LAS VEGAS – Just hours before he fired up his No. 48 Chevrolet SS for Sunday's race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Jimmie Johnson handed a family the keys to a new life.
Johnson teamed up with Lowe's and Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas to raise the walls of a new home at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday. He was joined by No. 48 team spotter Earl Barban and crew members Calvin Teague, Ryan Patton and RJ Barnette along with more than 100 Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers.
On Sunday, he officially handed over the keys to the home.
"I just had a chance to meet the family and their five daughters," Johnson said. "They are so happy. I had a hard time looking them in the eyes because they would start to tear up. Of course it catches my emotions as well."
Johnson, the members of the No. 48 team and other Lowe's and Habitat for Humanity volunteers framed the home, which will be transferred from the speedway to Henderson, Nevada.
"It's so moving to meet the family and see their excitement," Johnson said. "It helps pull your mind into their situation. I think they were in a two-bedroom apartment with seven people. I just can't even imagine that. So, to have a home that can adequately suit them and provide for them; and then they don't have to worry about it, financially. So, the opportunity it gives this family, a wonderful family, is just awesome."
Another goal of the build was to encourage race fans to sign up for future Habitat builds.
"Amazing things happen when people come together," said Meg Delor, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas. "We're so grateful to have the support of Lowe's and Jimmie Johnson to help us build this home and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing throughout Southern Nevada."
Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas is partnering with the city of Henderson to improve Henderson's Pittman region through the construction of six single-family homes in the Eastside redevelopment area. The new construction brought the total number of homes Habitat has built in the region to 25.
"We're proud to help Habitat Las Vegas continue its transformational work in Henderson," said Doug Wokurka, Lowe's vice president of store operations for the West division. "We hope this extraordinary build inspires race fans to support Habitat projects in their own communities."
Lowe's has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for more than a decade to build homes and revitalize communities around the country. Since 2003, Lowe's has committed more than $63 million to Habitat and helped nearly 4,000 families improve their living conditions.
"I'm very honored to represent Lowe's and Kobalt week in and week out," Johnson said. "After 14 years of representing the brand, they continue to amaze me and do great things."