Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus, along with six Lowes employees with more than 30 years of military duty, unveiled the #48 Lowes Chevy that Johnson will run in the Memorial Day weekend Sprint Cup event at Lowes Motor Speedway.”We typically dont have a lot of special paint schemes throughout the year,” said Johnson, who will be trying for this fourth win in the Memorial Day weekend race.”This event is usually an exception though. It means a lot to honor our country and all the people in the military. Both my grandfathers served so I understand the importance of showing our support.” The cars design carries the names of 12,548 Lowes employees who are military veterans or reservists. The names are showcased on the cars hood and decklid. The remaining paint scheme was inspired partly by Knaus who worked with Lowes to create the patriotic-themed car to help honor the military.”For some reason those patriotic schemes we used to run back home have always stuck in my mind,” said Knaus.”They were special and meant something to us. Last year a serviceman approached me at Pocono and told me how much the paint schemes Lowes has during Memorial Day weekend meant to those that serve. So I really wanted to work with Lowes and the team to create an extra-special one this year.” Knaus, who got his start in racing by working with his fathers team in Rockford, Ill., used images of the red, white and blue schemes his father drove to help develop the concept for the Memorial Day weekend car. In support of the Memorial Day holiday, Lowes will offer a 10% discount to all active, reserve, honorably discharged, and retired military personnel and their immediate families. In addition, a special page has been set up on LowesRacing.com giving fans the opportunity to thank the military members who mean the most to them by posting photographs and stories of themselves, friends or family members on the site. Lowes employees also may visit the site to locate the placement of their name on the car.(Lowe’s Racing), see images of the scheme on my #48 Team Schemes page.(5-18-2009)
