charity ride: The Ride to Victory III charity motorcycle ride, featuring NASCAR celebrities, to benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp is set for Oct. 16 in Charlotte. Jimmie Johnson will serve as honorary grand marshal and ride in the event. The 130-mile ride will originate at 10:30 a.m. near Charlotte and conclude at the camp in Randleman, N.C., where there will be a fish fry and tour of the facility. All proceeds will benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Registration can be done online at www.kylepettycharityride.com. (VJGC PR)
Sep. 30, 2005:
More on Hendrick post race inspection, including new shock rule? Roush Racing president Geoff Smith said he expects NASCAR officials to issue a technical bulletin as early as Friday outlawing the trick shock absorbers used by Hendrick Motorsports teammates Johnson and Kyle Busch in their 1-2 finish Sunday at Dover International Speedway. Instead of soaking up bumps, as shocks normally are designed to do, Smith said the Hendrick cars' shocks were designed almost to work in reverse; every time they hit a bump, the shocks jacked up the car's rear end for about 15 seconds. Because cars encounter frequent bumps at Dover, the shocks apparently kept the Hendrick cars' tails elevated about an inch beyond what NASCAR rules allow for most of the race, directing more air to the cars' rear spoilers and creating extra aerodynamic "downforce" that helped the cars stick to the track. Cheating? Not exactly, Smith said. "It was clearly an ingenious engineering exercise, and they ought to be commended for their ingenuity," he said. Johnson's team declined comment through a spokesperson. This explains why the two Hendrick cars failed an initial technical inspection by NASCAR officials Sunday night but passed the maximum-height requirement after they "settled," as NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston explained this week. Officials confiscated the Hendrick cars' shocks after the race, along with shocks from four other cars. Smith expects NASCAR to prohibit all teams from using such shocks beginning with the Oct. 9 race at Kansas Speedway. The Hendrick shocks wouldn't help in this weekend's race because downforce isn't a major concern at Talladega and teams typically try to get their cars as low to the ground as possible without violating NASCAR's minimum height requirements. (In part from USA Today)
Sep. 29, 2005:
Johnson's car to low in Inspection but passes: NASCAR was apparently listening to the chatter between several drivers and their crews last Sunday at Dover, Del. After hearing several teams talk about the unusual setup of Jimmie Johnson's winning Chevrolet, the sanctioning body confiscated the rear shock absorbers from six teams following the MBNA RacePoints 400. Several teams talked on their radios about the height of Johnson's right-rear quarter panel. Radio announcers from MRN even talked about it during the race. NASCAR confirmed Johnson's car originally flunked post-race inspection for being too high, but it later passed once the shock "settled." The second-place car from Kyle Busch, Johnson's teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, also was too high. If the rear of the car is high, it pushes up the rear spoiler and helps it gain traction in the corners. NASCAR took the rear shocks from Johnson and Busch, as well as those from Ford drivers Mark Martin and Greg Biffle and Dodge drivers Ryan Newman and Rusty Wallace. (Florida Times Union)
Sep. 27, 2005:
#48's Knaus Wins WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Race Award: Jimmy Johnson’s victory at Dover International Speedway this weekend made both him and crew chief Chad Knaus winners. His win in the MBNA 400 moved him to the top point standings, giving him a seven point lead over second place Rusty Wallace, and brought Knaus the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. The most important call of the day came on the final round of pit stops. Knaus elected to change all four tires on the # 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, despite Mark Martin receiving only two tires on his pit stop. Johnson lost a spot on the track, but his fresh rubber paid dividends. He quickly took the lead on the restart and never looked back. “I wasn’t concerned that one person took two tires,” said Knaus. “I was concerned that everyone else was going to take two tires. Fortunately almost everyone took four. We had some good track position to where we had a lead with a couple of seconds gap that we could have taken two tires if we saw everyone else doing that. If we had to pit under green, we would have taken two tires, but under yellow I wanted to take four.” The panel of voters; including Jim Utter of the Charlotte Observer, a WYPALL® Wipers representative and Robbie Reiser; all cast their vote for Knaus as the crew chief that did the best job. “It seems like a lot of guys beat themselves today, but Chad (Knaus) had a solid plan and did everything right,” said Reiser. “While some crew chiefs were too aggressive with their setups, or too risky with their pit strategy, Chad kept to the fundamentals. He didn’t get off sequence in the pits. His driver was always up front with fresh tires and that’s what won him the race.” Doug Richert leads the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Year standings with five wins. Alan Gustafson is in second place with three wins. Bob Osborne, Jimmy Fennig, Greg Zipadelli, Robbie Reiser and Robbie Loomis are tied for third place with two wins. Tommy Baldwin, Scott Miller, Fatback McSwain, Steve Hmiel, Greg Erwin, Slugger Labbe, Chad Knaus and Pete Rondeau are in a tie for fourth place, each with one win. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000. (SMC 500 PR)
Sep. 25, 2005:
Johnson wins at Dover, takes point lead: Jimmie Johnson held off teammate Kyle Busch by about a car-length Sunday to claim victory at Dover International Speedway -- and the lead in NASCAR's Chase for the championship. Tony Stewart, the Nextel Cup points leader for the last seven races, battled an ill-handling car en route to a 18th-place finish that dropped him to fifth in the championship standings. There would be no perfect weekend for Ryan Newman, who won poles for both races here this weekend and was coming off a victory in a Busch Series race Saturday. Newman won the opening event in the Chase a week earlier, outdueling Stewart in a stirring finish at New Hampshire International Speedway. The victory in the MBNA 400 was the third this year for Johnson, who now leads Rusty Wallace by seven points after two of 10 races in the Chase among the top-10 drivers. Johnson also won for the third time at Dover and 17th overall. (CBS News - Results - Points)
Aug 22, 2005
Gordon and Johnson featured on EA Sports NASCAR: Electronic Arts announced today that its EA SPORTS™ branded NASCAR® videogame, NASCAR 06: Total Team Control, will feature NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. The two avid “gamers” personify the focus of this year’s game - Team Racing. “It’s amazing how EA continues to innovate and make the game more fun for gamers and the drivers year after year,” said Gordon, driver of the number 24 DuPont Chevrolet. Jimmie Johnson, driver of the number 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, expanded, “The addition of the team racing really changes the game in an amazing way. It’s not just about you, the driver. Now, you are challenged to manage a whole team, using your on-track relationships with other drivers and especially your teammates to bring home the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Championship and build a racing dynasty.” ...NASCAR 06: Total Team Control for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Xbox® video game system from Microsoft will be on store shelves September 1st and is rated “E” for (Everyone) by the ESRB - Electronic Arts, Inc. PR More Information at www.easports.com(EA Sports PR)
Aug 13, 2005
Johnson a Go: Jimmie Johnson, who crashed hard last week at Indianapolis during the closing laps of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, was evaluated with a CT scan Thursday and ran 12 laps in practice at Watkins Glen International. Johnson said "they went through some different scenarios to make sure my brain is firing on all eight cylinders." .(Times-Dispatch)
Aug 11, 2005
Jimmie Johnson and Levi Strauss Ads: Nextel Cup driver Jimmie Johnson will be seen in more places than atop of the leader board starting this month. The Levi Strauss Signature brand continues its national advertising campaign featuring the series' top driver. The Johnson executions are part of the brands national "From Our Family to Yours" campaign and showcase Johnson and his extended family, crew chief Chad Knaus and NASCAR journalist Marty Smith, during their off time. The executions speak to male consumers and depict the men spending time in the race shop in a candid and relaxed setting, much like NASCAR families do every day. The ads are scheduled to begin appearing in men's general interest magazines and sports-related publications from August through October. Some publications include: Popular Science, Field & Stream, Family Handyman, The Sporting News, NASCAR Scene and NASCAR Illustrated, among others. "Since becoming partners with NASCAR and Jimmie Johnson, we have seen remarkable success and growth in awareness of the Levi Strauss Signature brand among NASCAR fans," said Scott LaPorta, president, Levi Strauss Signature brand. "This campaign shows Jimmie's personality away from the track and speaks to NASCAR fans in candid settings, reminding them of the moments they spend with their friends and family." Since 2004, the Levi Strauss Signature brand has been an official partner of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) and the exclusive apparel sponsor of Johnson. (Levi Strauss PR)
Aug 8, 2005
Johnson OK and released from hospital: As great a day as it was for Stewart, it was a disastrous race for Johnson, who started 42nd after his car failed inspection on Saturday. He was able to drive into the top 20 early in the race but spun out and wound up being sent to the rear of the lead lap cars after making two pit stops for repairs when NASCAR had pit road closed. Johnson was dazed after slamming hard into the wall late in the race. Calling it the "hardest hit I've taken," he had to be helped out of his car in the pits when the engine caught fire. Asked if he realized the car was on fire, Johnson said, "No, I don't really remember coming from turn four to the pits. I just remember kind of waking up on pit road and the guys pulling me out of the car. So, it's all good." Johnson, who fell to second place in the standings, 75 points behind Stewart, was examined at Methodist Hospital and released. (USA Today)
July 26, 2005
Johnson thinks NASCAR will be in Canada soon: Nextel Cup points leader Jimmie Johnson can see the day -- real soon he thinks -- when NASCAR's top series will have a race in Canada. But in the same breath, Johnson told The Toronto Sun that it won't come by NASCAR expanding its schedule beyond the existing 38 race weekends. In Toronto to promote his Levi jeans sponsorship on the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Johnson said that there is no masking the fact the NASCAR has designs on Canada and not just for the Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Busch Series. "Everyone from NASCAR executives, to team owners, to drivers has been talking about coming to Canada ever since the Busch race in Mexico was such a success," Johnson said. "There is just not room for any added races," Johnson said. "Right now we get just three weekends off a season." His suggestion -- and one that has been made before -- is for NASCAR to quit doubling up of races at most of its tracks. "I feel we can grow the sport by having just one race in every market," Johnson said. In its 2005 schedule, for example, Nextel Cup races at 14 of its venues twice. "If we only raced once at a lot of these tracks it would leave lots of opportunities to have a race in Canada, as well as other markets that we're not in now like New York City and the Pacific Northwest." (Toronto Sun)
July 22, 2005
Points leader Johnson Wrecks: NASCAR Nextel Cup point leader crashed his primary car during initial practice at Pocono Raceway on Friday. Johnson's No. 48 Hendrick Chevy suffered heavy rear end damage. The team will have to resort to a back-up car. "I got loose in turn one," said Johnson. "I spun out and tore up the race car. If there's a time to have it happen, now is the time. There's a long break before the second practice. We'll take it from there. Just trying hard and got loose. One of those deals." It's a bad start to the weekend for Johnson whose point lead has shrunk in the last several weeks. He now leads second place Greg Biffle by just 77 points. (Motorsports.com) Complete Race Weekend Coverage Times, Entry List, News and more.
July 6, 2005
Johnson fast in NHIS testing: For NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Jimmie Johnson, winning at New Hampshire International Speedway is all about preparation. That's why the former two-time NHIS winner was at the 1.058-mile speedway turning laps yesterday during NASCAR's two-day test session for the New England 300 on July 17.``It's just finding the latest trick,'' said Johnson, the current leader in the series standings. ``This track is so different than any other place we run at, and (Kurt Busch) is probably the strongest because he won both of last year's races here.'' Getting the most out of a test session at NHIS is important, since the Nextel Cup race here in September is the first event of the 10-race ``Chase for the Nextel Cup'' championship playoff. ``Testing here is really a no-brainer for us,'' said Johnson, who won both series races at Loudon in 2003. ``What we can learn here we'll carry with us for the (first) of the final 10 races of the season.'' (Boston Herald)
June 18, 2005
Johnson defends driving: If you haven't noticed, Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR's boy next door, is driving harder and driving his car wider this year. His tactics have drawn criticism. Some competitors have accused the usually mild-mannered Johnson of spinning other drivers out. Johnson, who leads the NASCAR Nextel Cup series, has always been considered one of the garage's nice guys. But nice guys don't always finish first, and Johnson has been runner-up for the series title the past two seasons. Johnson denies that he's a dirty racer, but thinks drivers have gotten far more aggressive on the track this year. "Yeah, its hard to argue with the numbers," said Johnson, 29. "The competition is closer than it has ever been with the new rules. On top of that, the shorter spoiler makes the cars harder to drive." (ThatsRacin)
June 15, 2005
Knuas to join Johnson in driving school: Crew chief Chad Knaus says that he plans to attend a road-racing driving school with points leader Jimmie Johnson before next weekend's race at Infineon Raceway to help improve communication between the two for a road race. They've done it before. "So, when we go to (Infineon) and Watkins Glen we can perform a little bit better,'' Knaus said. (Roanoke)
May 29 2005
Johnson Wins the Caution Plagued Coca-Cola 600: Jimmie Johnson slid past Bobby Labonte in the final turn to win the Coca-Cola 600 for the third consecutive year Sunday night. This one was nowhere near as easy as his previous wins. Unlike his past two dominating victories, Johnson had to come from fourth place to chase down Labonte after a restart with five laps to go. Labonte did his best to hold off Johnson, who needed just three laps around Lowe's Motor Speedway to pull onto the leader's bumper. Johnson got there on the final lap and edged past coming out of the final turn to grab his second victory of the season. He became the first driver to win three-straight Coca-Cola 600s. "Three 600s, that's just amazing," said Johnson, the Nextel Cup Series points leader. "It will sink in as the days wear on. Today, regardless of the record book, regardless of what was going on, we just wanted to have a solid race. (ABC News - Results - Points)
May 5, 2005
Johnson and Lowe's Joins "America Supports You": #48 Lowe's Chevrolet driver Jimmie Johnson will join Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and country music stars Thursday afternoon at the Pentagon for the first "America Supports You" Salute to Our Military Men and Women concert. Johnson will be at Darlington Raceway preparing for Saturday night's NASCAR Nextel Cup race, but will join the Pentagon concert via satellite. Johnson, Rumsfeld, and Lowe's executives will unveil the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet carrying the "America Supports You" decal on the rear deck lid (trunk). This car plus the #5 Lowe's Busch Series car will race with the decal at Darlington, Richmond and Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte during the month of May. (GMR Live PR)
May 4, 2005
Junior Blames Johnson and calls him "idiot": Dale Earnhardt Jr. called Jimmie Johnson an "idiot," and blamed the Nextel Cup series points leader for causing a 25-car accident at Talladega Superspeedway. "If there was one idiot out there it was him," Earnhardt said during a break Tuesday in a test session at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "To be honest about it, I think Jimmie Johnson caused about all the wrecks out there." Earlier Tuesday, Greg Biffle blamed Johnson for the six-car accident that knocked Biffle and Earnhardt out of contention in the closing laps. Johnson deflected criticism for both accidents, saying the first was a series of events that culminated in the big wreck and the second was "hard racing." (SunSentinel)
April 25, 2005
Johnson Wins SPEED Channel 1st quarter DOTY: Jimmie Johnson, who leads the NASCAR Nextel Cup Standings, continued to impress the voters, winning the Speed Channel DRIVER OF THE YEAR first quarter, 2005. “It’s an honor to be a part of it. I came so close to winning the whole thing last year” said Johnson “…(winning) a few quarters. It’s definitely an honor and something I’m proud of.” Johnson, who drives the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, took the series points lead after the Golden Coral 500 in Atlanta on March 20th. In the seven races in the first quarter his worst finish was an eighth place. (Speedtv)
April 22, 2005
Hendrick Motorsports and Pizza Hut Agreement
March 23, 2005
Knaus and Gustafson penalty reduced
March 14, 2005
Johnson and Busch #5 penalties: As been reported throughout the night on ESPN Radio's "All Night With Todd Wright" that #48-Jimmie Johnson, the winner at Las Vegas, was found in post race inspection to be too low and the 2nd place finisher #5-Kyle Busch's Chevy quarter panels were too high. NASCAR decisions will come later this week. Johnson is expected to keep his win at Sunday's UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400.
March 13, 2005
Jimmie Johnson wins the UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 (Results - Unofficial Points) Lap 12 Incident between Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Brian Vickers and Bobby Labonte ended both of their days early. Find there post race quotes of the incidents (Post Race Lap 12 Incident)
Feb. 14, 2005
NASCAR Media Picks Jimmie Johnson: If media voters prove accurate prognosticators, look for the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championship battle to mimic recent history. The defending NASCAR Nextel Cup series champion, Kurt Busch (No. 97 IRWIN Industrial Tools/Sharpie Ford), won the 2004 title by eight points over Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet) -- the closest finish in NASCAR Nextel Cup history. And while both drivers remain title candidates, Johnson has been selected as the media favorite in the 2005 NASCAR Preseason Top 10. A total of 213 votes were cast in the balloting, which began Feb. 3 at www.nascarmedia.com and ended Feb. 13. Drivers received 10 points for first place, nine points for second place, eight points for third place, seven points for fourth place, six points for fifth place, five points for sixth place, four points for seventh place, three points for eighth place, two points for ninth place and one point for 10th place. Eight drivers in the 2005 NASCAR Preseason Top 10 competed in the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. (NASCAR)
Feb. 13, 2005
Qualifying Complete, Jarrett and Johnson Front Row: Dale Jarrett and Jimmie Johnson will share the front row for the start of next Sunday's Daytona 500, the NASCAR Nextel Cup's season-opener. Jeff Gordon, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate, was fastest in Saturday practice at Daytona International Speedway and was the heavy favorite in the garage area to take the pole. It looked like a good prediction when the two-time 500 winner took the top spot early in Sunday's qualifying with a lap of 188.155 mph. (NASCAR) Earnhardt, Jr. had the 39th fastest speed in time trials.
Jimmie Johnson Wins Shootout in Daytona Checkout Unofficial Results
Feb. 10, 2005
Johnson to run #48 in Busch: CONCORD, N.C. -- Lowe's and Hendrick Motorsports announced that Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, will run select races in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2005.
Johnson will bring his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to the series with additional sponsorship from Kobalt, a line of tools and accessories available exclusively at Lowe's.
"Kobalt Tools has been associated with the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series since 2002," said Bob Gfeller, Lowe's senior vice president. "We consider Jimmie Johnson and Team 48 the cornerstone of our racing program. With Lowe's expanding its line of Kobalt® tools, it seems a natural progression to expand that relationship at the track as well."
Johnson is scheduled to run six races in the No. 48 Lowe's/Kobalt Chevrolet with unique paint schemes that represent the breadth and depth of the enhanced Kobalt line. Chad Knaus, Johnson's crew chief in the Nextel Cup Series, will also lead the team in the Busch Series events.
"Hendrick Motorsports is very proud of this opportunity to further represent Kobalt® and the employee-owners of Lowe's in the NASCAR Busch Series," said Marshall Carlson, Hendrick Motorsports' general manager. "Jimmie Johnson fans throughout the country are going to have six very exciting Saturdays this season."
Johnson is scheduled to begin his limited Busch Series run at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 19, followed by runs at Chicagoland Speedway on July 9, California Speedway on September 3, Texas Motor Speedway on November 5, as well as both events at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
"This is a great opportunity on many levels for Chad and me," said Johnson. "We had a good time when we ran the Busch race last October at Lowe's Motor Speedway. I think our fans will like it as well. It's fun to mix it up a little bit, and I'll enjoy seeing the tweaks to our paint scheme each time." (Team PR)
January 24, 2005:
Johnson Named Driver of the Year: Jimmie Johnson was named the winner of the Richard Petty Driver of the Year Award on Sunday as the National Motorsports Press Association held its annual convention in Charlotte. Johnson, who won eight races and finished second in the Nextel Cup standings in 2004, was unable to attend the luncheon where his selection in voting among NMPA members was announced. The group's convention at the Hilton University Place was held on the eve of this year's NASCAR Nextel Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte. (ThatsRacin)
December 17, 2004:
Sorry Ladies, Johnson Gets Married: Jimmie Johnson is now a married man. The wedding of the Nextel Cup driver and model Chandra Lynn Janway took place last weekend on the island of St. Barthelemy in the French West Indies. (Dallas Morning News)
December 3, 2004:
Mears Replaces Gordon in France: Mears will join fellow Nextel Cup star Jimmie Johnson in representing the United States in the all-star race, an event matching drivers from around the world. Gordon, a four-time Cup champion, was scheduled to race in Paris, but had to withdraw after coming down with a severe case of the flu. Gordon became dehydrated and spent Wednesday night receiving intravenous fluids. He was released from the hospital Thursday but was still ailing, spokesman Jon Edwards said. Robbie Loomis, the crew chief on Gordon's No. 24 Cup car, flew to New York to fill in for the driver at a breakfast Friday morning, but Gordon still hoped to be well enough attend to the NASCAR awards ceremony Friday night. (FoxSports)
November 30, 2004:
Johnson picked Driver of the Year, by fellow racers: It came down to the final race. First and third place were separated by 21 points heading into that race; it was anyone's championship to win. Although Kurt Busch held on to first place, Jimmie Johnson — who finished second to Greg Biffle in the race and shaved 10 points off Busch's lead, falling eight short — was chosen in a vote by his fellow competitors as the fourth annual Sporting News Driver of the Year. "That's cool," says Johnson, who finished second in points for the second year in a row. "That means a lot, especially since it's decided on by everybody in the garage area. You work week in and week out, and you don't know if the accomplishments you achieve are being noticed, whether your effort is respected or what others' opinions are of you. That really means the world to me. That's just incredible. I had no idea they thought that much of me." (The Sporting News)
November 19, 2004:
Johnson and team disappear: The car cover was wrapped tightly around the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, its driver and crew long gone for the day. All around the garage, teams worked feverishly on their cars, but Jimmie Johnson was nowhere to be found. The absence of the Hendrick Motorsports team after qualifying Friday raised eyebrows everywhere at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Did they go home in disgust after qualifying 39th for Sunday's season finale -- Johnson's worst starting position of the year? Or were they playing mind games with the competition? No one was really sure. All that was certain was that it was unusual for Johnson to qualify so poorly. His effort was the worst of his career, surpassing two 37th-place starting spots last season. But even stranger was that noted perfectionist Chad Knaus, the crew chief, wasn't tearing the car apart trying to figure out what went wrong. "I heard him on the radio -- it didn't sound like he was disappointed in the lap," Jeff Gordon, Johnson's teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, said. "It sounded like the speed wasn't there." Johnson heads into Sunday's season finale trailing series leader Kurt Busch by 18 points in the race for the Nextel Cup. Gordon is third in the standings, three points behind Johnson. Robbie Loomis, Gordon's crew chief and Knaus' partner in strategy, said it was way too early to count Johnson out. "They probably are as strong as anybody in this garage when they have their backs stacked up against the wall," Loomis said.(AP/CBS Sportsline)
