Catchfence

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (May 23, 2012) – Charlotte Motor Speedway was- at one point- jokingly referred to as “Jimmie’s house.” While Jimmie Johnson never used the moniker himself, others found justification for the reference. During a stretch in his NASCAR Sprint Cup career there was no denying that Johnson certainly owned the 1.5-mile oval. Beginning with a win at the 2003 All-Star Race, Johnson won six of nine consecutive races. (He didn’t win the Oct. 2003 race and 2004 and 2005 All-Star Races.)

It appears another streak could be starting as Johnson and his No. 48 Lowe’s team has rattled off some impressive wins over the past two weeks. Starting with the historic 200^th win for Hendrick Motorsport at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 12, the team has been on a tear, winning the Sprint Pit Crew Challenge the following Thursday and culminating with a record tying third win (Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jeff Gordon) in the Sprint All-Star Race this past Saturday. Johnson’s win in the first segment and his dominance of the final 10-lap segment, may be a sign for what could be another strong showing at this weekend’s 600-mile race, the sport’s longest of the season.

This is welcome news to the 48 team who had their worst career showing at the track in 2011. Both races Johnson ended the night early due to an accident in May and an engine issue in Oct. But it would seem that these cracks in the foundation may be patched up and if the past few weeks are any indication, Johnson may once again be in residence at Charlotte this Memorial Day weekend.

Johnson’s 600-mile Sprint Cup Race Notes of Interest:

• · Six wins in 21 starts (May 2003, 2004 and 2005 season sweep, October 2009).
• · Three poles (May 2002 and 2004, October 2009).
• · 10 top-five finishes (47.6 percent) and 14 top-10s (66.7 percent).
• · Average finish of 11.9.
• · Sprint Cup’s best average running position (8.4).
• · Four DNFs (Did Not Finish), October 2001, May 2008, May and October 2011.
• · 7,132 of 7,384 laps completed (96.6 percent) and 1,386 laps led.
• · Sprint Cup’s best driver rating (111.0 average out of a possible 150 points).
• · Sprint Cup’s best with 451 fastest laps run.
• · Sprint Cup’s best with average green-flag speed of 176.429 mph.
• · Sprint Cup’s best with 4,201 laps in the top-15 (84.5 percent).
• · Sprint Cup’s best with 714 quality passes
• · Johnson remains fifth in the driver standings after his win in the non-points paying Sprint All-Star Race Saturday night. He gained three spots in the driver standings after his historic win on Saturday, May 12 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. He is fifth, 39 points out of first, after starting the season at a career-tying low of 37^th at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

News and Notes – 600-miler at Charlotte:

Paint Scheme:

• Johnson will pilot the No. 48 Lowe’s Patriotic Chevrolet at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The special paint scheme was unveiled on March 31 at the Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration at the track. Thousands of military veterans, their families and Lowe’s employees signed the car cover that will be sent to a unit in Afghanistan.

Fans Can See Johnson at the Racetrack:

• · Johnson will participate in his second annual question-and-answer session at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in June. Although it’s open to everyone, this year’s event is all about family and offers activities for kids before Johnson’s arrival. Each fan who participates in the “JJ 48 Family Package” receives a special No. 48 Lowe’s Build & Grow Car and a commemorative piece of the track’s former racing surface. For more information, visit www.poconoraceway.com/jj48.html.

• · In a special “Jimmie Johnson’s Father’s Day Giveaway” at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, fans receive an adult race-day ticket, a child’s race-day ticket and a free scanner rental. In addition, Johnson will participate in a kid-focused, question-and-answer session. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/JoGDpg

• · For fans heading west to the race in Sonoma, the track is offering the “Jimmie Johnson 4-Pack”. For $48.48 a person, fans receive four reserved tickets in the Turn 3 Terrace, four hot dogs, four sodas and a special question-and-answer session with Johnson (Total price: $193.92) http://www.infineonraceway.com/tickets/toyota_save_mart_350/#tabpackages.

JIMMIE JOHNSON, Driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Patriotic Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports:

www.twitter.com/jimmiejohnson, www.twitter.com/lowesracing and www.twitter.com/teamhendrick

You normally run a patriotic paint scheme. What is the background of that, and what does it mean to you?

“I really have to give Lowe’s the credit for it. Of course I would want to, but it’s really their paint job that goes on the car. They have the final say. They have done some amazing paint jobs over the years, really saying ‘Thanks.’ I am just fortunate to have a cool sponsor that wants to say thank you to all the men and women who have served.”

What does it mean to win a race like the 600? What does it take in terms of endurance?

“It is a very long race on a tough track. It’s not only from the driver’s perspective, but the teams go through a lot to get prepared for that race. Staying alert and focused, properly hydrated all the things that the driver has to go through so do the guys that go over the wall. They change a lot of tires during that race. It’s a very tough event on everyone but I think everybody enjoys it. I know my guys do. I know I do. I love that challenge. I love it especially when you are going to victory lane. I hope to do that again.”