Jimmie Johnson nor Hendrick Motorsports has much sense of urgency to extend a contract that expires after the 2010 season. “We want to race with Jimmie Johnson as long as Jimmie Johnson wants to be racing and we’ve had discussions around that,” Hendrick general manager Marshall Carlson said.

Carlson said discussions will “probably take their own pace,” presumably, he said, because “the discussions have been, ‘Hey, would you like to look into something long-term?’ and there have been affirmatives on both sides.” Hendrick Motorsports signed four-time champion Jeff Gordon to a lifetime driver contract in 1999, which included an equity stake in his and what became Johnson’s team. He is officially listed as Johnson’s car owner.

“The sport has changed a lot since Jeff formed that deal with Rick,” Johnson said. “It’s hard for me to even think of that. It’s nothing I’ve ever thought was possible. I certainly would look at that and would love that opportunity. I don’t plan on going anywhere else. This is home for me. In a way, I feel like we already have that understanding.” Lowe’s sponsorship agreement with Hendrick for the #48 Chevrolet also expires after the 2010 season.

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