Johnson’s Plans UPDATE 2: Jimmie Johnson, who is scheduled to run for Winston Cup rookie of the year with Hendrick Motorsports in 2002, will hold off on the Cup series for now as he attempts to improve his BGN performance. Johnson will probably run four to six Cup races, but none before the August race at Michigan Speedway(Gaston Gazette)(2-9-2001) UPDATE: Initially, Johnson thought his debut might come at Michigan in August, but it now appears he’ll wait until the October event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. A tentative schedule he won’t divulge calls for at least four races with his future #48 team and possibly as many as seven(Winston Cup Scene)(5-3-2001) UPDATE 2: Johnson said Saturday at The Milwaukee Mile that he’ll make his Cup debut at Charlotte in October in the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy. Johnson also said he plans to run at least four Winston Cup races in 2001, in preparation for his 2002 rookie season, Charlotte(Lowes), Rockingham, Talladega and Atlanta and possible up to six races. Johnson will test a Hendrick Motorsports Chevy for the first time early next week at Kentucky Speedway. He’s never driven a Winston Cup car before. In past weeks, rumors had arisen that, rather than add another team, Hendrick might just replace a current HMS driver with Johnson. Johnson says there’s no truth to it. “I think that’s pretty bogus,” Johnson said. “Terry’s(Labonte) under a long term contract, Jerry(Nadeau), too, and of course Jeff(Gordon) signed a lifetime deal.”(NASCAR.com)(6-30-2001)
