Jimmie Johnson Foundation Golf Tournament raises over half-million for Champions Grants

EL CAJON, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2009) – For the third consecutive year, The Jimmie Johnson Foundation announced that funds raised from the 3rd-Annual Jimmie Johnson Foundation Golf Tournament and Dinner Auction exceeded $500,000. Proceeds from the event will stay in the San Diego area to fund the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grants in partnership with Lowe's Toolbox for Education. The Champions Grants will range from $25,000-$100,000. “We work hard to be sure the dollars we raise in different parts of the country stay in those areas,” said Johnson, who also was honored for his charitable work by former San Diego Charger Junior Seau on Tuesday afternoon. “I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to do in the San Diego area, and Chani and I can’t wait to see what the funds will do to help local schools. Once again we are blown away by the support of our friends, sponsors and the San Diego community.” NASCAR drivers Kurt Busch, Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray, Boris Said and Casey Mears, along with former NFL player Jason Seahorn, joined more than 130 other guests for Wednesday’s golf tournament at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego. A dinner and live auction were held the previous evening with comedian John Pinette as the guest performer. Johnson’s Helmet of Hope, which he will wear during Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Auto Club Speedway, sold for $27,000. “I rarely give away my helmets,” said Johnson, who will pilot the No. 48 Jimmie Johnson Foundation/Lowe’s Impala in this weekend’s event. “I typically keep the helmets I race, but this one was pretty special to a lot of people with all the charities featured. We took it to Victory Lane last year, and hopefully we’ll be able to do the same on Sunday.” Johnson, and wife Chandra, started the week with a special “block party” on Foundation Lane in Jimmie Johnson's hometown of El Cajon. Four homes were built in on this road with proceeds from the first two annual foundation golf tournament events, which raised more than $1 million combined. The owners were on hand to offer a tour of their homes to the Johnsons, and everyone marked the day with special handprint tribute in the cement sidewalk.