Nominated for 2023 Kickin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year Award presented by 51FIFTY
BAKERSFIELD, Calif., May 16, 2023 – One of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with 83 victories, an Indianapolis 500 start and – next month – a drive in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jimmie Johnson is without question among preeminent motorsports figures of the 21st Century.
But Johnson remains an all-star away from the track through his Jimmie Johnson Foundation, dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States. The charitable organization was founded in 2006 by the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and his wife, Chandra.
It currently focuses on support for K-12 public and charter schools in North Carolina, Oklahoma and California through its Champions Grant program. Since its inception, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation has contributed more than $13 million to public schools and non-profit organizations that align with its mission.
In 2022, the Foundation announced 18 school projects in North Carolina totaling $468,462.47. Champions Grants are awarded in the following areas: Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); language and literacy; health and wellness and the arts.
Since 2009, over $6.8 million has been contributed through the Foundation’s Champions Grant program to schools in North Carolina, Oklahoma and California.
The Jimmie Johnson Foundation is among five nominees for the 2023 Kickin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year presented by 51FIFTY. The Kurt Busch Foundation; the Kevin Harvick Foundation; Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation; and the Steve Mariucci Family Foundation also have been chosen as this year’s finalists.
The Award’s winner will be announced June 8, 2023 during the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s induction gala, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway. The Thursday night event will be held at Sonoma Raceway’s Turn 11 Club, as part of the track’s NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and NASCAR/ARCA Menards Series weekend.
Previous Award winners are Mike Curb (2021) and the Sonoma Raceway Speedway Children’s Charities Chapter (2022).
“Jimmie Johnson’s foundation has chosen to help meet society’s most basic needs – the improvement of the education of our children,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock/Car Motorsports Hall of Fame. “Jimmie has enjoyed the pinnacle of success in NASCAR and with he and Chandra have been extremely generous in sharing that success with future generations, especially in technology fields.
“The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is pleased to nominate his foundation as one of our five 2023 Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year nominees.”
The Knockin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of The Year award was brought to life by Carlos Vieira, a business man, an entrepreneur, a retired racecar driver, a father and a philanthropist. Carlos Vieira has spent years of his life living the madness, in which he has overcome obstacles and adversities throughout the years to become the success he is today.
And with that success he has been given opportunities to help others along the way. He founded the Carlos Vieira Foundation in 2010 and began the great works of helping families living with autism, mental illness and drug addiction, through programs such as Race For Autism, Race 2B Drug Free and the Race To End The Stigma campaigns.
Vieira captured all of this in his book Knockin’ Doorz Down, released in 2020, the real life story of breaking through the darkness of addiction and finding redemption. He continues to live this life of philanthropy and is actively encouraging others to follow suite. This award is a representation of that mindset. To put others first, to lift others up and to always do what we can to help when help is needed.
“Wealth isn’t just about dollars. We all have time, talent, and creativity, all of which can be used for positive change. Share your blessings in whatever form they come and to whatever level you have been blessed,” Vieira said.
About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:
The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was conceived in 2001 as a means of recognizing significant contributors and contributions to the sport of stock car/motorsports competition. The mission of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is founded to preserve history and heritage of the important role west coast stock car and motorsports figures have played in the sport’s development and continuation and to recognize, through annual enshrinement, of outstanding individuals and groups within the sport such as, but not limited to, designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media.
The Hall is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, dedicated to supporting a variety of organizations and groups from coast to coast. During its tenure, the Hall has raised more than $700,000 in the past five of its 22 years for youth, health and safety, hospitals, animal rescue, military and other charitable causes.For more information on the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame visit: www.WestCoastStockCarHallofFame.com
Media Contact:
Owen A. Kearns
okearns@bak.rr.com
661-342-2983
About 51FIFTY
51FIFTY is power! Power to overcome, power to persevere, the power to set your life on the course of success. When you’re faced with the challenge’s life throws at you, you focus and do what is needed to go beyond what is required. Stand up, stand firm, believe, make it happen and live through the madness, knockin’ doors down along the way!
51FIFTY represents the lifestyle we choose to live, to have confidence in ourselves, to not let anyone or anything stop us, to overcome all adversity. We choose to be who we’re meant to be. We help others with empathy, compassion and honor. We see a world that is destined for greatness when we lift each other up rather than tearing each other down.
We choose to help, focus on community and inspire those around us. We are 51FIFTY!
Contact:
Jason VanDusen
51FIFTY Enterprises
jvandusen@51fiftyltm.com
925-980-7673