Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR aid victims of super storm Sandy

NASCAR and five-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, along with Johnson’s team and one of his main sponsors, are helping send relief to victims of super storm Sandy.

Johnson, who’s racing for a sixth title this season, felt the impact of Sandy first-hand because the lower floors of his New York apartment were flooded and the building remained closed.

“So it’s impacted us in a small way, to many others in a much greater capacity,� Johnson told reporters Friday at Texas Motor Speedway, site of Sunday’s next Sprint Cup race.

Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports team donated $48,000 to the American Red Cross (Johnson’s car is the No. 48 Chevrolet) and one of his primary sponsors, the Lowe’s home-improvement chain, is donating $1 million to the Sandy relief and rebuilding effort.

Lowe’s said its donation would include matching Johnson’s earnings at Sunday’s race, with a minimum donation of $250,000 to the Red Cross regardless of how he finishes.

NASCAR also said it was accepting donations for Sandy relief efforts at its website NASCAR.com/Unites.

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