Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

A23
SPORTS Thursday 21 November 2019
7-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson to retire after 2020

By JENNA FRYER win and bowed in conces-
AP Auto Racing Writer sion. The heady days are
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — long gone and Johnson
Jimmie Johnson sat down has been in a two-year
next to Jeff Gordon at a slump. He last won a race
2001 driver meeting and in 2017 and had two dif-
asked the champion if he ferent crew chief changes
had time to offer any ca- this season while missing
reer advice. the playoffs for the first time
Gordon was so impressed since the format began
with the fellow California in 2004. He finished 18th in
native that he encour- the final standings, 13th in
aged Rick Hendrick to start Sunday's season finale, and
a team built specifically for has just five top-five finishes
the 25-year-old Johnson. the last two years.
It turned into one of the Johnson has driven for Rick
greatest hires in NASCAR Hendrick his entire Cup
history and nudged Gordon career and set a NASCAR
aside as the most dominant record in winning five con-
driver on the track. Now secutive titles from 2006
Johnson will follow Gordon through 2010, an accom-
and many other NASCAR plishment that earned him
superstars into retirement Associated Press Male Ath-
as the seven-time cham- lete of the Year after his
pion announced Wednes- fifth crown.
day he will retire from full- All 83 of Johnson's wins
time competition after next have come in the No. 48
season. and include two Daytona
The 44-year-old Johnson 500s, four victories at India-
joins an exodus of popular napolis Motor Speedway,
drivers that began when In this Nov. 10, 2019, file photo, Jimmie Johnson waves during driver introductions prior to the a record 11 wins at Dover
Gordon retired after the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. International Speedway,
2015 season. Tony Stewart, Associated Press nine at Martinsville Speed-
Dale Earnhardt Jr, Carl Ed- achieved more than I able seven-time champion borough for sixth all-time. way and eight at Charlotte
wards, Matt Kenseth, Dan- thought possible. I am look- — through his competitive He trails Darrell Waltrip and Motor Speedway.
ica Patrick and Jamie Mc- ing forward to next season spirit, immense talent and Bobby Allison on the all- Johnson had two years re-
Murray are among those and celebrating what will sportsmanship — has made time win list by one, and maining on his contract
who followed Gordon out be my last year as a full- NASCAR a better sport." two wins in 2020 would when new sponsor Ally
the door. time Cup driver. I know Reaction was immediate give him sole possession signed on before this sea-
Johnson, the winningest what this team is capable from drivers, as well as re- of fourth on the list behind son to replace Lowe's,
driver of his era, said in a of and I hope 2020 is one of tired cyclist Lance Arm- Gordon's mark of 93 trips to which had sponsored
video posted to his social the best yet." strong and seven-time Su- victory lane. Johnson from his 2001 de-
media and titled "(hash) Johnson scheduled a Thurs- percross champion Jeremy Johnson's seven titles are but through 2018. Ally last
Chasing8 one final time" day news conference at McGrath. tied with Richard Petty and month announced a three-
that next season will be his Hendrick Motorsports to "Proud of you, bro," Arm- Dale Earnhardt for most in year extension to sponsor
final attempt to win a re- discuss his decision. He joins strong wrote. "And even the Cup Series, the last one the No. 48, but Johnson's
cord eighth Cup title. It will Gordon and Earnhardt Jr. prouder to call you a friend. coming in 2016. His most future was not tied to the
be his 19th season in the as Hendrick drivers who Let's go get #8." impressive championship renewal through 2023.
No. 48 Chevrolet. have called it a career Gordon called Johnson "a battle was likely title No. 2 "Jimmie Johnson is a legend
"I am so thankful for 18 in- since 2015. class act and true champi- during a 10-win 2007 sea- in racing, the epitome of
credible years of racing in "NASCAR history will always on on & off track" while cur- son in an epic showdown class and the ultimate rep-
NASCAR," Johnson said in hold Jimmie Johnson in rent Hendrick teammate with Gordon, his team- resentative of our brand,"
the black-and-white video the highest regard, for his Chase Elliott was among mate. Gordon won back- said Andrea Brimmer, chief
comprised of highlights hard-charging success on the many young drivers to-back playoff races that marketing officer at Ally.
from his career. "This sport the racetrack and the way to refer to Johnson as the season to take the points "We are proud that Jim-
has been good to me and he conducted himself as greatest of all time with an lead, but Johnson reeled mie will finish his remark-
allowed me to do some- a champion off the track," emoji of a goat. off four straight victories able NASCAR driving ca-
thing I truly love. I showed said NASCAR Chairman Johnson has 83 career vic- and Gordon visited him in reer with Ally as his primary
up chasing a dream and Jim France. "This remark- tories, tied with Cale Yar- victory lane after the fourth sponsor."q

U.S. baseball grouped with Puerto Rico, Dominicans, Nicaragua

By The Associated Press berths to be determined. The U.S. held a ninth- The top two teams in each group advance to
After failing to earn an Olympic baseball berth inning lead Sunday but lost to Mexico 3-2 in 10 a super round, with the results carried forward
at the Premier12 tournament, the United States innings. from the games between the teams who ad-
was grouped with Puerto Rico, the Dominican The World Baseball Softball Confederation held vanced. The super group winner gets an Olym-
Republic and Nicaragua for the first round of a draw Wednesday in Sakai, Japan, for the pic berth. The second- and third-place teams
Americas qualifying. Americas tournament, to be held in Arizona advance to the final qualifying tournament in
Host Japan, South Korea, Mexico and Israel al- from March 22-26. In the other first-round group, Taiwan from April 1-5, where they will be joined
ready have qualified for the Olympic baseball Cuba was drawn to play Canada, Colombia by China, the Netherlands, Taiwan and the top
tournament in Japan next summer, with two and Venezuela. team from an Oceania pre-qualifier.q