CONCORD, N.C. -- They share the same last name and once raced side by side not long after learning to walk under the same roof. But these days their driving careers are about a million miles removed from one another.

So much so, in fact, that older brother Jimmie Johnson, the three-time defending Cup Series champion, recently implored younger brother Jarit to cease chasing his long-held racing dream.

“

As his loving brother, I didn't want to see him chase this so far and not put any money away for his family, his home, his wife and his kids. So I was discouraging him from racing.

”

-- JIMMIE JOHNSON

"I have tried to get Jarit to quit. I would even bankroll his business, if he would just quit racing and go run his business. But the kid refuses to quit," Jimmie told friends.

The fact is, at 30 years of age, Jarit Johnson no longer is a kid. His famous older brother is 33 -- and while Jarit is willing to acknowledge that Jimmie knows a whole lot more about high-level stock-car racing than he does, Jarit has no intention of taking big bro's advice on this one.

"It's just passion. We've been in it for years, and this is what we know. I have a personal Late Model that I run with a team that's all volunteers," Jarit said. "Jimmie has really tried to push me away from racing, but I just can't get away from it."

The younger Johnson not only isn't getting away from it, he's now planning to take some time away from his car fabrication and restoration business to go racing on a more serious basis. Assuming funding comes through as promised, Johnson has been tabbed to run a full Camping World East schedule this year for newly-formed Trail Motorsports.

"I just want to go out there and have success right off the bat," Jarit said. "It's a good series. [Former Cup driver] Steve Park races in it; [Joey] Logano came from there; Marc Davis [now set to compete in the Camping World Truck Series on a limited basis] raced in it last year. It's not easy."

Then Jarit Johnson should fit right in. Nothing has ever come easy for him in racing.

He ran one Nationwide Series race last year, finishing 32nd at Memphis while driving for owner Armando Fitz, who now is heading up operations at Trail Motorsports. In 2005, Jarit drove in two Truck Series races. He runs his Late Model car mostly at Hickory Speedway, where he has won several races. (Continued)