NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson has "signed a three-year contract extension that will keep the seven-time champion" at Hendrick Motorsports through '20, while Lowe's has "signed an extension" to stay on Johnson's No. 48 Chevy through '18, according to Dustin Long of NBCSPORTS.com. Both contracts were "set to expire" after this season. Lowe's has "served as Johnson's sponsor at Hendrick since he drove three Cup races" in '01. Johnson began running full-time in '02 (NBCSPORTS.com, 6/16). SPORTING NEWS' Arthur Weinstein notes the Hendrick Motorsports/Johnson/Lowe's relationship is "one of the most successful and iconic partnerships in NASCAR history." Johnson won his record-tying seventh NASCAR Cup championship last season, and is a "threat to win again this year, with three wins already this season." With 83 career Cup wins, Johnson is tied with Cale Yarborough "for sixth on the sport's all-time victory list" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 6/16). Meanwhile, Johnson on Friday said that his three-year contract extension "might not be his last one." The 41-year-old said that he could "see himself racing beyond" '20 (ESPN.com, 6/16).
