MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AAA 400 DRIVE FOR AUTISM
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
JUNE 4, 2017

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS – Race Winner
GROWING UP, HIS HERO WAS CALE YARBOROUGH. HE LOVED THE HARDEE’S NO. 28 PAINT SCHEME AND EVEN WENT TO A HARDEE’S ONE TIME, HOPING TO SEE THE CAR IN PERSON. HE STARTED THE DAY WEARING A SPECIAL HELMET WITH CALE ON IT. NOT VERY OFTEN DOES AN ATHLETE GROW UP TRYING TO CHASE HIS CHILDHOOD HERO. TODAY, YOU MATCHED HALL OF FAMER CALE YARBOROUGH. HOW IMPACTFUL FOR YOU IS THE FEELING OF THIS WIN?
“Yeah, that’s such a great way to say it. I mean, I never thought I would end up here in NASCAR as a kid racing in the dirt out in Southern California. I was a big Cale Yarborough fan and I remember going to a race in Oklahoma with my parents and my brother. We were driving across the country and we pulled up to a Hardee’s. I had no idea it was a burger stand and I really thought when I walked in the door I was going to Cale Yarborough’s race shop (laughs). It was very disappointing. I had a burger and left and then understood the world of sponsorship.

“To be here and tie him at 83 wins is amazing. We just got the tribute helmet. I wasn’t sure how quickly we’d be, or if we’d be able to go there, and get it done. But, Cale, you’re the man. Thank you for all you have done for our sport.

“To be a part of one team and one sponsor, Lowe’s, Chevrolet, Valvoline, Gatorade, and with the support of the fans, this is an amazing day.”