NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson lives his whole life in the fast lane. This three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion is a busy family man who is dedicated to changing the world. Two years ago he and his wife started the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, to help American children in-need and their families. Jimmie told us the main goal of the foundation is to help children “pursue their dreams,” just like he was able to pursue his dream of racecar driving.

Jimmie and his wife Chandra chose a few quality charities to work with, including Victory Junction Gang Camp, a camp for kids with chronic or life-threatening conditions. One of his foundation’s first steps was to build bowling lanes at the camp and he talked to CGG about how a simple activity like bowling can me meaningful to the campers. “I think sometimes you take for granted that you can just pick up ball and bowl, but for a child who is in a wheelchair it’s not that easy sometimes. One of the coolest things about Victory Lanes is that we built a small ramp so kids in wheelchairs could experience what it’s like to bowl.” Jimmie added, “It’s such a simple idea but one that you don’t see or necessarily think about unless you go somewhere like the camp.”

And here at CGG, we think it’s high time some athletes got in on the celebs-doing-good act, so we love that Jimmie was invited to be part of Athletes for Hope, an org dedicated to helping athletes in their efforts to contribute to charities and community efforts and inspiring others to follow suit!

Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong, Muhammad Ali, Tony Hawk and Alonzo Mourning are just some of the athletic all-stars who started Athletes for Hope and Jimmie is just glad to get in on the act: “It is a fantastic organization. My teammate and friend Jeff Gordon is one of the founding members. I was honored to be asked to join.”

But that’s not all, Jimmie dished on life on and off the racetrack, his inspiration, and what about that speeding ticket? Read more...