| James Kenneth Johnson or Jimmie Johnson as he is | | | | won his first cup at California Speedway and went on |
| fondly known as was born on September 17th in El | | | | to win the MNBA Platinum 400 and the MNBA |
| Cajon, California. Johnson started out on two wheels | | | | All-American Heroes. He was runner-up for the |
| rather than 4 like most NASCAR drivers. He was | | | | NASCAR Rookie of the Year award. The next year |
| firmly attached to his 500cc motorcycle when he was | | | | he had three victories at Coca-Cola 600, New England |
| five years old and despite being injured when he was | | | | 300 and the Sylvania 300.2004 was on a slow start at |
| 8, he went on to win the 60cc class championship | | | | first but he did manage a win at the Carolina Dodge |
| although he could not complete the last few races in | | | | Dealers 400, Coca-Cola 600 and Pocono 500 was |
| the season because of his knee. This paved the way | | | | paving the way for the Cahse for the Cup race but |
| of determination that was strong within Johnson. | | | | because he did not fare as well in Talladega and |
| Johnson went on to compete in the Mickey Thompson | | | | Kansas. He did however emerge victor in the |
| Entertainment Group Stadium Racing series, SODA | | | | UAW-GM Quality 500, Subway 500 and went on to |
| and SCORE International. All together, he managed to | | | | win the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 . His win at |
| take back with him 25 wins, 100 top-three finishes, 6 | | | | Darlington then made him the first driver after Jeff |
| championships and was crowned Rookie of the Year | | | | Gordon to win two legs of NASCAR's Grand Slam in |
| for ALL three leagues. He also had a short stint as | | | | one season. |
| field reporter for ESPN during the SODA series. | | | | He brought back a whole lot more wins in 2005 with |
| In 1993, his mentor Rick Johnson introduced him to the | | | | top five points standing, four straight wins and became |
| Executive Director of GM Racing who then kept tab | | | | the second driver to win three consecutive races in a |
| on young Johnson's talent. He informed his off-road | | | | NASCAR major event. He was close to winning the |
| racing team to get Johnson to drive for them. Johnson | | | | final race of the season in Homestead-Miami |
| made the best out of the opportunity and learned all | | | | Speedway but could not pull it off because of a tire |
| he could about driving off-road and desert races. In | | | | problem. In 2006, Johnson brought back his first |
| 1998, Johnson decided to spread his wings and he | | | | Daytona 500. He also managed to win the final |
| joined the American Speed Association. He finished | | | | segment and a million dollar bonus in the NEXTEL |
| fourth that season and was given the Rookie of the | | | | All-Star challenge, second place in the Coca-Cola 600, |
| Year title. He started on to the Busch Series as well | | | | the Subway 500 and ended with a 9th place finish. |
| that season. The next year he repeated his presence | | | | Johnson and his wife Chandra Janway has seen |
| in the Busch and ASA races. He only managed to win | | | | many more wins in 2007 and are planning to see more |
| his first Busch Series at Chicagoland Speedway in | | | | in the future. When he isn't on the race track, Johnson |
| 2001. He was then recommended by Jeff Gordon to | | | | is helping out at his Jimmie Johnson Foundation that |
| join Hendrick Motorsports in 2002. | | | | was launched in February 2006. Their main aim is to |
| Johnson went on to win the pole at the 2002 Daytona | | | | help out children and families in need of help throughout |
| 500 with a 15th spot finish. He became the first rookie | | | | the country. Chandra helps manage the foundation for |
| to lead the series and finish fifth in points as well. He | | | | Johnson. |