Rick Hendrick, Jimmie Johnson not worried about sponsor hunt

By Jerry Jordan, Editor

LONG POND, Pa. – Despite having to look for a new primary sponsor for the No. 48 Chevrolet, driven by seven-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports team owner, Rick Hendrick, said the search is going well and they have actually narrowed down potential suitors.

“It is interesting, you know, because for what 15 years it has been, kind of, an automatic deal,” Hendrick told Kickin’ the Tires, at Pocono Raceway. “A lot of interest. We have to make sure we have what fits with the rest of our sponsors, so we’ve got some good candidates we are talking to.”

Since he came into the NASCAR Cup Series full-time in 2002, Johnson has raced with the same sponsor – Lowe’s. Now, after what is one of the most iconic sponsorship runs in the history of the sport – with Johnson and Lowe’s sharing seven championships together – the Mooresville, N.C.-based company is calling it quits in racing.

Despite posting revenue number of $68.6 billion in annual revenue it is refocusing its marketing efforts and that has left Hendrick Motorsports and Johnson looking to fill a void that is estimated at more than $20 million a year. The departure, however, doesn’t seem to have fazed Hendrick or Johnson as both are upbeat about the future.

“You know, used to you would get them down in the Spring and by the early Summer, today’s market you don’t get them closed that quick. So, we’ve got two or three that we have been talking with since we found out the situation with Lowe’s,” Hendrick said. “And we have had others that were just a conflict. We had a really good one (sponsor) that we couldn’t do because of one of our other sponsors but those are the kind of things when you have sponsors and multiple sponsors, that’s what you run into.”

When asked if this wasn’t somehow a near=perfect scenario for the right company because it will allow them to send Johnson off as, at least, a seven-time champion with their business emblazoned on the No. 48 car instead of Lowe’s, Hendrick agreed. He said it’s one of the things that has makes Johnson such an attractive partner for the right company.

“It really is, and there again, when no one knew he would be available and now that opportunity is there, we have got to make sure we have one that fits with that team and fits with the rest of our guys. So, you know, you don’t take a Tom Brady-type guy and just take the first thing that comes up,” Hendrick said. “I am not worried about Jimmie and the 48 team, we will have him a good deal by Daytona.”

As for Johnson, he said he has been having fun meeting with potential new sponsors and there have even been one of two that he really thought would be a good fit. He said some of the early meetings were just introductions to the sport overall and others were with more established companies having a greater knowledge of motorsports.

“Things have been great, a lot of optimism and there is a ton of interest with being on the 48 car, so exciting times for sure,” Johnson said. “Some of them are more traditional introductory-level, as you would expect and see. Of course, a lot of interest, amazing people, great companies. There are some companies that really, I feel my brand and who I am as an individual, fits that brand so well. And I have my expectations or hopes around those, so it’s been a very interesting and educational process.”