Hendrick Motorsports announced Friday that its deal with Ally Financial has been extended by three years to keep Ally as full-season primary sponsor on the #48 HMS Chevrolet in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series through the 2023 season. The initial deal between race team and sponsor began with the 2019 season and carries through the 2020 season.
Hendrick Motorsports, in its press release announcing the extension of its deal with Ally, also hinted at Jimmie Johnson's Cup Series career ending by the end of the 2023 season.
"The agreement all but guarantees that seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will finish his legendary full-time NASCAR career with Ally as his primary sponsor,” the HMS press release announcing the Ally extension read.
Johnson is under contract to Hendrick Motorsports through the 2020 season. He has not announced his racing plans beyond next season.
Johnson has spent his entire NASCAR Cup Series career with Hendrick and has been the full-time driver of the #48 since the 2002 season. This season is Ally's first as sponsor of the #48. Johnson had Lowe's as his primary sponsor for his entire Cup Series career through the 2018 season.
“Our first year with Jimmie and the team at Hendrick Motorsports has been phenomenal,” Ally Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer Andrea Brimmer said. “Jimmie’s the ultimate competitor, and Ally is proud to support him and the rest of the #48 team. We are thrilled to extend our contract and build on the incredible momentum we’ve established. This sponsorship goes way beyond just putting our logo on the car. It’s built on our shared values for doing right in the communities we race in, while growing our brand with passionate, new audiences. We look forward to many more exciting laps together.”
Johnson has a record-matching seven Cup Series championships, including a record five-straight between 2006 and 2010, and 83-career race wins, tying him for sixth on the all-time wins list. His most recent championship came in 2016 and latest race win in 2017.
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