Jimmie Johnson Biography

Birthdate: September 17, 1975
Birthplace: El Cajon, California

Just under a decade ago, Jimmie Johnson burst onto the NASCAR scene and has yet to look back. Follow this rising star's story from racing motorcycles as a California toddler to racing his number 48 Chevorlet in the Daytona 500.

Jimmie Johnson - California Dreaming

Jimmie Johnson always had a need for speed. As a child growing up in southern Calidornia, he began riding motorcycles at the age of five. A few years later, he was already cleaning house in competions. He eventually moved up to four wheelers, where he was competing in three different off road leagues. It wasn’t until he was 18 that Jimmie made the switch to cars.

Jimmie Johnson - Early Racing Years

In 1998, Jimmie Johnson had joined the both the NASCAR and American Speed Association (ASA) circuit. That year, at just 23 years old, he was named Rookie of the Year in the ASA and finished fourth overall in the league. He was also competing in the Busch Series - NASCAR’s second tier league. Jimmie Johnson won only one Busch Series race, and that was at the Hills Brothers Coffee 300 in 2001.

Jimmie Johnson - Graduating to the NEXTEL Cup

Jimmy Johnson was a solid, but not spectacular, competitor when he was racing in the Busch Series. When he moved up to the NEXTEL Cup in 2002, he shocked everybody with his 15th place finish at the ultra-competitive Daytona 500. From that point on, Johnson kept climbing up the ranks. He is the only driver in history to be in the top five, in each of his first five seasons. Johnson made history in 2006 by being the only driver to win the Allstate 400, the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship all in the same year. He is averaging an incredible 4.5 victories a season, which is second amongst active players.

Jimmie Johnson - Did U Know?

Jimmie Johnson’s Chevorlet car number is 48 and is part of Henrick Motorsports which is owned by his teammate Jeff Gordon.

Jimmie Johnson stays true to his San Diego roots. He is still a big San Diego Chargers and Padres fan.

Jimmie Johnson hosts a weekly radio show on XM Satellite Radio called Not What You Expected.

On February 1, 2007, it was proclaimed “Jimmie Johnson Day” in the city of San Diego.

His favorite TV shows are Friends and That 70’s Show.

Jimmie Johnson Says...

"When I won my first race, it was the ultimate feeling at that point. But two days from then, you wake up and you're like, 'All right. I've got to do it again.' "

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