(AP Photo/Cheryl Senter)
For Jimmie Johnson, races at Auto Club Speedway are bright spots in the schedule, both professionally and personally. The El Cajon, California native views the Fontana races as home races. Traditionally, the week prior to the fall race at Auto Club Speedway has been a busy one for Johnson, as he holds a variety of fundraising events for local and national causes.
Home is where the heart is
Johnson and his foundation hosted his third annual golf tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday. In the first two years, the event raised more than $1 million. The proceeds have benefited San Diego’s Habitat for Humanity and have funded the completion of four homes on Foundation Lane in El Cajon. This year, the funds will be distributed to K-12 educational programs in the San Diego area through grants, in cooperation with Lowe's Toolbox for Education program.
The event began with a dinner and an auction the night before the golf tournament. The live auction featured items such as a Jeff Gordon fire suit, Jimmie’s helmet, an Auto Club Speedway VIP package, and more. The goal was to raise approximately $600,000 through this year’s event. Juan Pablo Montoya, through Twitter, mentioned that the event appeared to great success, as did Brian Vickers on Facebook.
Cutting to the Chase
Johnson could not be happier to see Fontana replace Atlanta in the Chase. In California, Johnson averages a 6.2 finish with three wins, eight top-5s, and nine top-10s. His track average is nearly 6 spots better than his season average of 11.9 at the finish.
As the reigning race winner, Johnson returns to a beloved track that may not be the same as in years past. He has led at least one lap in every last season Fontana race, with only one exception - 2006. Last year, Johnson led 228 laps in a dominating winning performance, but Fontana on Labor Day weekend is a far cry from Fontana in the fall. The weather for Auto Club Speedway’s debut in the Chase is forecasted to be in the mid-80s, rather than the high-90s to 115 degree plus air temps experienced in recent years.
Many believe that the set-up in Kansas is critical for California success. Given the 48 team’s performance last weekend, with pit issues factoring into the finish, California could prove to be redemptive and prove the critical boost needed to move ahead of teammate, Mark Martin. Fontana is notoriously hard on engines, as Martin experienced in the Spring race at Fontana. Barring pit disaster or engine problems, Johnson should, yet again, be on the hunt for Victory Lane.
Johnson will be sporting his Helmet of Hope and driving the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevy this weekend. For those going to Auto Club Speedway this weekend, fans can join Johnson as he is inducted into the ACS Walk of Fame as well. Other ACS events include family oriented programs, food and drink options, entertainment opportunities, and driver appearances in addition to the Cup and Nationwide races.
Note: Janelle will be at the Auto Club Speedway beginning Thursday and will be Twittering at @SoCalMotorsport and posting to the NASCAR Truck Series Examiner Facebook fan page. Join in on the action in and around ACS as well as from the pits.
For more information on Southern California Motorsports, check out:
Jimmie Johnson, dog poo, pink tutus, and pompoms mae for an eventful day in Kansas
How did California's Nationwide drivers do in Kansas?
Jimmie Johnson goes to Kansas hoping to avoid Kryptonite (Hint: The reference is regarding comments by Mark Martin)
Jimmie Johnson takes care of uncertainty with the checkered flag
Janelle Jalbert is a fan of a variety of racing formats and equally enjoys the history of the sport. Janelle grew up in an auto mechanic’s family and swears that there is carb spray running through her veins. She can be reached via email for both comments and story ideas. You can follow Janelle as the Southern California Motorsports Examiner on Twitter as @SoCalMotorsport.
Janelle also serves as the NASCAR Truck Series Examiner. Feel free to join the discussion about the hard racing in the CWTS at the NASCAR Truck Series Examiner fan page on Facebook
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