Started out racing motorcycles… At the age of 5, Jimmie Johnson was already racing — even if it was of the two-wheel variety. He began racing 50cc motorcycles, and by the time he was 8, he won the 60cc class championship despited injuring his knee with a few races left in the season. He went from two to four wheels, starting to race in the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group (MTEG) Stadium Racing Series, picking up more awards. From there, he did some off-road racing, followed by American Speed Association (ASA) Series racing and, then, in 2001, he made his debut in NASCAR. Racer of the decade in NASCAR… Since his first full season in 2002, Johnson has rewritten the record books. Last year he won his fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title, the only driver to ever accomplish that in the sport’s 61-year history. Along with being named the AP Athlete of the Year in ’09 (the only race driver to have ever earned that honor in the nearly 80-year history of the award), the media voted him as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ driver of the decade. Not bad for someone who isn’t old enough yet to be eligible to run for President of the United States. And charitable to boot… In 2006, Johnson started the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, supporting charities that include Habitat for Humanity, Hendrick Marrow Program, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Victory Junction. Along with working nationally, the foundation focuses locally in El Cajon, Calif. (Johnson’s hometown), Charlotte, NC (where he and his wife, Chandra, live), and Oklahoma (where Chandra is from).
By the Numbers:
- Johnson’s foundation has contributed more than $3 million since its inception.
- He won 47 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races last decade, one less than his racing number.
- Back in November, he and his wife announced nearly $1 million in education grants for 2009, including nearly $350,000 for science and technology needs.
- His Sprint Cup Series career winnings have already surpassed $55 million.
- Each year since 2008, Johnson’s Helmet of Hope program allows fans and media members to choose 12 different charities to be featured on the racer’s helmet during a specific race, with each charity receiving a grant from his foundation.
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Photo by Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway via Flickr.