_{*Quick Summary: The author discusses his work helping Jimmie Johnson’s charity efforts.*}

I’m so happy to be able to contribute to the Jimmie Johnson Foundation by helping with the “Ride of a Lifetime”. This event is very important to Jimmie, and raises money for many worthwhile charities. Every year, Jimmie offers the chance for ten donors to take the, “Ride of a Lifetime” as he chauffeurs them in the #48 Lowe’s car for ten laps around Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

My guys and I (mostly them) prep the #48 Lowe’s two-seat race car, work on it at the track, and assist riders in and out before and after their rides with Jimmie. A really neat event for a great cause!

I can’t help but go back in time to the first sponsor two-seater ride along event we ever did with Jimmie at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The event was a corporate function for high-ranking automotive executives. It was before he made his driving debut for Hendrick Motorsports, but after he was signed to drive for us. We had the DuPont #24 two-seater and quite a few VIPs. Jimmie was learning us, the car, and the people all at once. He still had his Busch Series uniform, so when one of the VIPs climbs into what looks like Jeff Gordon’s #24 DuPont car and sees a uniform he didn’t recognize, he was a bit startled. The gentleman climbed in, we got him buckled up and situated, then for the first time since he got in, he turned and looked at the driver, expecting to see Jeff, but dressed in a different uniform. As I was finishing up fastening the window net, the VIP turns and says to Jimmie – “HEY, you’re not Jeff Gordon!”, to which Jimmie responds, “No, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.”, and takes off, weaving back and forth on pit road as he left. I can only imagine what that poor guy thought! A hilarious moment that I’ll remember for a long, long time!

Photos from this year’s event:

Edited October 13, 2020 to add this video of different ride we did later with Angie Harmon, as well as another video below (I’m outside the car in a black shirt in both videos):