Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Jimmie Johnson goes for eighth Charlotte win and fifth Coca-Cola 600 win

Jimmie Johnson is 6/1 to win Coca-Cola 600
No. 48 Lowe's Patriotic Chevrolet SS / Jimmie Johnson

Driver: Jimmie Johnson 
Hometown: El Cajon, California
Age: 39 
Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina

Jimmie Johnson on a patriotic paint scheme for the 600

"When we line up for the national anthem at the 600, and I’m wearing this red, white and blue firesuit and have a patriotic-themed Lowe’s Chevy – you can’t help but be thankful for all the men and women who fight for our country. We didn’t have a great All-Star Race but learned some things for the 600. It’s a long night -- strategy and pit stops will be really important.”

Jimmie Johnson will be available to members of the media in the media center at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday, May 21, at 1:30 p.m. local time.

IN REMEMBRANCE: Instead of Jimmie Johnson’s name on the windshield for the 600-mile Memorial Day weekend event, his name has been replacedwith “LT. HENDERSON.” First Lieutenant Robert L. Henderson II served in the National Guard for more than 15 years. He was a sales manager for Lowe’s store No. 451 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and had also worked at three other Kentucky area stores in his 10-year tenure with the company. While deployed in Iraq in 2004, he was leading part of a convoy when his vehicle was ambushed. Despite being wounded, Henderson turned his vehicle around and drove to a position to return fire and stop the rest of the convoy from heading into the ambush. Though he lost his life, his actions likely saved many others. Henderson was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart as well as a Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal.

PATRIOTIC SCHEME: For the second time this season, Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet SS will be patriotic-themed. Longtime sponsor Lowe’s has a long history of supporting the military. Currently, Lowe's has more than 14,000 veterans, active military and Guard/Reserve employees. To see the paint scheme and its unveil, click here.

ELLEN SHOW APPERANCE: Johnson will appear on the The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Tuesday, June 2. See local listings for air times.

SEVEN TIMES A WINNER: Johnson has a total of seven Sprint Cup wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway with four coming in the 600-mile event. His victory last May in the 600 broke a tie with NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip, making Johnson the all-time series points-paying win leader at Charlotte.

WINNING FROM THE POLE AT CHARLOTTE: Twice in his career, Johnson has won the 600-mile event from the pole position at Charlotte. The first was in 2004, when Johnson started first and led 334 out of 400 laps en route to victory. The second time was in May 2014, when Johnson won the pole and led 164 laps on his way to the win.

600 CHASSIS: For this weekend’s event, crew chief Chad Knaus has selected chassis No. 48-936, which is a brand new Chevrolet SS. The backup car is 48-824, which last raced at Pocono Raceway in June 2014.

TICKET PACKAGE AT DOVER: Johnson fans can receive special access to an exclusive question-and-answer session with the nine-time Dover International Speedway winner on Sunday, May 31. Learn more atwww.Doverspeedway.com.

TICKET PACKAGE AT POCONO: Pocono Raceway is offering a kid-generated question-and-answer session with three-time Pocono winner Johnson. In addition to the Q&A, this year’s Jimmie Johnson Experience will include hands-on activities for kids to showcase the relationship between NASA and auto racing. Every child in attendance will receive a 12-page, four-color booklet centered around NASA’s Rockets 2 Racecars STEM Education. For more information, click here.

 
2015 Season
  • 3rd in standings
  • 11 starts
  • 3 wins
  • 0 pole positions
  • 7 top-five finishes
  • 8 top-10 finishes
  • 364 laps led
 
 
Career
  • 482 starts
  • 73 wins
  • 33 pole positions
  • 200 top-five finishes
  • 300 top-10 finishes
  • 17,515 laps led
 
 
Charlotte Career 
  • 27 starts
  • 7 wins
  • 4 pole position
  • 13 top-five finishes
  • 17 top-10 finishes
  • 1,733 laps led
 
 - Hendrick Motorsports

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