Racing News Digest

None of this should be any real big surprise. But Jimmie Johnson has signed an extension with Hendrick Motor Sports to drive for Rick Hendrick through 2015.

Hendrick apparently tried to get Johnson a lifetime contract.

“I couldn’t borrow enough money to make it work.”

“This has been a fantastic ride with Jimmie,” Hendrick said. “We’d like to retire together.”

“Jimmie is charting new territory in our sport, and that’s due to a combination of natural talent and unsurpassed work ethic,” team owner Rick Hendrick said. “How he’s committed himself is just incredible, and it shows in everything that he does — not just on the racetrack.

“There’s no question that he’s one of the great champions in all of sports, and he’s not done yet.”

As we all know Jimmie Johnson is on the verge of a record breaking 4th consecutive Sprint Cup Championship Title. I don’t think anyone expected to see him leave Hendrick Motor Sports.

But, that means he is going to definitely be around for some more championships in the years to come.

Lowe’s home improvement dropped it’s sponsorship or Lowe’s Motor Speedway this year (after this year) but also has signed a deal to continue sponsoring Jimmie Johnson through 2013.

“Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports are a key part of our marketing efforts and outreach,” Lowe’s chairman Robert Niblock said. “We believe this is the best combination in racing, and we’re proud to have Jimmie carry the Lowe’s name in NASCAR.

Crew Chief Chad Knaus usually extends his contracts along side of Jimmie’s. There is no word yet about Chad’s contract which runs out in 2010 except that Rick Hendrick is trying to get Chad onto a lifetime contract as well.

Possibility a little bit more surprising one is that Jeff Gordon plans on sticking around through 2013 and maybe 2014. I am not real surprised but others may be. Gordon’s has had back issues including surgery this year but he has also stated numerous times that he would like to spend more time with this family as well.

“He’s committed to at least 2013, maybe 2014,” Hendrick said. “I’m hoping he’s going to drive a bunch of more years. We know it’s going to be at least three or four.”

DuPont’s contract expires in 2010 and Rick Hendrick says he is currently working on a new deal with DuPont and they will stay on Gordon’s car for a majority or Gordon’s races until the end of his career.