About the Jimmie Johnson Foundation

 

Currently competing in his ninth season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Jimmie Johnson has written his name all over the NASCAR record books.  Johnson made his full-time Cup Series debut in 2002 in the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Lowe’s Chevrolet.  As of April 16, 2010, his 50 career wins place him in the top ten for all-time wins in NASCAR history. 
  
The 34-year-old El Cajon, Calif.-native made professional sports history in 2009 by earning his fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title.  He is the only driver in the sport’s 61-year history to accomplish this feat. 

But Johnson’s impact isn’t limited to the race track. Johnson and his wife, Chandra, launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in 2006.  In 2007, the couple opened Jimmie Johnson’s Victory Lanes, a four-lane bowling center for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses at Victory Junction in Randleman, N.C. 

 

In addition to supporting organizations such as the Hendrick Marrow Program and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Johnsons host the annual Jimmie Johnson Foundation Golf Tournament in San Diego, C.A.  Proceeds from the tournament have been used to build four homes with San Diego Habitat for Humanity in Jimmie’s hometown of El Cajon, C.A., as well as to provide grants to K-12 public schools in the area in partnership with Lowe’s Toolbox for Education.  The foundation has also provided education grants in Chandra’s hometown in Oklahoma and in the Johnsons’ current hometown of Charlotte.

 

While Johnson’s success has come in a relatively short amount of time, it took years of hard work, dedication and help from a variety of people.  With the support of his family, Johnson’s racing career started on 50cc motorcycles at the age of five. His father, Gary, worked for a tire company and his mother, Cathy, drove a school bus. With Jimmie and younger brothers Jarit and Jessie in tow, the family spent their weekends camping and doing what they loved - racing.

Johnson was successful on motorcycles at an early age.  From motorcycles, Johnson graduated to the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group Stadium Racing Series.  Soon after, he was introduced to the Executive Director of GM Racing, Herb Fishel.  Johnson impressed Fishel with his driving ability and business acumen.  

Johnson seized the opportunity driving trucks in off-road desert and stadium races.  In 1995, the work paid off as Johnson met his future team owners Stan and Randy Herzog. The next year Johnson began driving the brothers' off-road truck.  After two years, Johnson was ready for the next opportunity.  Johnson climbed behind the wheel of an American Speed Association car getting his first taste of pavement racing and never looking back. 

Last year, Jimmie became the first race car driver to be named the Associated Press's Athlete of the Year in its 78-year history. He also won the ESPY for Best Driver for the second consecutive year.  In 2008, he was honored as the March of Dimes Sportsman of the Year for his philanthropic work.