By Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press
May 19, 2006
09:39 PM EDT (01:39 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Chad Knaus was left out of the recent round of contract extensions at Hendrick Motorsports, and the crew chief said Friday he's not received indication that he'll get one.
"I love my job. I love my team. I love it at Hendrick Motorsports," Knaus said during preparations for the Nextel All-Star Challenge. "But no one has talked to me about staying beyond 2007."
Jimmie Johnson and sponsor Lowe's both signed three-year extensions this week that keep them with Hendrick through the 2010 season. But Knaus is still working under his old deal, which expires at the end of next year.
Knaus was included in the last round of extensions, which came in 2003. Not getting one this week created speculation through the garage that something was amiss.
Knaus ended last season amid rumors he was trying to get out of his contract, but he and Johnson said they opened the season committed as ever to each other. But Knaus was then caught cheating during Daytona 500 preparations and opened the season serving a four-race suspension.
"I don't think Daytona has anything to do with it at all," Knaus said. "I would like to work something out and stay here, there just aren't any talks to do that right now."
A spokesman for Rick Hendrick said the car owner has every intention of extending Knaus' deal.
Johnson said he wants Knaus leading his team far into the future.
"If I were looking into a time machine, I would see Chad being crew chief on the 48 for a very long time," Johnson said. "And then, still be at Hendrick Motorsports in some sort of engineering capacity, and still be around and contributing."
There is speculation that Hendrick is keeping a close eye on Knaus, trying to see if he can walk a straight line and stay out of trouble with NASCAR, before the team will offer him a longer deal.
But there's been a noticeable change in his demeanor since Knaus returned from his suspension, and Johnson praised him for the softer approach.
"He is taking some days off here and there recently to recharge his own battery," Johnson said. "Before, he would work seven days a week, 18 hours a day, he has finally realized that no one can keep that pace up.
"He is really making a huge effort and I am really proud of him."
Knaus said Hendrick urged him to take a step back.
"Mr. H really made me understand that racing isn't life or death, and there are a lot more important things out there," Knaus said. "There was no way I could put the same energy into it that I did last year because I was miserable at the end of last season and that wasn't good for anyone."
Johnson heads into Saturday night's event first in the points standings.
May 19, 2006
09:39 PM EDT (01:39 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Chad Knaus was left out of the recent round of contract extensions at Hendrick Motorsports, and the crew chief said Friday he's not received indication that he'll get one.
"I love my job. I love my team. I love it at Hendrick Motorsports," Knaus said during preparations for the Nextel All-Star Challenge. "But no one has talked to me about staying beyond 2007."
Jimmie Johnson and sponsor Lowe's both signed three-year extensions this week that keep them with Hendrick through the 2010 season. But Knaus is still working under his old deal, which expires at the end of next year.
Knaus was included in the last round of extensions, which came in 2003. Not getting one this week created speculation through the garage that something was amiss.
Knaus ended last season amid rumors he was trying to get out of his contract, but he and Johnson said they opened the season committed as ever to each other. But Knaus was then caught cheating during Daytona 500 preparations and opened the season serving a four-race suspension.
"I don't think Daytona has anything to do with it at all," Knaus said. "I would like to work something out and stay here, there just aren't any talks to do that right now."
A spokesman for Rick Hendrick said the car owner has every intention of extending Knaus' deal.
Johnson said he wants Knaus leading his team far into the future.
"If I were looking into a time machine, I would see Chad being crew chief on the 48 for a very long time," Johnson said. "And then, still be at Hendrick Motorsports in some sort of engineering capacity, and still be around and contributing."
There is speculation that Hendrick is keeping a close eye on Knaus, trying to see if he can walk a straight line and stay out of trouble with NASCAR, before the team will offer him a longer deal.
But there's been a noticeable change in his demeanor since Knaus returned from his suspension, and Johnson praised him for the softer approach.
"He is taking some days off here and there recently to recharge his own battery," Johnson said. "Before, he would work seven days a week, 18 hours a day, he has finally realized that no one can keep that pace up.
"He is really making a huge effort and I am really proud of him."
Knaus said Hendrick urged him to take a step back.
"Mr. H really made me understand that racing isn't life or death, and there are a lot more important things out there," Knaus said. "There was no way I could put the same energy into it that I did last year because I was miserable at the end of last season and that wasn't good for anyone."
Johnson heads into Saturday night's event first in the points standings.
