DRIVER SURVIVOR #5

In 2002, Jimmie Johnson arrived in the Winston Cup Series as one of the newest generation of drivers. Johnson wasted no time showing what he could do in the series, earning the pole position in his first Daytona 500. Johnson went on to win his first career Winston Cup race at the California Speedway, on April 28th, 2002. Later in the 2002 season, Johnson scored two more wins; both occurring at the Dover Downs International Raceway. Long before Jimmie Johnson arrived in NASCAR, he raced in many varieties of racing; including: Motorcycles, ASA, and other such divisions.

Here is a look at Jimmie Johnson:

Jimmie Johnson was born on September 17th, 1975 in El Cajon California. By the time he was only four years old, he began racing motorcycles. At fifteen years old, Johnson decided to move from motorcycle racing to automobile racing. In his early racing years, Johnson picked up six championships: Including the 1996 and 1997 SODA Winter Series Championship.

Two other series that Johnson has competed in were the SCORE Desert Series and the Mickey Thompson Stadium Series. In those series, he totaled twenty-five wins, three "Rookie of the year" titles and more than one hundred top three finishes. Everyone that had seen Johnson race knew by then that he was not just your average racer; he had a special talent unlike anyone else that he had raced against.

At one point, Johnson worked as a commentator for ESPN. Not only was he a commentator for ESPN, but he also was a spokesperson for the Chevrolet Division of General Motors.

In 1997, Jimmie joined the ultra-competitive ASA Series. That year he competed in only three ASA races and had some very bad luck. Johnson only scored one top ten, and posted two DNF's. Although his 1997 ASA series debut did not go as well as he had planned, Johnson decided to try once again; racing the full ASA circut schedule.

In 1998, Johnson once again tried his luck in the ASA Series piloting the #44 Herzog Motorsports Chevrolet. That year, Johnson did exceptionally well; posting six top 5's, and fourteen top 10's in his twenty starts. He also earned the 98' ASA "Rookie of the year" title. Johnson finished 4th in the overall championship standings. In 1998, Johnson also ran three Busch Grand National Series races.

In 1999, Johnson once again returned to the ASA ranks, piloting the #44 for his second full season of ASA racing. In that year, Johnson accumulated two wins, nine top five finishes, and fourteen top 10's. Johnson also earned three pole awards. Jimmie also raced in five Busch Series races for Herzog Motorsports in the #92 Chevrolet.

When the 2000 racing season arrived, Jimmie Johnson and Herzog Motorsports decided to make the big leap to NASCAR and run the full NASCAR Busch Grand National Series schedule. Johnson piloted the #92 Alltel Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Johnson's first full season in the Busch Series was not what the team had hoped it could have been; picking up no wins, no top fives, and six top 10's. Another disappointment that season occurred when Johnson failed to qualify for the first race of the season. But despite struggles in his
first full season of Busch Series racing, his second season would bring success.

In 2001, Johnson went back to the Busch Series for another full season; once again piloting the #92 Excedrin Chevrolet Monte Carlo. That year Johnson and his team had a pretty successful season, scoring one win, four top 5's, and nine top 10's. Johnson and team finished 8th overall in the championship point standings. Also in 2001 , Johnson made his Winston Cup debut at the Lowes Motor speedway.

In 2002, Johnson got an opportunity that no one could turn down; a chance to run full-time in the Winston Cup Series with team owners Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick. Johnson was offered the #48 Lowes Chevrolet. And so it was announced that Jimmie Johnson was to move up to the Winston Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports.

Johnson wasted no time in impressing everyone; by scoring his first Bud pole award for the Daytona 500. Although just a "Rookie of the Year" contender, it was clear that Johnson was going to be a favorite to win the 2002 championship. In only his tenth start, Johnson picked up his first win at the California Speedway. Just one month later, Johnson scored another
win at the Dover Downs International Speedway.

Throughout the season, the new Winston Cup rookie Jimmie Johnson had everyone talking. Picking up wins left and right, it became clear to everyone that Johnson wasn't just you're average rookie; he was running his races like an experienced veteran racer. In September of 2002, Johnson and the #48 team picked up their third race win of the season.

All throughout the 2002 season, Jimmie Johnson had been a championship contender; but in late September, Johnson took the points lead for the first time. But after an engine failure in the fall Talladega race, Johnson dropped out of the points lead, and never regained it.

When the 2002 season came to a close, Johnson and the #48 team walked away with a very successful season. Although Johnson did not win the "Rookie of the Year" title, he did post three wins, six top 5's, and twenty-one top 10's. Johnson and the team also earned four Bud Pole awards. As far as the championship standings go, Johnson did remain a strong championship contender throughout the season; but when everything was said and done,
Johnson walked away fifth overall in points.

For the upcoming 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup season, Johnson and the #48 team look to return to the series, and hopefully walk away the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup champions.

Jimmie Johnson Facts:
Birthday: September 17th, 1975
Hometown: El Cajon, California
Residence: Mooresville, North Carolina
Height: 5'11
Weight: 175
Marital Status: Single