Johnson among nominees for the 2009 ESPYs

CONCORD, N.C. (June 25, 2009) -- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is among the world-class athletes nominated for The 2009 ESPYs. The ESPYs gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. Fans will determine the winner in 37 categories (excluding special awards) by voting online or via mobile phone. Voting begins today and runs through 11:59 p.m. ET on July 11, and the 2009 ESPYs, hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, will be televised Sunday, July 19, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN HD. A one-hour nomination show will be televised Friday, June 26, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Johnson, who tied a NASCAR record by winning his third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championship in 2008, is nominated in the “Best Male Athlete” category along with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and NBA stars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Johnson is among five nominees in the “Best Driver” category, along with Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton. The ESPYs honor ESPN’s commitment to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a partnership launched with the late Jim Valvano at the inaugural ESPYs in 1993.