Johnson Wins Inaugural Race at Chicagoland Speedway

JOLIET, Ill. (July 16, 2001) - Jimmie Johnson and the Excedrin Racing team brought home Herzog Motorsports’ first NASCAR Busch Series win this weekend at the new Chicagoland Speedway. Friday the 13th proved to be the beginning of a terrific weekend when the team qualified sixth for the inaugural Hills Bros Coffee 300. The new streak of luck was just the beginning as Johnson brought home the victory one day later.

Johnson battled with loose driving conditions for the first 42 laps of the 200-lap event, before pitting for four scuffed tires and fuel. The scuffed tires proved helpful for the driver as he quickly moved up from the 15th position to the ninth spot within 20 laps. Johnson settled in to the ninth position, planning his next move. On lap 99, Johnson brought the No. 92 Excedrin Chevrolet Monte Carlo down pit road for the team’s second stop of the day. The exceptional four-tire stop advanced Johnson to the fifth position.

Johnson wasted no time in showing the competition that the No. 92 Excedrin Chevrolet Monte Carlo was the car to beat, as he advanced to the third position by lap 153. When the eighth caution flag of the day flew on lap 156, crew chief Tony Liberati made the call for two fresh tires and fuel. Johnson entered the pits in the third position and exited with the lead.

“We had tried two tires during practice on Friday and it seemed to balance the car to exactly what we needed,” explained Johnson. “Tony [Liberati] knew that we had the car to beat and that the two fresh tires would help make us even better at the end of the race. It was a great call that got the No. 92 Excedrin Chevrolet Monte Carlo out in the lead.”

After taking over the lead on lap 158, Johnson never looked back, leading to the checkered flag. “I knew Ryan [Newman] was behind me,” stated Johnson. “Lorin [Ranier], my spotter, kept telling me the Excedrin Chevrolet Monte Carlo was right and that Ryan wouldn’t catch me. Everyone was counting down the laps. Tony [Liberati] kept telling me it was just another happy hour and to run 40 more qualifying laps.”

Johnson shares his first career NASCAR Busch Series victory with Herzog Motorsports’ owners, Stan, Randy and Bill Herzog, for whom Johnson has driven for six seasons. “I owe all of this to the Herzogs, Excedrin and to Tony [Liberati],” said Johnson. “They had faith in me and gave me this opportunity. I am glad that I am the one that helped bring them their first NASCAR Busch Series victory. This is something that no one can take away from the Excedrin Racing team and Herzog Motorsports. We will forever be in the record books as the team that won the first race at Chicagoland Speedway. We can’t wait to get the No. 92 Excedrin Chevrolet Monte Carlo in victory lane again really soon!”

By winning the 19th race of the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series schedule, Johnson moves up to the eighth position in the drivers points standings. The NASCAR Busch Series will make their next stop at Gateway International Speedway this Saturday night, July 21. The Excedrin Racing team will proudly display the blue Excedrin PM colors as they race for their second win of the season. The CARQUEST Auto Parts 250 will air live on the TNT Television Network and on the MRN Radio Network starting at 7:30 p.m. EST.

For more Excedrin Racing information, log on to www.excedrin.com. Excedrin is a family of non-prescription pain relievers for safe and effective pain relief for a range of headache types. Excedrin is produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb, a leading diversified worldwide health and personal care company, whose principle businesses are medications, nutritionals and medical devices.