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Jimmie Johnson signs extension with Hendrick Motorsports through 2020

By The Sports Xchange
NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship driver Jimmie Johnson (48) is seen celebrating after winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 race and the Sprint Cup Series at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida on November 20, 2016. File photo By Gary I Rothstein/UPI
NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship driver Jimmie Johnson (48) is seen celebrating after winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 race and the Sprint Cup Series at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida on November 20, 2016. File photo By Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo

Seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson signed a three-year contract extension to remain at Hendrick Motorsports through 2020, the organization announced Friday.

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.

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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."

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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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