NASCAR: What does Ally’s new Hendrick deal mean for Jimmie Johnson?

Ally Financial extended their full-season sponsorship of the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet through the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. What does this mean for Jimmie Johnson?

Ally Financial announced late last season that they would come on board as the full-time primary sponsor of Jimmie Johnson’s #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the 2019 and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series seasons following the departure of longtime primary sponsor Lowe’s.

Now the bank holding company have announced that they have extended their full-time sponsorship agreement with Hendrick Motorsports for an additional three seasons, meaning that they will be featured on the #48 Chevrolet through at least the 2023 season.

They confirmed this news on Twitter.

Here is what Ally chief marketing and public relations officer Andrea Brimmer had to say about the matter, according to NASCAR.

"“Our first year with Jimmie and the team at Hendrick Motorsports has been phenomenal. Jimmie’s the ultimate competitor, and Ally is proud to support him and the rest of the No. 48 team. We are thrilled to extend our contract and build on the incredible momentum we’ve established. This sponsorship goes way beyond just putting our logo on the car. It’s built on our shared values for doing right in the communities we race in, while growing our brand with passionate, new audiences. We look forward to many more exciting laps together.”"

Here is what Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick had to add.

"“Ally’s values are our values. Working with integrity, being accountable to one another, and leading in both the workplace and in our communities are all core beliefs that we share. This is a tremendous relationship on many levels, and to see it have success and grow so quickly is truly meaningful. Jimmie sets the standard and is a wonderful representative for Ally. Today is a great day for all of us.”"

Here is what Johnson had to say.

"“The energy Ally has brought to the No. 48 team, Hendrick Motorsports and the sport of NASCAR is contagious. They have embraced our fans, activated their program in unique ways and supported me at every turn, from racing my No. 48 car every week to running the Boston Marathon. It’s a true bond – not just a business transaction. We care about each other’s success. I’m proud to be associated with Ally and can’t wait to see what they do in the future.”"

Johnson, however, has not signed a new contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports.

The seven-time Cup Series champion is currently driving under the contract extension he signed in June of 2017 to drive for the team through the 2020 season.

So what does this new Ally sponsorship deal mean for him?

Truth be told, this doesn’t change a whole lot for Johnson, and the fact that he hasn’t signed another contract extension indicates that.

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He is still contracted to drive for Hendrick Motorsports for another season, and he has made clear that amid retirement rumors and IndyCar switch rumors, his focus remains on NASCAR and will continue to remain on NASCAR for as long as he is competing in the series.

The only real question is exactly what it has been: when will Johnson retire?

Regardless of what the answer is, Ally’s new sponsorship contract with Hendrick  Motorsports likely had no effect on it, and vice versa. They were already signed to sponsor him through the 2020 season to begin with.

The only real takeaway here is the fact that Johnson is slated to finish his career with Ally as his primary sponsor.

Given his active career-long 88-race win drought, which is nearly four times as long as his previous career-long win drought, It’s hard to see him still competing in the Cup Series in 2023 at the age of 48, although the number 48 has treated him well throughout his career in the form of 83 victories, tied for the sixth most all-time, and a record-tying seven championships.

Hendrick Motorsports stated that Jimmie Johnson is set to announce his plans for the future at a later date, implying that there will be a new driver of the #48 Ally Financial Chevrolet at some point before the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season begins given the fact that he did not sign a contract extension through then along with Ally.

Whether that new driver arrives ahead of the 2021 season, the 2022 season or the 2023 season remains to be seen. Regardless, Ally is set to be the primary sponsor when it happens, and the answer to the question of when it happens hinges solely on Johnson’s retirement.