Track dust
Rick Hendrick announced that Jimmie Johnson's contract has been
extended through the 2015 season and the contract with Lowe's Companies, Inc. has
been continued through 2013. "I am excited to make this announcement and the key to
our success is keeping good people together," Hendrick said. "Jimmie (Johnson) and I
would like to be able to retire together."
Stated Johnson, "I am very excited about the new agreement and for the future." The
championship driver has been with Hendrick Motorsports and Lowe's since 2001. Since
coming together, Johnson and his team have amassed 47 victories and only twice have
they finished outside the top two in points.
According to Hendrick, Jeff Gordon has a lifetime contract with the team. "Jeff and I
have an agreement that he will drive for us as long as he's in Cup," the owner stated. He
also indicated that there are continuing discussions with Johnson regarding a lifetime
contract.
Mark Martin confirmed his thrill with racing for the Hendrick team exceeds that of any
previous arrangement. "I'm in the best frame of mind I've been in as an adult," he said.
"I look forward to the opportunity to strap into the race car and enthused with my team."
Juan Pablo Montoya affirmed that his team's performance in 2009 is as good as it gets.
"My goal for next year is to do as good as we did this year," the Miami resident said.
"The run this year has been incredible and we have to be able to match that performance
next year. My No. 1 priority is to get the job done, and I am racing in NASCAR because
I want to kick everyone's butt."
As a humorous aside, Montoya said his young son is a Kyle Busch fan and he recently
hung an M&M's car hood on his son's bedroom wall. "The boy knows every driver out
there, but my daughter's interest is minimal."
Chip Ganassi introduced his team's driver for 2010 -- Jamie McMurray. "I am really
happy to have Jamie back," co-owner Ganassi said. "It was a different NASCAR when
he left us in 2004; those were the days when it looked like you needed four cars."
Said McMurray, "Chip and I have been talking since August, and things haven't changed
since then. And getting the win at Talladega was good timing for me and everything in
my life." The newly hired driver visited the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing shops a few days
ago and indicated he was very impressed with what he saw. And he relished the warm
welcome received from the team members.
He also said he is looking to be with a two-car team.
The Ganassi team has brought several drivers back in the fold after short absences,
notably Juan Pablo Montoya and now McMurray. "Drivers sometimes look to go to
organizations where everything looks good on paper, but the real key is the balance of
people, and you never say never in this business," Ganassi said. "Coming back will not
be a lay-up for Jamie. You have to want to be in this business; you have to want to race
cars. This sport is about racing and being in front of everyone else."
Asked about Montoya's outlook today compared with a few years ago, Ganassi said,
"The Juan that you see now -- and I started to see this guy in mid-summer and at
Richmond -- is the Juan that we know and love. I am glad that he is back to himself, and
we are back at the front."
Discussing the Chase, Ganassi said, "The Chase is hard work and a lot of it is mental.
Also, your engines are important. There are so many things that need to be good to be in
the lead group, and that's what the attraction is."
Ganassi confirmed his team will return to Grand-Am competition next year, but he was
not in a position to divulge the engine supplier at this time.
Brian Vickers expressed his relief to have made the Chase, particularly for a two-year old
team, but now he wants to improve upon his position. "We have had a great year, but we
want to be able to race for the championship," he said. He believes his Chase
performance record would have been much better if not for a series of unpredictable
problems.
Rusty Wallace Racing announced it will partner with Toyota in the Nationwide Series for
the 2010 season. RWR will field Toyota Camry's for Steve Wallace and Brendan
Gaughan. Also, Rusty Wallace will represent the Toyota brand on a national basis.
"Our team's decision on manufacturers involved input from a lot of people within the
organization," Wallace said. "We decided at the end of the day, our goal as a race team
is simple: to win races and championships."
Greg Biffle has won at Homestead three times and needs to do so Sunday to enter victory
lane for the first time in 2009. "It makes me hurt to think about how many we've come
close to winning. They're not easy to win, and it would be very disappointing to go a
season without winning a race. Unfortunately, I've got one chance left, and that's here on
Sunday."
Regarding the importance of making the Chase, Biffle stated, "Being in the Chase is just
super-important for a team because number one you kind of become of an icon in the
sport. The Chase cars are viewed as those that 'made the playoffs,' so it's certainly
important, mentally, emotionally for a team, and for success to make the Chase each
year."
