No. 48 Lowe's team captures contingency awards at Infineon

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 22, 2010) – The No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team provided the equipment for a strong qualifying effort and the fastest lap to help propel Jimmie Johnson to Victory Lane at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series road course event at Infineon Raceway last Sunday. With a “Booyah” from the driver's seat, the No. 48 Lowe’s team captured the victory as well as the Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap of the Race, MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Race and the Sunoco Diamond Performance awards. The awards are part of the NASCAR Prize Money and Decal Program, also referred to as the contingency program, which provides teams prize money and weekly awards based on performance in several categories. After qualifying second, Johnson turned the fastest lap of the race on the fifth lap with a speed of 91.73 mph to help him take the lead, which he held for the next 20 laps keeping him near the front for the final push. For that effort the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet took home the Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap of the Race award, their first of the season. “I think we kind of found our direction early in the weekend,” Johnson said. “Just made small changes and kept making it a little bit better. We led a lot of laps today, which was really nice to do. We had to make some good passes at times. Feel like it was a complete day, complete weekend.” All day long, the No. 48 car relied on its strong power plant and was awarded the team’s third MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Race honor, which is given weekly based on qualifying and finishing position. “It was a great day for the Lowe’s team,” said car chief Ron Malec. “We were good off the truck, stuck to our plan and finally got that road-course victory we’ve been searching for. It was such a great effort by every member of the team. Jimmie, the guys in the 24/48 shop, the engine department – everyone has put so much energy in this win it’s pretty cool to have that all come full circle. Earning awards for fastest lap, top engine builder and overall performance really shows what an accomplishment and team effort this was.” As the highest finishing eligible driver, Johnson picked up his fourth Sunoco Diamond Performance award of the year.