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The 41-year-old Johnson, driving the No. 48 Chevrolet, won
his seventh title in 2016 to tie the NASCAR record for
championships held by Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale
Earnhardt.
Johnson is tied for sixth in all-time victories with 83,
including three Monster Energy NASCAR Cup wins in the first 14
races of the 2017 season.
In addition, Hendrick Motorsports announced that Lowe's
Companies, Inc., agreed to extend the primary sponsorship of the
team full-time through 2018.
"Jimmie is one of the best to ever drive," Hendrick Motorsports
owner Rick Hendrick said in a statement. "We're so fortunate to
have him as part of our organization, and I feel even luckier to
call him a friend. He's a great champion, a terrific advocate
for Lowe's and a true ambassador for NASCAR. There's no better
person, and he's as good in the race car today as he's ever
been. It's such an incredible success story."
Johnson made his Cup debut in October 2001 with Hendrick
Motorsports, making all 557 career starts with the same team and
crew chief Chad Knaus. Johnson has 221 top-5 finishes and 335
top-10s. Knaus is signed through 2018.
"My relationship with Lowe's, Hendrick Motorsports and all of my
teammates means so much to me," Johnson said. "I remember hoping
to just win one race. Winning seven championships and 83 races
was inconceivable, and now we have the opportunity to do even
more together. It says a lot to have one sponsor, one crew chief
and one team for so long. I couldn't be more proud to represent
everyone at Lowe's and Hendrick Motorsports, and I continue to
be as grateful for the opportunity as I was when we started."
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