Shortly after Jimmie Johnson clinched his second consecutive NASCAR NEXTEL Cup championship last weekend, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement congratulating Johnson and fellow California-native Jeff Gordon on an incredible 2007 racing season.

 

"On behalf of all Californians, I congratulate Jimmie Johnson on winning the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship, stock-car racing's highest achievement, for the second year in a row.  Jimmie's unparalleled talent and determination epitomize the Golden State's championship spirit.

"It was particularly exciting to see this year's championship come down to a fierce battle between two Californians, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, another local legend who was born in Vallejo.  California is proud to be home to so many world-class athletes who compete and triumph at the highest levels of sport."

 

Johnson, a native Southern Californian who grew up in El Cajon, CA, dominated the field for much of the 2007 season, visiting the winner’s circle a Cup-high 10 times, the highest total since Hendrick Motorsports teammate Gordon tallied 13 victories in 1998. Included among Johnson’s wins was the 2007 Sharp AQUOS 500 at California Speedway over Labor Day weekend, his second career Cup win on his home track

 

Johnson becomes the first driver to repeat as Cup champion since Gordon accomplished the feat in 1997 and 1998 and just the 10^th to earn that distinction.

 

As successful as Johnson was on the track, he might have made an even bigger impact away from it. 

 

In late October as wildfires ravaged Southern California, Johnson agreed to donate his winnings from the Pep Boys Auto 500 to support the relief efforts of the California Wildfire Relief Fund. That act triggered an outpouring of donations which ultimately resulted in over $1 million being donated to the fund.

 

Earlier in the season, Johnson and his wife Chandra, hosted a variety of fundraising events in the San Diego area that raised over $500,000 and included the construction of a Habitat for Humanity home in Johnson’s hometown of El Cajon.

 

While the season ended with Johnson hoisting another Cup trophy, 2008 is rapidly approaching and Johnson and California Speedway have again partnered on a ticket package that will give fans one of the best deals in racing and also assist a great cause.

 

Fans can purchase a Jimmie Johnson Foundation ticket package for $148 with $48 of the price going directly to benefit the Jimmie Johnson Foundation (www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org). The foundation is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need.

 

In addition to a race ticket in rows 11-23 for the Auto Club 500 on Sunday, February 24, fans will also gain admission to a question and answer session with 2006 & 2007 Cup champion Johnson, a pre-race pit pass and receive a limited edition Lucite stock car commemorating Johnson’s first-ever NEXTEL Cup victory at California Speedway on April 28, 2002.

 

A limited number of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation ticket packages are still available. To purchase tickets please call 800 944-RACE (7223).