Hendrick Motorsports

Fans nationwide currently can nominate the charity of their choice to be featured on Jimmie Johnson’s race helmet for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway in September. In addition, each selected charity will receive $10,000.

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation launched the 2011 Helmet of Hope program in Kansas on June 3 and announced the American Red Cross would be the first charity to be featured on the helmet. The American Red Cross was selected by the Johnsons to help raise awareness of disaster relief efforts in the wake of the recent tornados across the country.

“With what’s taking place in the Midwest with all the tornadoes and especially with what went on in Joplin very close by, we’ve elected to move up the Helmet of Hope program and get it started now,” Johnson said. “With that in mind, normally there are just 12 charities that are selected to go on the helmet to receive a donation from our foundation plus recognition of being on the helmet and we decided on a 13th with the American Red Cross and I’ve made a donation to the American Red Cross of $10,000 to help them with getting Joplin and many other areas back on their feet.”

A total of 12 other charities will be selected to be featured on the driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet’s one-of-a-kind helmet. Six will be chosen from fan submissions and six from those of media members.

Visit www.HelmetOfHope.org to nominate a charity. Johnson will select two charities each week beginning with this weekend’s event at Pocono Raceway. The program will conclude July 17 when the Cup series travels to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway event in July.