CONCORD, N.C. – This weekend at Michigan International Speedway brings quite the trio for Jimmie Johnson.
A new paint scheme, a new helmet and a new visor – all for a cause.
Johnson will pilot the No. 48 Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet SS during Sunday’s race, and the fresh look was revealed Tuesday morning.
In addition, this week marks the return of the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope. The helmet features five charities working to improve K-12 public education.
This year, those charities are: Art Feeds in Fayetteville, Arkansas; Edu-Futuro in Arlington, Virginia; Mary J. Treglia Community House in Sioux City, Iowa; School on Wheels of Massachusetts in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts; and The Kids’ Reading Room in Houston.
Each of the recipients received a $25,000 grant and a Blue Bunny ice cream party.
“It is an honor to highlight charities making a huge impact on K-12 public education across the country on my Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope,” Johnson said. “(Wife) Chandra and I are proud to be able to support such incredible non-profits and schools through the foundation programs. We’d like to thank Lowe’s for allowing us to run the foundation paint scheme for the 12th time, Blue Bunny for sponsoring the Helmet of Hope program again this year, and all of the drivers participating in the visor campaign to raise awareness and funds for K-12 public education. We are so grateful.”
New in 2017 is a visor campaign – many drivers across the NASCAR Cup Series will sport a specially designed Jimmie Johnson Foundation strip on the visors of their helmets. Among the participants are Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Kasey Kahne, Chase Elliott and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
After the race, the drivers will sign the visors, which will be auctioned off to raise funds to support K-12 public education.
This Sunday’s race at Michigan is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.