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Jimmie Johnson To Race In 2008 Rolex 24
- Updated: November 28, 2007
JOINS DRIVERS JON FOGARTY, ALEX GURNEY AND JIMMY VASSER
IN CHAMPION GAINSCO/BOB STALLINGS CAR SPONSORED BY LOWE?S
MOORESVILLE, N.C. ? Two-time Nextel Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, defending Grand-
Am Rolex Series champion GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing and Lowe?s Home Improvement will
join forces for the 46th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway
on Jan. 26-27.
Johnson will co-drive with defending Daytona Prototype champions Alex Gurney and Jon
Fogarty, plus 1996 Champ Car champion Jimmy Vasser in the No. 99 Lowe?s/GAINSCO/Bob
Stallings Racing Pontiac-Riley in America?s premiere sports car race.
“This is going to be a lot of fun,” Johnson said. “I really want to win the Rolex 24 and have tried
a couple of times. I think joining this team will give me the best shot ever. What these guys
were able to do last season was amazing. I have nothing but the highest respect for this team,
drivers and the Rolex Series and hope I can celebrate with them when we roll the
Lowe?s/GAINSCO car into victory lane. ?
The team began testing on Nov. 14 at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the
race. Fogarty and Gurney won the pole at this race in 2006 then went on to win the July race at
Daytona and the series championship. Team owner Bob Stallings is anxious to begin defending
his team?s 2007 championship title.
?We plan to take on all comers and there?s no better place to start than at the world?s most
prestigious endurance race,? Stallings said. ?Jimmie is not only a great driver, but a terrific
guy, and I?m especially thrilled that he?s joining the GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing family. I
believe that, with this incredible lineup, we have more than a fair chance of capturing one of
the most elite titles in motorsports ? winners of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.?
Johnson, 32, earned his second NASCAR Nextel Cup title in 2007 capping a season that saw
him earn 10 victories for Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson owns 33 NEXTEL Cup victories ? the
18th most of any driver. The El Cajon, Calif. native has competed three times in the Rolex 24 at
Daytona. He finished second in 2005 and 28th in 2004 driving for Howard-Boss Motorsports
and 36th for the Riley-Matthews team last year.
“I have said this before and don?t mind telling everyone again. One of the coolest things I have
ever done in my career is watching the sun come up over the Daytona International Speedway
at daybreak from behind the wheel of a prototype. That was such a beautiful sight and such a
peaceful, cool feeling. I’m going to make sure I am in the car when the sun comes up this
year.”
The normally red painted No. 99 will also carry the blue and silver Lowe?s paint scheme similar
to paint scheme Johnson drives each weekend in Nextel Cup racing. The team will participate
in the traditional three-day Rolex 24 test on Jan. 4-6.
?At our November test the car was really amazing. I could run within a tenth of a second of the
best times and through the infield, we were great. This will be a fun weekend, but we are
taking this very seriously. I want the trophy.?
Bob Gfeller, senior vice president of marketing and advertising at Lowe?s, said Johnson?s
appearance in the sports car race marks the third consecutive year a Lowe?s car will compete
on the road course in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
?We are very pleased to be part of this race once again,? Gfeller said. ?Everyone knows of our
involvement and success in NASCAR and in recent history we have also taken an active role in
sports car racing. Our customers and employees love all types of racing and we feel proud to
have a place in this exciting event, and to have this opportunity to support Jimmie in his quest
for another win.?