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Jimmie Johnson details continuing sponsorship search

Charlotte Motor Speedway - Cup Practice

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 19: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 19, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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CONCORD, N.C. -- Just over two months since Lowe’s announced it would not return to sponsor his No. 48 Chevrolet in 2019, Jimmie Johnson provided a little insight into his first search for a major sponsor in his Cup career.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver had to “swallow the pill” of Lowe’s departure but recognizes that “ship has sailed.”

Johnson made his comments Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Johnson, who has been sponsored by Lowe’s since 2001, said “multiple companies” are interested in backing the seven-time champion.

He was asked about a rumor that Red Bull was one of those companies interested.

“There’s definitely interest there,” Johnson said of the energy drink company that fielded its own Cup team from 2007-09. “I think there’s interest from a variety of different companies. That’s only one of a long list of hopefuls.”

Johnson said it is “exciting” to “look through a different lens” at what opportunities are out there for his team.

“A lot of conversing and ideas and you feel like sometimes a conversation with a given company is going in a different direction and then they go to work and brainstorm and come back with a new idea and angle,” Johnson said. “So, it’s amazing how much follow-up is involved and how much collaboration exists through it all. I have enjoyed the process. I’ve enjoyed being involved. I’ve learned a ton. I’ve been able to bring some opportunities to the table through my own contacts that I have and also others have come along through Mr. (Rick) Hendrick’s network and other networks. It’s been interesting. It’s taken a lot of time and it’s been a fun, new experience for me.”

Johnson shared some of the questions he asks regarding prospective sponsors.

“How I can be integrated into their mission statement in a sense and help them internally, how they are going to market us, how they are going to use us, that is all exciting stuff,” Johnson said. “We have some great opportunities there to look at.”