Lowes to stay with Hendrick

At the Chevy unveiling, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick was quick to scotch rumors that Lowe’s, sponsor of five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, might not renew its sponsorship.

“Lowe’s will be back,” Hendrick said emphatically. “I don’t know where that came from, but they’ll be back. Wishful thinking, maybe, by some of the other folks, but they’ll be back.

Lowe’s and Hendrick haven’t signed a deal yet, but the car owner is confident he has a commitment from the home improvement retailer.

“We’ve got a verbal,” Hendrick said. “We’ll button it up, but it’s early.”