Chad Knaus believes he and Jimmie Johnson can continue to add to their championship total for years to come.

But the crew chief first needs a new contract.

Knaus on Wednesday denied an ESPN report that he’s agreed to lead Johnson through 2015, the length of Johnson’s new contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports.

Knaus, who has guided Johnson to four straight titles and 47 victories since 2002, is still working under an extension signed in 2006 that runs through next season.

“We’ve only started very light conversations,” Knaus said. “I don’t have a new contract, and we’ve barely had enough conversation for me to agree to anything.”

Although Knaus said it is his intention to stay with Hendrick Motorsports, “you never know what will happen. There are so many what-ifs.”

Knaus began his NASCAR career with Hendrick in 1993 as an original member of Jeff Gordon’s “Rainbow Warriors” crew. He began as an assistant in the body shop, worked his way into the fabrication department and eventually was put in charge of the body development for Gordon’s car. He was also a tire changer on Gordon’s 1995 and 1997 teams.

Knaus left Hendrick after the 1997 season to try to advance his career, working at Dale Earnhardt Inc. as the car chief for Steve Park, then for Ray Evernham when he left Hendrick to start his own race team. He then spent one season as crew chief for Stacy Compton at Melling Racing.

Knaus returned to Hendrick in 2002 when car owner Rick Hendrick formed Johnson’s new team.
Sourced via washingtonpost.com

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