Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will remain behind the wheel of the Lowe's-backed, Chevrolet-powered No. 48 of Hendrick Motorsports through the 2017 season after signing two-year contract extensions with both the team and Lowe's.
"Lowe's has a longstanding history with NASCAR and knows its fans are some of the most loyal in all of sports," said chief marketing officer of Lowe's Tom Lamb. "Our partnership with Jimmie and Hendrick Motorsports has been an amazing ride as we chase history, and more than 265,000 Lowe's employees are proud to be part of such a legacy."
Johnson debuted for Hendrick in 2001 before joining the team full-time and partnering with long-time crew chief Chad Knaus, who recently signed a three-year extension that will keep him with Hendrick through the 2018 season. The partnership has led to six championships, 74 wins, and 33 poles.
"My relationship with Lowe's and Hendrick Motorsports means so much," Johnson said in a team release. "To me, this just reinforces how committed Lowe's is to our sport and to our partnership. It says a lot to have one sponsor and one team for this amount of time. I couldn't be prouder to represent everyone at Lowe's and Hendrick Motorsports. This is my home, and I'm looking forward to many more victories together as a team."
Johnson also announced the deal on Twitter, saying, "I'm employed for two more years!"
Stevie Larson is a writer for the VAVEL USA NASCAR section. Follow him on Twitter at @littletwinsfan.