Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson
Johnson in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, August 2009
Date of birth	September 17, 1975 (1975-09-17) (age 35)
Hometown	El Cajon, California
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	175 lb (79 kg)
Achievements	2006/2007/2008/2009 Sprint Cup Series Champion Sprint All-Star Race XIX and XXII Winner 2006 Daytona 500 Winner 2006/2008/2009 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Winner
Awards	1998 ASA Rookie of the Year Off-road championships in SODA, SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group 2009 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series statistics
Car no., team	48 – Hendrick Motorsports
2009 Sprint Cup position	1st
Best finish	1st – 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
First race	2001 UAW-GM Quality 500 (Charlotte)
First win	2002 NAPA Auto Parts 500 (California)
Last win	2010 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 (Loudon)
Wins Top tens Poles 52 192 24
NASCAR Nationwide Series statistics
Best finish	8th – 2001
First race	1998 Kroger 200 (IRP)
First win	2001 Sam's Club Presents Hill Bros. Coffee 300 (Chicago)
Last win	2001 Sam's Club Presents Hill Bros. Coffee 300 (Chicago)
Wins Top tens Poles 1 23 2
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series statistics
Best finish	104th – 2008
First race	2008 O'Reilly 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 0 0
Statistics current as of August 21, 2010.

Jimmie Kenneth Johnson (born September 17, 1975), nicknamed "Superman" by fellow driver Mark Martin, is an American stock car racer from El Cajon, California. Johnson started his NASCAR career in 1996 and currently drives the 48 Lowe's / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet Impala co-owned by Rick Hendrick and his teammate Jeff Gordon operated by Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson is a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, and in 2009 he became the only driver to win four consecutive Sprint Cup Series Championships.^[1] He is the 2009 Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press, 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver of the year, as well as being considered as 2000's " Best Driver of the Decade."

Personal life

Johnson was born in El Cajon, California on September 17, 1975. He attended Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, California near San Diego with current free-agent second baseman Marcus Giles. At Granite Hills High School the No. 48 is retired for all sports in honor of Johnson. He married Chandra Janway on December 11, 2004, and on January 4, 2010, the Associated Press reported that the Johnsons were expecting their first child, a girl, in July 2010.^[2] On Wednesday, July 7th, 2010, Johnson's wife Chandra gave birth to a daughter, Genevieve Marie.^[3]

Johnson is an avid San Diego Padres and San Diego Chargers fan as they are his hometown teams. He also follows the Atlanta Braves and the Carolina Panthers (His adopted team since he is now based in North Carolina; the latter is based in Charlotte, close to Lowe's headquarters in Mooresville, NC). As is the custom on Fox's NFC Championship Game broadcasts (or Super Bowl when Fox has the Super Bowl that year), Johnson appeared on the post-game show for the 2007 NFC Championship game when the Chicago Bears defeated the New Orleans Saints (The NASCAR Sprint Cup champion makes an appearance during that game). His interview aired directly opposite of the opening kickoff of the AFC Championship game.

Johnson maintains strong ties to the San Diego area. He is a part of one of the local San Diego Chevy dealers that carries his name (along with owner Rick Hendrick). Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet in the Kearny Mesa section of San Diego County. Johnson was named San Diego's Pro-Athlete of the Year by the San Diego Hall of Champions on January 31, 2007, and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders also proclaimed October 9 Jimmie Johnson Day. He is a former co-host of the weekly radio broadcast, "Not What You Expected", which he hosted with NASCAR journalist Marty Smith on XM Satellite Radio. They had numerous guests on the show including Major League Baseball player and Johnson's high school friend Marcus Giles, fellow drivers Brian Vickers, Matt Kenseth, and Jeff Gordon, crew chief Chad Knaus, singer and friend Nick Lachey, and others. In November 2009, Johnson signed a mini-series deal with HBO for a NASCAR based reality show, like the Dallas Cowboys did in 2008. Cameras followed Johnson from January 2010 up to the 2010 Daytona 500.^[4]

Early racing career

He began his racing career on 50cc motorcycles at the age of five years old. Johnson was successful on motorcycles at an early age, and by the time he was eight, he won the 60cc class championship despite injuring his knee with several races left in the season. From motorcycle racing he made the move onto four wheels and was picked up by Nelson & Nelson Racing. He went on to compete in several off-road leagues including SODA, SCORE International and Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group. During this time he was introduced to Herb Fischel who was the head of Motorsports at General Motors. During his time in the SODA, SCORE and MTEG series, he accumulated over 25 wins, 100 top-three finishes, six championships, and received Rookie of the Year honors in all three leagues. Johnson raced with Herzog Motorsports in the 1996 and 1997 SODA series. Johnson was a field reporter for Marty Reid and ESPN in the SODA series.

In 1998, Johnson joined the American Speed Association (ASA) circuit after having competed in only six stock car races in his life.^[5] Herzog hired veteran crew chief Howie Lettow, who had guided Tony Raines to the 1996 championship.^[5] Johnson finished fourth in the season points while picking up Rookie of the Year honors.^[5] During this time, Johnson also began racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, driving in three events. In 1999, Johnson continued to run in both the ASA and the Nationwide Series,^[5] winning twice and finishing third in the ASA point race. By 2000, Johnson became a full time Nationwide Series driver with Herzog Motorsports, finished 10th in the points standings and third in the Rookie of the Year standings. He won his only Nationwide Series race in 2001 at the Hills Brothers Coffee 300 at Chicagoland Speedway in his 81st series event. After a mediocre finish to his second year in the NASCAR Nationwide series, Johnson was teamed up with crew chief Chad Knaus.

For the 2000 season, Herzog Motorsports was in a dilemma after losing their sponsor, Alltel, to Penske Racing shortly after Roger Penske's son Gregory was named to Alltel's Board of Directors. During the driver's meeting before the Nationwide Series race at Michigan International Speedway, Johnson asked fellow NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon for advice. Gordon kept in touch with Johnson after the discussion, and a few months later, Hendrick Motorsports, on Gordon's recommendation, offered him a driver development deal with the potential of advancing in 2002. Gordon would become a share owner of the #48 team that Johnson would end up driving for in 2002. Johnson's pre-Sprint Cup career is also noted for a crash that occurred at Watkins Glen in 2000 when the brakes on his car failed heading into turn one. With his car running almost at full-speed, Johnson crashed head-on into the Styrofoam insulation and guardrail. Johnson emerged from the car uninjured.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career

Johnson qualifying at Auto Club Speedway

2002–2005

In 2002, Johnson started racing full time in the Winston Cup Series. In 2002 Johnson had 3 wins, 4 poles, 6 top-fives, 21 top-tens, and he led 838 laps throughout the season.The races he won include the Auto Club 500, the MBNA 400, and the MBNA America 400. Even though his statistics are good he still did not win the Rookie of the Year Award where NASCAR was wanting more consistent finishes. In the 2002 season he had 3 DNFs and finished 5th in the point standings.

For his 2003 Cup campaign, Johnson had three points-race victories: first winning the Coca Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway and later sweeping both races at New Hampshire International Speedway, the New England 300 and the Sylvania 300. His 2003 Cup season statistics include 14 top-five finishes and 20 top-ten finishes, with an average finishing position of 11.4. Johnson finished the season second in the points standings to Matt Kenseth. Johnson got his first and second wins in back to back weekends by winning The Winston on May 18 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, both at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

In 2004, Johnson started off badly but over the season he collected 8 wins, 20 top-fives, 23 top-tens, and he finished 2nd in the point standings. The races he won include the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400, the Coca-Cola 600, the Pocono 500, the Pennsylvania 500, the UAW-GM Quality 500, the Subway 500, the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500, and the Mountain Dew Southern 500. He also has 7 DNFs.

In 2005, Johnson stayed in the top five in the points standings all year, winning at Las Vegas, Lowe's Motor Speedway, Dover International Speedway, and then again at Lowe's Motor Speedway. In total, Johnson had four straight wins at his sponsor (Lowe's) sponsored track in Charlotte, North Carolina, and became only the second driver to win three consecutive races in one of NASCAR's majors (his car owner, Jeff Gordon, won four consecutive Southern 500 titles from 1995–1998, but that leg of the Grand Slam was eliminated in the Ferko lawsuit). Johnson had a chance to win the championship coming into the November 20 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but finished 5th in points after crashing at the midway point of the event with a tire problem. Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, and Mark Martin all finished ahead of the #48 Chevrolet. Johnson's 2005 Cup season statistics include 22 top-10 finishes with an average finishing position of 12.7.

2006–2010

In 2006 Johnson had a dream season, winning five races and receiving the Nextel Cup Series championship, his first of four. The races he won include the Daytona 500, UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400, Aaron's 499, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, and the Subway 500. In 2006 he also won the Nextel All-Star Challenge. His 2006 statistics include 13 top-fives, 24 top-tens, 1 pole, and he led 854 laps. In 2007 Johnson had 10 wins, 4 poles, 20 top-fives, and 24 top-tens.

Jimmie Johnson racing in the 2008 Daytona 500

The races he won in 2007 include the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, Kobalt Tools 500, Goody's Cool Orange 500, Crown Royal Presents the Jim Stewart 400, Sharp AQUOS 500, Chevy Rock & Roll 400, Subway 500, Pep Boys Auto 500, Dickies 500, and the Checker Auto Parts 500. In 2007 he would win his second consecutive championship. Overall he led 1289 laps in the season.

His 2008 season was once again a dream season with 7 wins, 6 poles, 15 top-fives, 22 top-tens, and the Sprint Cup Series Championship. The races he won in 2008 was the Subway Fresh Fit 500, the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, the Pepsi 500, the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, the Camping World RV 400, the TUMS QuikPak 500, and the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500. In the year 2008, Johnson only had one DNF which was during the Coca-Cola 600. In 2008 he tied NASCAR history by being the second driver to win three consecutive championships. In the 2008 season Johnson has a total of 1,959 laps led.

During his 2009 season Johnson had 7 wins, 4 poles, 16 top-fives, 24 top-tens, and he led a total of 2,238 laps.The races he won was the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500, the Autism Speaks 400, the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, the AAA 400, the Pepsi 500, the NASCAR Banking 500, and the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500. In 2009 Johnson had 2 DNFs, one during the Aarons 499, and the other one during the Budweiser Shootout. He made NASCAR history in 2009 by being the only driver to win four consecutive championships.

In 2010, Johnson hopes to add a 5th consecutive championship to his record streak. As of now he has 1 pole positions, 8 top-fives, 12 top-tens, 5 wins, 1068 laps led, and he has four DNFs which were during the Daytona 500, the Aaron's 499, the Showtime Southern 500, and the Coke Zero 400, the most since 2007. As of now he has won the Auto Club 500, the Shelby American, the Food City 500, the Toyota/Save Mart 350, and the Lenox Industrial Tools 301. He also won Tony Stewart's charity race, Prelude to the Dream, his first victory on a dirt oval.

List of all time Johnson wins

^†Non-points race

Jimmie Johnson/Sprint Cup Races

Career statistics

(Data as of August 21, 2010)^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation

Johnson launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in February 2006. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States. The Foundation strives to help everyone, particularly children, pursue their dreams.

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation supports charitable organizations that further the mission of the foundation. Current and past projects include granting wishes for children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation^[11], assisting the American Red Cross^[12] with disaster relief efforts, building a four-lane bowling alley for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses at the Victory Junction Gang Camp, and hosting a golf tournament in San Diego to raise funds to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Johnson’s home town of El Cajon.

The foundation’s signature event is a golf tournament held each fall and sponsored by Lowe's.^[13]

In 2007, 2008, and 2009, Johnson won at his home track, Auto Club Speedway, in a special Jimmie Johnson Foundation paint scheme.

Tony Pedregon, NHRA drag racer, has raced a Jimmie Johnson Foundation paint scheme at the 2009 event at Bristol Dragway. Pedregon's sponsors Quaker State and Herzog both have ties with Johnson.The Jimmie Johnson Foundation also runs as a sponsor for a race held at Phoenix International Raceway.

Other racing

Johnson has participated in off-road events, including the victory in 2002 Race of Champions with Team USA. He also appeared in the event in 2004. In 2006, Johnson was scheduled to race alongside Travis Pastrana at the event in Paris's Stade de France, but because of an injury he was not able to race. However, he still went to offer support as a consultant in dirt truck racing.

During the 2007 and 2010 season, Johnson competed in four Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series races. In 2007, he was teamed with Riley factory , whose drivers were Jim Mathews and Marc Goossens. During 2010, Johnson teamed with Jimmy Vassar, Alex Gurney, and Jon Fogarty in the GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing team.

Note:Johnson was not the only driver in Grand Am events.

References

External links

• Team Lowe's Racing: Jimmie Johnson's official web site
• NASCAR.com: Jimmie Johnson
• Jimmie Johnson on FoxSports
• The Jimmie Johnson Foundation
• Career statistics at racing-reference.info
• Jimmie Johnson at the Internet Movie Database
• Jimmie Johnson Video on FoxSports Video Archive