Jimmie Johnson on the future: ‘I will be around a while’

Jimmie Johnson said he viewed news that longtime sponsor Lowe’s will depart sponsorship of his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in 2019 as “an opportunity” to find a new sponsor who will support a proven seven-time NASCAR champion.

“This is really a unique opportunity,” Johnson said Friday at Auto Club Speedway. “It’s a great learning and growing opportunity for myself. When I started at age 25 and Lowe’s came on board, it was an entirely different environment.”

“The desire to race is still there,” Johnson added. “I will be around a while.”

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Johnson, a seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion, has partnered with Lowe’s for 18 years. He thanked his longtime sponsor for its support, and said he already has been “heavily involved” in the search for a new sponsor.

“I know they would like me involved and I want to be involved,” Johnson said of his team.

As for why the 42-year-old Johnson doesn’t view this as an opening to announce this might be his final year of competition?

“I want to win,” he said. “I want to win an eighth championship.”

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This story will be updated.