Jarit Johnson Returns to Hickory Motor Speedway

Jarit Johnson Racing News Update: Friday April 3, 2009 Hickory, NC – With no contract signed yet at the newly formed Trail Motorsports and the organization still getting organized Jarit Johnson decided to put his own team back on the track. This Saturday April 4th Johnson will return to Hickory Motor Speedway to pilot the #74 Johnson Cooling – Lowes Home Improvement Chevrolet. He will also carry the Jimmie Johnson Foundation logo on the car to continue raising awareness of the organizations efforts. Johnson has been focused on his new business Johnson Cooling, which has developed an innovative cooling system for drivers while not on the track. The product is already being used by some top names in racing. “I’ve been focused on my business and remain hopeful that the Trail Motorsports agreement will come together. But I wanted to stay in the seat and keep on racing,” stated Johnson, who was working hard with his all volunteer crew to get the car ready for Saturday night’s event. “We have completely rebuilt this car and these guys have worked really hard to get it ready. I am really thankful to have such a great group of guys supporting me and a great sponsor like Lowes to help out.” Johnson will be chasing his 13th career win at the track. Since 2004 he’s compiled 12 wins, 8 of those victories came in 2007. Johnson also has 8-pole starts on record at Hickory. Dan DiPaolo, Jarit’s long time friend and crew chief will return as the Car Chief. Julian Heitz has volunteered to Crew Chief the car. Heitz is slated to become Johnson’s Crew Chief at Trail Motorsports. “It’s been kind of a stressful year for me in racing,” said Dan DiPaolo, who was a victim of the industries recently estimated 1000 layoffs. “This is what I love to do is race. So, there is no better stress reliever than going out there and racing with Jarit at Hickory. We have a great bunch of guys helping out and I have already told everyone that our number one goal is to go up there and just have fun. I’m really looking forward to working with Julian and hopefully we will be working a whole lot more together in the near future.” For more on the event visit www.HickoryMotorSpeedway.com For more on Jarit Johnson Racing visit: www.JaritJohnson.com