Jimmie Johnson made Make-A-Wish Foundation recipient Dylan's wish come true at Phoenix International Raceway.

Johnson foundation reaches out to all in need

There is no way for Jimmie Johnson to fully describe the ways in which his life has changed since 1998, when he ran the first three races of his NASCAR career for Busch Series team owners Tad Geschickter and David Ridling.

Johnson was a General Motors prodigy back then, but he didn't have much to show for it other than an abundance of talent. Today, he is counted amongst the upper echelon of the sport's superstars, with wealth and influence almost beyond imagination.

	Credit: CIA Stock Photo
	"Chani and I both feel so lucky and fortunate with our lives ... I personally want to give back and make a difference." - Jimmie Johnson

Those who've worked with him in the past say that he's unchanged. Those closest to him says that he's the same person they've always known. Johnson himself insists that while his circumstances have most definitely changed for the better, it's sometimes other people who treat him differently.

"One of the biggest changes is just perception," Johnson said. "I don't think that I've changed in a lot of ways. Granted, life experiences change and I'm definitely not the guy I once was. I think I've changed for the better.

"But what I do see is that people around me change a lot. People start viewing you much differently than what you are. It's almost like the TV ingrains them in what you should be. Friends, family and fans have a certain view of you.

"At times, it's tough because there's a lot more to me than that 30-second pre-race interview, than whatever is witnessed while I'm on the track or in, at best, a two-minute interview if you win. There's a lot more to me than that. I guess that's maybe the toughest thing of it all."

Johnson's life has changed so dramatically, he and wife, Chandra, have been able to establish the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. According to the organization's mission statement, the foundation "is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States."

Some drivers -- Kyle Petty and Morgan Shepherd, to name two -- have dedicated their very existence to charitable efforts. Johnson's heart, it appears, is in the right place as well.

"The purpose [of the foundation] is to do good, to give back," Johnson said. "Chani [Chandra] and I both feel so lucky and fortunate with our lives and what we've been able to experience. I personally want to give back and make a difference. Between Chani and I, we're trying to support the areas where we each grew up and also the community we live in.

"Our foundation isn't a year old yet, but we did some great things last year. ... This year's also going to be a big year for the foundation, and trying to raise some more money to really focus in on the San Diego area, Oklahoma and then also the Charlotte area."

	MISSION STATEMENT The Jimmie Johnson Foundation is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States.  By donating to needy and worthy causes, the foundation strives to help everyone, particularly children, pursue their dreams.  •   Official Web site click here •   Victory Junction Gang •   Make-A-Wish Foundation •   Hendrick Marrow Program

The Johnsons' foundation has to this point worked with Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Hendrick Marrow Program. The foundation's mission statement goes on to say that its primary goal is "to help everyone, particularly children, pursue their dreams."

"We have a soft spot for kids," Johnson said. "There's so many important causes out there, but I think with children, they haven't had a chance. They're in an unfortunate situation. If it's a financial situation and being unfortunate there, to a disease or anything they might be faced with, they're so young and there's so much life left.

"I want to help them hopefully ... experience more of life. If they aren't able to be here for that long, with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, I want them to come in, spend some time, live out a wish and experience something they typically couldn't."

Johnson raced against Adam Petty in both the ASA and Busch Series ranks. When Petty's parents, Kyle and Patti, established the Victory Junction Gang Camp in his memory, Johnson knew he wanted to help. Backed by a $300,000 donation from Lowe's, Johnson's foundation is currently funding construction of Victory Lanes, a bowling alley on the grounds of the camp for terminally and chronically ill children.

"Our first project was with the Victory Junction Gang Camp," Johnson said. "They needed a bowling alley, so we've agreed to build that bowling alley for them. It should be done here shortly. ... With the Pettys and how great they are, my relationship with Adam and how amazing the camp is, there was a need and we wanted to make a difference. We felt that would be a great place for us to start with our foundation, to work with them and understand the charitable world."

The foundation's fund-raising goal for Victory Lanes is $600,000. Fans can help fund the Victory Lanes bowling alley by picking up a $48 limited edition coin, or a $15 T-shirt designed by the Johnsons. Associate sponsor Levi Strauss donated 10,000 shirts to assist in the project.

Jimmie Johnson is bringing Victory Lanes to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Fund-raising for the Jimmie Johnson Foundation evidently won't be a problem.

One of Johnson's ties from his red-carpet appearance just before the 2006 Nextel Cup Awards Banquet was auctioned for more than $1,000. A cap he wore after clinching the championship at Homestead went for $1,600. An autographed ticket to the event brought $400. Fans have also been able to bid on the chance to bowl with Johnson.

It's the surest sign that Johnson has arrived. Now that he has the kind of notoriety that he does, Johnson says that he's going to take advantage of the opportunity.

"Being in this situation, I really didn't think that my reach would extend that far," Johnson said. "But with the money we've been able to raise just on hats, the tie I wore to the banquet, passes from premieres that I go to -- things that are great collectors' items for the fans -- something that simple can really make a difference. It would be a crime if I didn't use this power or ability to raise money and do good."

It's hard for Johnson to pick out any one child from the Pettys' camp or the Make-A-Wish program who stands out because, in his mind, they've all been incredibly special.

"With the Make-A-Wish, for [children] to qualify to have a wish granted, there's a high chance that they might not survive the disease that they have, so I can't say there would be one who's more [memorable] than another," Johnson said. "They all pull at your heart. It's so gratifying to spend some time with the kids and watch them smile, and run around and forget about the disease that they have or the treatments that they're going through.

"We did something here at Hendrick Motorsports with a few kids. I had one child [who] had to stop his treatments for a week just to be able to be strong enough to travel from Wisconsin to North Carolina to have his wish fulfilled. To have him be at the race shop, sitting in the racecars, asking me questions and forgetting about his issues for an hour, there's nothing better than that."