While the actual race at Sonoma Raceway is of importance, it’s not the only thing going on this weekend for the stars of the Sprint Cup Series. El Cajon, California native Jimmie Johnson is back in his home state and enjoying every bit of it. The six-time Sprint Cup Series Champion spent this past week in the San Diego area attending a bunch of different festivities.
One of the highlights was the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Golf Tournament, where Johnson and foundation were able to raise $650,000 that they will use to help families in Southern California, Oklahoma and the Charlotte (NC) area.
“We had a new venue at Torrey Pines and played their south golf course over there,” Johnson commented. “To have the views and the golf and the scenery and to know this history of golf on that course and watching some of those awesome battles myself, made that experience all the sweeter.”
Though earlier in the week, Johnson was honored back in his hometown by June 17th being named ‘Jimmie Johnson Day’ for all of California and being given a guitar to the city, as opposed to a key to the city.
“Just a crazy experience and fans were everywhere,” Johnson commented. “I couldn’t believe how many people showed up. It was just an awesome experience. I got up here yesterday relaxing and enjoying this nice warm weather. I’m looking forward to some left and right hand turns.”
Now with his focus shifted to the on-track action, Johnson is hoping to continue Hendrick Motorsports’ recent string of success as the organization looks for their sixth straight victory. Johnson says it’ll be a challenge as his team looks for the right set-up for his No. 48 Lowes/Kobalt Chevrolet that is easy on the tires. He added that it’ll also be a challenge, personally, in making sure that he’s patient with the car and he doesn’t “run the rear tires off of it”.
Johnson hopes to have that magic so he can score his fourth victory of the year and second straight following his win last weekend at Michigan International Speedway.
