Jimmie Johnson is one of the most accomplished professional athletes of his era. The only race car driver in history to be named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, he is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, sharing the all-time record with stock car racing icons Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. He is the author of one of the greatest championship runs ever seen in sports and continues to break new ground with his accomplishments both on and off the track.

Growing up in working-class El Cajon, California, just outside San Diego, Johnson was a motorcycle prodigy. With the support of his family, Johnson’s racing career started on 50cc motorcycles at the age of five. At just eight years old, Johnson won a 60cc class local track championship despite sustaining a severe knee injury with several races remaining and finishing the season in a cast. Johnson spent the next few years driving buggies and trucks in off-road stadium and desert races.

In 1996, he started racing on pavement and competed in ASA as well as the now-NASCAR Xfinity Series. Johnson signed with Hendrick Motorsports in September 2000 and began his storied NASCAR Cup Series. He would span the next 20 years winning 83 points-paying races and a record-tying seven championships. The wins include two victories in the prestigious DAYTONA 500, four at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a record 11 at Dover International Speedway, nine at Martinsville Speedway, eight at Charlotte Motor Speedway and seven wins at Texas Motor Speedway. The 2020 season was Johnson’s final full-time season in NASCAR.

In 2021, Johnson switched gears to the NTT DATA INDYCAR Series to race for the 14-time INDYCAR champions Chip Ganassi Racing. Johnson competed in 13 events on the road and street circuits and his career best finish was 17th. Johnson returns for the 2022 season to contest the entire season racing on ovals, to include the historic Indianapolis 500.

Johnson married Chandra Janway in 2004 and is a father to daughters Genevieve Marie and Lydia Norris. Away from the track, Johnson focuses on his rigorous and well-documented fitness regimen. An avid cyclist, runner and swimmer, he has competed in numerous half marathons and triathlons, including the 2019 Boston Marathon where he finished 3:09:07 and a Half Ironman where he placed 15th overall. He also focuses time on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation which is dedicated to helping children, families and communities in need with a focus on K-12 public education, awarding grants nationwide to hundreds of school projects.