Jimmie Kenneth Johnson (born September 17, 1975) is an American NASCAR

NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...

 Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's

Lowe's

Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...

 Chevrolet

Chevrolet

Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...

 for Hendrick Motorsports

Hendrick Motorsports

Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...

.

Johnson was born in El Cajon, California

El Cajon, California

-History:El Cajon is located on the Rancho El Cajon Mexican land grant made in 1845 to María Antonia Estudillo, wife of Miguel Pedrorena. In 1876 Amaziah Lord Knox , a New Englander who had recently moved to California, established a hotel there to serve the growing number of people traveling...

, and began racing motorcycles at the age of five. After graduating from Granite Hills High School

Granite Hills High School (El Cajon, California)

Granite Hills High School is a public, comprehensive high school located in El Cajon, California and serves students in grades nine through twelve. Opened in 1960, Granite Hills is one of thirteen high schools in the Grossmont Union High School District. GHHS is the home of the Eagles...

 he competed in off-road

Off-road racing

Off-road racing is a format of racing where various classes of specially modified vehicles compete in races through off-road environments.-North America:...

 series. He raced in Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group

Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group

The Mickey Thompson Entertainment Group was a sanctioning body for an American off-road racing series that took place inside stadiums. Some events were televised, including on TNN and ESPN. -History:...

 (MTEG), Short-course Off-road Drivers Association (SODA) and SCORE International

SCORE International

SCORE International is an off-road sanctioning body in the sport of desert racing and is famous for its flagship event, the Baja 1000 as well as the Baja 500 and San Felipe 250. SCORE races are held in United States and Mexico...

, winning rookie of the year in each series.