Johnson Donates Winnings
By Johnny McDonald

NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motorsports have donated their Atlanta race winnings, totaling $1.5 million, to assist Red Cross relief efforts in the wake of the recent wildfires.

Johnson, who grew up riding a motorcycle in San Diego's backcountry, also contributed after the Cedar Fire.

His donation is joined by sponsor Lowe's, Speedway Motorsports and Sonic Automotive chairman Bruton Smith.

The wildfire relief effort is especially important to the 32-year-old El Cajon native, who has witnessed the devastation of wildfires.

"I can remember a couple of times as a kid growing up and being evacuated out of the area," he said. "The most recent big fire (Cedar) that went through there took down the neighborhood where I grew up.

"Somehow, the home I grew up in was still standing, but homes surrounding it were burned down. This hits pretty close to home."

Johnson is a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet.

Johnson and wife, Chandra, spent time in the El Cajon area in August, hosting a celebrity golf tournament and charity events that raised over $500,000 for construction of new Habitat for Humanity homes.

"It's sad," he continued. "People lose everything they own, everything they worked for. This donation is our way of trying to make someone's life just a little bit easier. I hope NASCAR fans can help out the people as well."