Johnson, Knaus get new five-year deals

Elwood · May 26, 2003

By JENNA FRYER, AP Sports Writer

May 26, 2003

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus received five-year contract extensions from Hendrick Motorsports on Monday, a day after completing an impressive two-race sweep at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Lowe's, primary sponsor of the No. 48 Chevrolet, also agreed to stay with the team another five years. Johnson

Johnson, in his second season on the Winston Cup Series, won The Winston last week and followed it with a victory in the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night. Both races were at Lowe's Motor Speedway, considered the home track for Johnson and his team because of the sponsorship situation.

``Jimmie's on-track performance over the past year has helped Lowe's become one of the most recognizable sponsors in NASCAR,'' said Dale Pond, Lowe's senior executive vice president.

Johnson won the May 17 Winston all-star race and its $1 million payoff and Sunday night was leading the Coca-Cola 600 when the race was halted by rain after 276 of 400 scheduled laps.

Under Knaus' direction, Johnson won three times during his rookie season, including a sweep at Dover International Speedway.

He was the first rookie in Winston Cup history to lead the point standings and finished fifth in points for the season. Johnson is currently fifth in this year's standings.

``The confidence and support of a great sponsor is an important part of our success on the track,'' Johnson said. ``Chad, the entire No. 48 team, and I are proud to represent Lowe's.''

In addition to sponsoring the No. 48, the company also has naming rights to Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.