Jimmie Johnson to Wear the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope at Kentucky

Fund Raising Visor Auction closes on July 20, 2018

In 2014, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Wellness Challenge (JJFWC) was born. The JJFWC is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States. Since inception, the foundation has raised more than $400,000 for K-12 public education.

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson will highlight the Jimmie Johnson Foundation this weekend during the Quaker State 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. In addition to wearing the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope, which honors five charities working to improve K-12 public education, a special Jimmie Johnson Foundation (JJF) paint scheme will be featured on his No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet

"I'm thrilled to be able to share and celebrate the work of the Foundation this weekend," said Johnson. "Chandra (wife) and I are so grateful to Lowe's for allowing us to run the Foundation paint scheme for the thirteenth time, Blue Bunny for sponsoring the Helmet of Hope program again this year, and all of the drivers participating in the visor campaign. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our partners and the NASCAR community, we are able to provide much needed financial support to some outstanding non-profits and schools through Foundation programs."

The Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program allows fans and consumers across the country to nominate and vote on not-for-profit (501c3) organizations that support K-12 public education. Each of the recipients was also awarded a $25,000 grant and a Blue Bunny Ice Cream party.

This weekend @KYSpeedway is all about #TeamJJF! Thanks to @Lowes for generously allowing us to run the JJF Paint Scheme, @Blue_Bunny #HelmetofHope AND the JJF Visor Campaign. Pay close attention for ways you can help us support K-12 public schools. pic.twitter.com/UsEnj4iRZT

— Jimmie Johnson Fndn (@TeamJJF) July 13, 2018

As a show of support for Johnson's efforts to raise funds for K-12 public education, a number of his NASCAR Cup Series competitors will join him in displaying JJF-branded decals on the visors of their helmets. . At the conclusion of Saturday's 400-mile race at Kentucky, participating drivers will sign the visors. The signed visors will be available in an online auction to raise funds to support K-12 public education.

Participating drivers include:

• AJ Allmendinger
  
• Aric Almirola
• Alex Bowman
• Clint Bowyer
• Chris Buescher
• Kurt Busch
• Kyle Busch
• William Byron
• Matt DiBenedetto
• Chase Elliott
• Erik Jones
• Kasey Kahne
• Michael McDowell
• David Ragan
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
• Daniel Suarez
• Martin Truex Jr.

Click Here for Online Auction

Glad to support the @JimmieJohnson Foundation this weekend with the @TeamJJF visor strip on my helmet. I'll autograph the visor after the race and you can bid on it here: https://t.co/zrmtnxJLHQ. #TeamJJF pic.twitter.com/UgQUpZ6wEz

— David Ragan (@DavidRagan) July 14, 2018

Proud to support my teammate @JimmieJohnson by running the @TeamJJF visor strip this weekend. It’s awesome to see his dedication to K-12 public education though his Foundation.
I’m also donating my race-worn autographed visor for them to auction off here: https://t.co/vkNHzOkjzi pic.twitter.com/YC2pFVGEc9

— Alex Bowman (@AlexBowman88) July 14, 2018

Running the @TeamJJF visor strip this weekend to support @JimmieJohnson Foundation and the work they do with K-12 public education. I’m also donating my race-worn autographed visor for them to auction off – you guys can bid here: https://t.co/07ctToolmf. #TeamJJF pic.twitter.com/gwXwvmmJnH

— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) July 14, 2018

Running the @TeamJJF visor strip this weekend to support the @JimmieJohnson Foundation & the work they do with K-12 public education. I’m also donating my race-worn autographed visor to auction off. Bid here if you're interested: https://t.co/UaBGOuKYf1. #TeamJJF pic.twitter.com/Vk0jZqAIGw

— Aric Almirola (@Aric_Almirola) July 14, 2018

Running the @TeamJJF visor strip this weekend to support @JimmieJohnson Foundation and the work they do with K-12 public education. I’m also donating my race-worn autographed visor for them to auction off – you guys can bid here:https://t.co/vxhdZV7kBw#TeamJJF pic.twitter.com/7H7VYKO45D

— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) July 14, 2018

📣 This weekend, @chaseelliott is running the @TeamJJF visor to support the @JimmieJohnson Foundation and the work they do with K-12 public education.

The race-worn autographed #TeamJJF visor will be auctioned off – bid here https://t.co/giocoZr9Qz pic.twitter.com/icfHFIMjRU

— No. 9 Team (@Hendrick9Team) July 14, 2018

Proud to wear the @TeamJJF visor strip this weekend to support my friend @JimmieJohnson and the work he does with K-12 public education.

After the race, I’m donating the autographed visor for them to auction off. You can bid here https://t.co/OhCwVEDQHF. #TeamJJF pic.twitter.com/fetjAaQzHc

— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) July 14, 2018

Our four drivers will be representing @TeamJJF with these visors this weekend @KySpeedway as part of the #HelmetofHope program.

They will be signed and auctioned off following the race weekend! pic.twitter.com/lgzNPp93m2

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) July 11, 2018

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Jimmie Johnson - #NASCAR Driver

All About My Hometown Driver #Chasing8

Jimmie Johnson is one of the most accomplished professional athletes of his era. The only race car driver in history to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, he is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, sharing the all-time record with stock car racing icons Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

Johnson’s appeal goes well beyond the racetrack. He was the first athlete ever to co-host ESPN’s flagship news show, “SportsCenter,” and has been a guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “The Late, Late Show with James Corden,” “LIVE with Kelly,” “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America” and “Ellen.” He has appeared as himself numerous times in scripted series, including on Nickelodeon’s animated “Bubble Guppies.” An avid triathlete, Johnson has participated in NBC’s coverage of both the Olympics and Tour de France. In print, he has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated (twice), Men’s Fitness, Parade and TV Guide, among others.

Join @JimmieJohnson, @LanceArmstrong, @ghincapie & @ChristianVDV at JJF Fit Fest on Memorial Day - Monday, May 29! https://t.co/GXR5jKOHyj pic.twitter.com/78wuPGqcKn

— Jimmie Johnson Fndn (@TeamJJF) March 25, 2017

In 2006, Johnson and wife Chandra launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, which is dedicated to helping children, families and communities in need. It focuses on funding K-12 public education, primarily through the Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Champions Grant program. Grants have been awarded to 94 school projects located in California, Oklahoma and North Carolina, where the Johnsons grew up and currently reside. Grant projects include science and technology, health and fitness programs, trade-based programs, school improvements, language and literary programs, and the arts. The foundation raises funds through an annual golf tournament in San Diego and the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Wellness Challenge, a series of events held around Charlotte, North Carolina. To date, more than $8.8 million has been contributed to various organizations.

With the support of his family, Johnson’s racing career started on 50cc motorcycles at age five. Father Gary worked for a tire company while mother Cathy drove a school bus. With Jimmie and younger brothers Jarit and Jessie in tow, the family spent most weekends camping and doing what they loved – racing up and down the West Coast.

Growing up in El Cajon, California, just outside San Diego, Johnson was a motorcycle prodigy. At just 8 years old, he won the 60cc class local track championship despite blowing out his knee with several races remaining and finishing the season in a cast. From motorcycles, Johnson graduated to the Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group Stadium Racing Series, where he had even more success.

A 1993 meeting arranged by Johnson’s mentor, supercross champion Rick Johnson (no relation), proved fortuitous. While racing at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Rick Johnson introduced him to Herb Fishel, the executive director of General Motors Racing. The protégé lived up to his billing, impressing Fishel with driving ability and business acumen. Fishel kept his eye on Johnson that year and later helped him land with an off-road racing team.

Johnson seized the opportunity, spending the next few years driving buggies and trucks in off-road stadium and desert races. He also improved his ability to connect with fans and potential sponsors by reporting for ESPN in the Short Course Off-Road Drivers Association Series (SODA). In 1995, the work paid off in another way as Johnson met future car owners Stan and Randy Herzog while working in the series.

In 1996, Johnson began driving the Herzog brothers’ off-road truck. After two years, he was ready for the next opportunity and crafted a proposal for Fishel, who gave the owners and their ambitious driver a shot. In 1998, Johnson climbed behind the wheel of an American Speed Association (ASA) car for his first taste of pavement racing. His ASA victories opened the door for his move to NASCAR.

Johnson had success in the competitive XFINITY Series, running a full schedule for the Herzog family from 1998-2001. He racked up 24 top-10 finishes and his first career NASCAR win (Chicagoland Speedway) in 2001. But midway through the season he received news that his sponsor would not return and the team would potentially fold. Concerned for his future, Johnson boldly introduced himself to legendary NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon. The conversation would change his life.

.@JimmieJohnson and @JeffGordonWeb have both claimed nine wins @MartinsvilleSwy. pic.twitter.com/nOOqy5xWuW

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) March 28, 2017

Gordon explained Hendrick Motorsports was starting a fourth team, and Johnson was who they wanted to drive. In the following weeks, he had a meeting with NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Rick Hendrick, Gordon and potential sponsor Lowe’s Home Improvement. He signed with Hendrick Motorsports in September 2000 and began his NASCAR Cup Series career with a three-race schedule in 2001.

In the first race of his 2002 rookie season, Johnson, then 25, won the pole position for NASCAR’s premier event, the Daytona 500. As the full-time driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, he won his first Cup race in his home state of California in just his 13th start. Led by crew chief Chad Knaus, he finished his banner rookie season with three victories, four pole positions and an impressive fifth-place finish in the championship standings.

From 2002-2005, Johnson recorded a series-best 45 wins and an average result of 3.5 in the season-ending standings. In 2003 and 2004, he finished second in the title hunt.

Johnson opened 2006 with a dominating win in the Daytona 500 and didn’t look back. The season brought great success as he won five races, including the Brickyard 400 at historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After knocking on the door for four years, Johnson broke through to win his first NASCAR Cup Series championship and the sixth overall for Hendrick Motorsports.

At @MartinsvilleSwy, @JimmieJohnson has led 2,383 laps.

That's almost 1 out of every 5 laps he's completed at the track.

😲 pic.twitter.com/VoLpjqlNIz

— Team Lowe's Racing (@LowesRacing) March 29, 2017

What followed was one of the greatest championship runs in sports history. Johnson dominated the NASCAR circuit, winning five consecutive titles from 2006-10 and becoming the only NASCAR driver to win more than three titles in a row. He is the youngest driver ever to win five championships and accomplished the feat in fewer races (327) than anyone in history.

The 2013 season featured a sixth title run for Johnson, who opened the year with his second career Daytona 500 win. The victory marked the first for a new Chevrolet SS race car and kicked off a season in which Johnson scored six wins and led the standings for 28 of 36 weeks, including the final five.

The 2014 season proved to be a challenge. NASCAR made changes to its playoff format and the team was eliminated from contention after the second round. It was the first time Johnson finished outside the top 10 in the final standings. Despite the disappointing finish and the 11th place in the standings, the No. 48 team recorded four wins including its first win at Michigan International Speedway in 23 attempts. The team rounded out the season with 11 top-five finishes and 20 top-10s.

In 2015, Johnson and the No. 48 team compiled five wins, 14 top-five finishes and 22 top-10s. During NASCAR’s playoffs Johnson suffered a part failure at Dover International Speedway, locking him out of the final two rounds and ending his season in 10th place. That did not sit well with the six-time champions, so the No. 48 team set the bar high for 2016.

The 2016 season was one for the record books. When Johnson won the second race of the year at Atlanta Motor Speedway, he tied Earnhardt for seventh on the all-time wins list. Three races later, he won in California for his 77th career win, and, after a 24-race winless streak, he claimed victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway and then Martinsville Speedway. With the win at Martinsville in the third round, Johnson secured his spot in the finals at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In dramatic fashion, he started last and finished first, winning for the first time at Homestead-Miami and scoring his seventh championship – matching the record held by legends Petty and Earnhardt.

Now in his 16th full season with both crew chief Knaus and full-season primary sponsor Lowe’s Home Improvement, Johnson finds himself seventh on NASCAR’s all-time wins list. He is the all-time winningest Cup driver at California Speedway (six wins), Charlotte Motor Speedway (eight wins), Dover International Speedway (10 wins), Kansas Speedway (three wins, tied with Gordon), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (four wins) and Texas Motor Speedway (six wins). Johnson is the only driver to have qualified for the championship-deciding NASCAR Cup Series playoffs every year since its inception in 2004 and has averaged more than five wins per season throughout his career.

Johnson married Chandra Janway in 2004 and is father to daughters Genevieve and Lydia. Away from the track, he focuses on his rigorous and well-documented fitness regimen. An avid cyclist, runner and swimmer, Johnson has competed in numerous half marathons and triathlons, including a Half Iron Man where he placed 15th overall. He is also an avid snow skier and enjoys spending time in Colorado and New York City.

Source

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This was a first for me... a frustrating day for sure, bring on Martinsville.#NeverQuit #Chasing8 pic.twitter.com/qrIJ3dsh0M

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) March 27, 2017

#Win Jimmie Johnson's Chevy!!! (#NASCAR)

Purchase your ticket now - Just $48

Seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, and his wife Chandra, launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in 2006. To date, more than $9.5 million has been contributed to various organizations.

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States, with a current focus on K-12 public education. 

You can enter to win Jimmie's 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 convertible 3LZ.

Raffle Details

Get your tickets today for your chance to win a 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 convertible 3LZ! This brand new Chevy Corvette is a stunning vehicle with blade silver metallic exterior and black interior. It sports a supercharged LT4 6.2L engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, top of the line audio system and competition sport bucket seats.

Jimmie Johnson will personally hand over the keys to the winner in Charlotte, NC. Federal taxes will be paid by the Jimmie Johnson Foundation.

Raffle tickets are $48 each. Only 4,848 will be sold. Tickets are available from February 10 - November 20 or until we sell out. 

Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Jimmie Johnson Foundation’s current programs supporting K-12 public education.

Click here for Official Rules

Click Here To Purchase Your Chance To #Win

Yup - NASCAR Race Mom bought her tickets
I am going to win one of these one of these days!!!

Jimmie Finishes an Uncharacteristic Last Place

Six-Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Suffered Bad Luck at The Glen

Watkins Glen International's tight confines often leaves no room for escape when trouble occurs on the seven-turn, 2.45-mile road course. That is what happened to Jimmie Johnson during yesterday’s NASCAR Road Course Race, the ‘Cheez-It 355’. Johnson paid dearly for an early pit-road speeding penalty that put him in the back of the field.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. got loose going through Turn Five and spun nose-first into the guardrail. Then his car careened back onto the track directly in front of Jimmie Johnson. Johnson collided with Stenhouse's No. 17 Ford. In the ensuing four car pileup, Johnson was collected and his car sustained significant damage.

"The cars started checking up in front of me and they all moved out of the way and the No. 17 was sitting there, stopped," Johnson said. "I remember seeing a door number and I was so thankful it was the passenger-side door and not the driver-side door because I plowed him. I really hit the car hard. I was afraid that I might have injured him. Thankfully he's okay and everybody is all right."

Johnson who has four top-fives, eight top-tens; and one pole started the race from thirteenth on the grid. He brought his #48 Chevrolet home in last place.  While his last place finish at Watkins represented Johnson's fourth DNF for a crash in the past nine races - watch out for the #48 in the chase!

On a more positive note, Jimmie Johnson wore the Blue Bunny  Helmet of Hope during the race. The helmet featured five charities working to improve K-12 public education. Additionally, his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet featured a special Jimmie Johnson Foundation 10th Anniversary paint scheme.

"I am proud to highlight the great work of these charities on my Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope this weekend," Johnson said. "Because of the generosity of our amazing partners, Chandra and I have been able to support some incredible schools and non-profits in the 10 years since we launched the Foundation. We'd like to thank Lowe's for allowing us to run the Foundation paint scheme for the eleventh time and Blue Bunny for sponsoring the Helmet of Hope program again this year. We are so grateful."

---

Thank you for supporting @TeamJJF, 10 years and almost $9mm raised. #Grateful pic.twitter.com/n8w0ul7LAD

— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) August 8, 2016

2016 Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope Grant Recipients!

1. ArtWell (Philadelphia, PA)
2. Carlos Gilbert Elementary Parents! Teachers! Kids! (Santa Fe, NM)
3. Change for Kids (New York, NY)
4. Inside the Outdoors Foundation (Costa Mesa, CA)
5. Mercy Child Advocacy Center (Sioux City, IA)

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Giveaway - Beads of Courage Needs Your Help

The "Beads of Courage" is an outreach program for children with cancer. Beads of Courage helps children RECORD, TELL and OWN their stories of courage during treatment for cancer and other serious illness. Through the Program, children receive different colored beads each of which symbolizes their unique and challenging treatment journey. Their Beads of Courage collection serves as a tangible, visible symbol of their accomplishments during a challenging treatment journey.

This worthy cause is requesting your help. Your vote could be worth $20,000! Four time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson’s Foundation is offering the “Samsung Helmet of Hope." The winning charity will win $20,000.

Through the Beads of Courage Program, children coping with life threatening conditions received colorful beads each of which symbolizes the many treatments and procedures they overcome. Your vote can help provide the necessary funding to continue this noble work.

Vote Now and every day during the month of September. It is a very quick and easy vote. Not only will your vote help the Beads of Courage, when you post that you have voted in the comment section below, you will be entered to win a valuable, limited-edition, artist-created bead that is a replica of a bead that flew on the Space Shuttle!

Voting begins on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 3pm EDT and ends on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 5pm EDT.

You can vote once per day. The winner will be announced on Friday, October 1, 2010 at Kansas Speedway.

Want to win it!

One lucky reader will win the grand prize mentioned above; a valuable, limited-edition, artist-created bead of the winner's choice, that is a replica of a bead that flew on the Space Shuttle! (Up to $145.00 ARV)

Have some fun with this competition/contest and feel good about yourself helping support a worthy cause!

There are many easy ways to win. However, be sure you read all the rules so that your entry will be accepted.

Giveaway Guidelines:

Giveaway ends Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 5pm EDT. There will be one grand prize winner.

1 - Main Entry – You must complete this entry in order for the extra entries to count. You can vote once per day.

Go to the Samsung Helmet of Hope voting website, and vote for The Beads of Courage (on top of the list). Leave a comment that you have done so. (one time per day per voting device)

Extra One Time Entries

2 - Follow me on twitter – zwriter and leave a comment on this post with your twitter name. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your twitter name. (one time only)

3 - Follow the NASCAR Race Mom blog and leave a comment on this post with your blog name. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your blog name. (one time only)

4 - Follow Beads of Courage on Facebook – and leave a comment on this post with your Facebook name. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your Facebook name. (one time only)

5 - Follow Beads of Courage on Twitter and leave a comment on this post with your twitter name. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment with your twitter name. (one time only)

6 -You can earn five bonus entries:

Blog about this contest on your own blog with a link back to link to this contest. Please leave a link to your blog post in a comment.

7 - You can earn one extra entry per day:

Tweet using the words “Voted for The Beads of Courage-Jimmie Johnson Foundation Contest. win your own bead #nascar #contest http://tinyurl.com/2b37zot” then come back to this post and comment, leaving the link to your tweet (once per day)

8 - You can earn one extra entry per day:

Post about this contest on your Facebook Wall. The post must include a link back to this page. Copy your Facebook post into a comment below.

9- Unlimited entries.

Recruit your friends to vote for The Beads of Courage also and have them leave a comment. After they do, you can leave a comment that you recruited them.

*** Important - Each entry must be left in a separate comment.

***Off topic – generic comments (such as “hope I win”) will be disqualified from the competition.

Additionally,

1. Make sure there is a way for NRM to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger, you may leave it in your comment. NRM hates to have to disqualify a potential winner because there is not a way to contact that winner – I will need your email address to contact you, should you be the winner.

2. The winner will be chosen by Random.org.

3. The winner will be announced on this post and be notified by email; if the winner does not respond WITHIN 7 DAYS, another winner will be chosen.

4. NASCAR Race Mom not responsible for missing or incorrect contact information.