CONCORD, N.C. – This November, the No. 48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will pay homage to Jimmie Johnson’s very first ride.
When Johnson’s NASCAR Cup Series career first began, he piloted the “Power of Pride” paint scheme for his first three career races near the end of the 2001 season.
The look will return to the track for the Nov. 11 race at ISM Raceway.
“To bring that scheme back, I don’t think many people associate Jimmie Johnson to that with just three races in 2001,” Johnson said. “My best finish was like in the mid-20s. It’s going to be really cool to bring it back and it will remind people of that first point in time for me in the Cup Series.”
Already memorable as Johnson’s very first car, the scheme is even more meaningful due to its genesis. The red, white and blue design was placed on the car shortly after the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
“It is very meaningful on a lot of levels,” Johnson said. “Because of 9/11, to carry that paint scheme on the car, there was so much pride in the country, so much patriotism going on. To have our car carry that for those three races was really special.”
It was the first of many patriotic schemes for Lowe's and the No. 48 team over the years, including one this year that debuted in May. At that time, Lowe's released a video that showed how the power of pride always played an important role with every scheme.
The return of Johnson's original paint scheme at Phoenix won't mark the end of the throwback rides for the No. 48 team this season, either. Lowe's teased as much on Monday.
Stay tuned!