March 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – What do you do after winning your second Daytona 500 race?  The Harlem Shake, of course!  View video of East County native and five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and his teammates shaking things up as they celebrate their latest victory: http://www.jimmiejohnson.com/cantina

Next up, Johnson will race in Saturday’s Nationwide Race at the Phonenix International Raceway.  Also this week, Johnson announced that Lowe’s has renewed its sponsorship.

“We've been together for this crazy ride, and I'm so happy we're continuing it together,” Johnson said, USA Today reported.

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, a hometown hero who grew up in El Cajon and Santee, wiped out on the second lap of the Daytona 500 tonight in a multi-car pileup.

Elliott Sadler hit Johnson’s car from the rear, spinning it into the wall. Other drivers including Danica Patrick, David Ragan, Kuirt Busch and defending champion Trevor Bayne were also involved in the collision. View a video of the dramatic smash-up:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQb6CJmSyfI&feature=player_embedded

September 3, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – President Barack Obama will honor East County’s hometown hero, Jimmie Johnson, in a ceremony at the White House next Wednesday.

Johnson will be honored not only for his record fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship, but also for the efforts of Johnson and NASCAR to “give back to their community,” according to a White House press release.

April 18, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -Teamwork is often a forgotten concept in a sport like stock car racing, where individual accomplishment gains the most attention. Jimmie Johnson didn't forget the concept at the Aaron's 499 race at Talladega Speedway Sunday, April 17. His Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., gave him a push at the finish, giving Johnson his first win of the season and 54th of his career. 

HOMETOWN HERO BECOMES FIRST RACE CAR DRIVER TO WIN PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Story and photo by Miriam Raftery

December 22, 2009 (El Cajon) –Jimmie Johnson of El Cajon, the only driver ever to win four consecutive NASCAR championships, has been named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. The only race car driver ever to with the award since its inception 78 years ago, Johnson received 42 votes from editors of newspapers that are members of the AP, beating out golfer Tiger Woods, NBA star Kobe Bryant, tennis star Roger Federer, Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt and baseball slugger Albert Pujols for the honor.

December 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Jimmie Johnson, the first driver in history to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, has donated half a million dollars to local schools. Johnson made several local appearances this week, including an event honoring him in Santee hosted by Lowe’s Tuesday night.

“We are most proud of you,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob, noting that Johnson grew up in East County and graduated from Granite Hills High School. “Besides the greatness you’ve achieved, you’ve given back to your community—you haven’t forgotten your roots.” The San Diego County Board of Supervisors named December 1st “Jimmie Johnson” day in his honor.