NASCAR teams up with Jimmie Johnson’s former sponsor for a heartfelt cause

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson’s longtime partner and sponsor, Lowe’s, partnered with NASCAR to aid in the relief process following Hurricane Helene. The renowned hardware chain based in Mooresville, North Carolina, funded Johnson’s ride from 2001 until the end of 2018.

Renowned journalist Adam Stern reported the news through one of his recent posts on x (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote:

"Lowe's, NASCAR and builders unite to deliver 100 tiny homes to hurricane-affected families by Christmas."

Jimmie Johnson announced his retirement just two years back and thus severed ties with Lowe’s. However, he never fully gave up racing. As per reports, El Cajon ran six races this year under the banner of Legacy Motor Club, a race team that he owns alongside commercial airline entrepreneur Maury Gallagher.

Lowe’s said they would help purchase 100 mini homes in Charlotte, for families in need. The aim of this $12 million project was to give each of these families a temporary home right before Christmas. Last Thursday, a NASCAR hauler delivered nine homes followed by 17 more on Friday.

Speaking of how the project came about, Julie Yenichek, senior director of community relations at Lowe’s said (via ABC 13 News),

“From a Lowe's standpoint, we said: 'Okay, if you can bring the builders, we can bring the products,' and so that's how we got involved.”

The effects of Hurricane Helene stretched from Florida to the Carolinas. The storm hit Florida with winds blowing at a record-setting speed of 140 miles per hour that ravaged several buildings, killed dozens, and flooded parts of North Carolina and Tennessee.

Jimmie Johnson on dealing with risks involving risky post-NASCAR endeavor

One of the things that Jimmie Johnson did following his retirement from NASCAR was to take on the challenge of open-wheel racing, or driving IndyCars, to be precise. It wasn’t anything like NASCAR, which he was used to.

Therefore, every time Johnson raced, his wife Chandra Johnson would get concerned. But she completely lost it when her husband’s car turned during the opening laps of an Indy race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Recalling the same, Johnson said, (via The High Performance)

“I guess on the opening lap obviously I was in the car and couldn't see it but some of my friends said she turned around and ran from the grandstands because we went by it like 230 – 240 [mph] on the opening lap and she's like I can't watch this and ran.”

But Chandra has been by Johnson’s side through thick and thin. Needless to say, she ultimately gave in, letting Johnson commit to IndyCar racing. But the NASCAR vet knew exactly what he had to do to not let his wife freak out.

“I was very smart though and I wouldn't let her come to any of the oval test sessions,”Johnson said. (via Newsweek)