Johnson Wins The Winston

CONCORD, N.C. (May 18, 2003) – Jimmie Johnson and Team Lowe’s Racing made a statement on Saturday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, winning The Winston and banking $1 million in the process. “To come out and win on our home track and win $1 million is great,” said Johnson, who became the 13th different winner of NASCAR’s all-star event. “Last year, we thought we had it after the first two segments, but it didn’t work out. “So this year, we played our cards right and focused on the big prize and went out and got it.” Johnson won the first two heats of the event last year, but failed to visit Victory Lane when the fans voted to invert the field for the final deciding segment, putting him last when the green flag waved. This year, Team Lowe’s started fourth after the inversion and quickly moved to the front by passing teammate Jeff Gordon on Lap 75 of the 90-lap event. “He is the best driver I have ever seen at Charlotte,” crew chief Chad Knaus said. “It’s a tremendous feeling to come out here and be able to do this.” Joe Nemechek finished fourth after a strong effort in the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevrolet, while Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevy, was eighth. Two-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Terry Labonte finished 13th overall after getting together with Tony Stewart while running in the top 10 in the second segment. Johnson became the third Hendrick Motorsports driver to win the special non-points event, joining Labonte and Gordon, and earned the $1,017,604 purse. The NASCAR Winston Cup Series will resume the championship push on Sunday, May 25 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord. The race will be carried live on MRN Radio and the FOX television network beginning at 5 p.m. EDT.