Chase is on for Johnson and Red Cross fundraising efforts

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 18, 2008) -- In response to Hurricane Ike, Lowe’s and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will be “Racing for Relief” at Dover (Del.) International Speedway this weekend to raise funds for the American Red Cross. Funds raised will help to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of Hurricane Ike and other 2008 hurricanes. As part of Racing for Relief, the Red Cross logo will be displayed on the deck lid of the No. 48 Lowe’s Impala SS. Lowe’s will donate $48 for every lap of the scheduled 400 laps that Johnson completes in the Dover 400 at the Dover International Speedway on Sunday. In addition, if Johnson wins the race, Lowe’s will donate an additional $4,800. Funds raised through Lowe’s Racing for Relief will supplement an existing $1 million Lowe’s donation to the American Red Cross. More than 1,575 Lowe’s stores nationwide are serving as official cash donation sites to benefit the American Red Cross relief efforts throughout the 2008 hurricane season. Lowe’s will match in-store contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to $250,000. Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe’s has raised more than $17.5 million for disaster relief. “It's been a devastating hurricane season, and I know there are so many people who need our help right now," Johnson said. “When we ran Racing for Relief in Indianapolis to help the flood victims in that area, we were able to get to Victory Lane. I just hope we can deliver again this weekend. I know this Lowe's (No.) 48 team will do everything we can to make that happen. The American Red Cross helps so many people, and it's the least we can do to bring awareness and help show our support.” Lowe’s first introduced Racing for Relief in April 2000. To date, the program has helped disaster-relief efforts for hurricanes, tornados and floods by raising more than $275,000. The most recent Racing for Relief efforts back in July 2008 raised more than $25,000 to help the American Red Cross with Midwest flood relief efforts. Anyone interested in making a donation to the American Red Cross may visit participating Lowe’s stores, donate online at www.redcross.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).