The major point of most sponsorships is that "Hey, I wasn't even thinking about Lowes, they might have what I need", not "I'm going to shop there "because they sponsor this person", although that tactic has actually been pretty successful over the years with NASCAR fans.
My point was that especially if Lowes stays with Jimmie through the end of his career, Lowes will still be getting name recognition value EVERY time a JJ highlight is shown on TV, every photograph of him, old Johnson cars in various museums and such. Look at all the free advertisement STP gets from being associated with Richard Petty, (to the point they STILL have some sponsorship with him almost FIFTY years later) GM from Earnhardt, Dupont/Axalta get from Gordon, even though none of them are still racing, and only one is still involved as a regular major sponsor. I think there is value in Lowes maintaining SOME sort of connection with Johnson, even if it's a fraction of what they have paid in the past.
