Jimmie Johnson re-signs with Hendrick Motorsports through 2020
By Nick Tylwalk
Jimmie Johnson could be more than “seven-time” by the time his next contract expires.
There’s not really such a thing as forever when it comes to drivers and teams in NASCAR. Mark Martin didn’t retire with Roush. Dale Jr. moved on from DEI. But Hendrick Motorsports isn’t about to let Jimmie Johnson go anywhere.
As reported by ESPN, Johnson has signed an extension with Hendrick that will keep him with the team he’s raced with for his entire NASCAR Cup Series career through the 2020 season. That would mark a nice even 20 seasons for the seven-time Cup Series champion if you count his cameo toward the end of the 2001 campaign.
Still, that doesn’t mean Johnson is necessarily hanging up his firesuit even when the new deal expires.
"“When the fire does go out, I’ll step down,” Johnson said Friday before practice at Michigan International Speedway. “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 in doing my job. We’ll see how these three years go.”"
The 41-year-old Johnson is known for his fitness regimen and seems like he could easily race into the latter half of his 40s if he so desired. He also probably won’t lack for sponsorship even in a trying period for NASCAR overall. Lowe’s is with him on the No. 48 at least through next season, and it would be no shock if the home improvement company decided to keep riding with the team after that.
The other question would be the status of crew chief Chad Knaus, universally regarded as one of the best in the garage. He could leave after the 2018 season, but Johnson mentioned to ESPN that he’d also work on keeping him in the fold.
"“I’ve got another year to try to convince him,” Johnson said. “He has another year on his contract. I’m sure discussions will take place about an extension for him.“He at least has another year. I started this with him … and I want to finish with him. I’ll keep leaning on him.”"
Maybe another championship would help convince all involved to stick it out. Johnson leads all Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers with three wins in 2017 and is on the short list of real championship contenders right now — of course.
An eighth title would break the three-way tie he’s currently in with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for most Cup Series championships. But maybe the 48 team can go even higher: 10 titles would be a mark that would likely never be broken.
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Johnson seems like the type who really will walk away as soon as he feels he’s slipped a notch, but that clearly hasn’t happened yet. Hendrick Motorsports is betting we won’t see it occur until at least 2021, and it’s hard to argue that view.