Bristol: Pedregon Racing news 2009-05-15

Tony Pedregon Racing To Feature Jimmie Johnson Foundation Scheme In Bristol; Two-Time Funny Car NHRA Champion and Three-Time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion partner to raise awareness for the JJF

Bristol, Tenn. (May 15, 2009) -- Tony Pedregon Racing announced its Chevrolet Impala piloted by two-time Funny Car NHRA champion Tony Pedregon will feature a Jimmie Johnson Foundation paint scheme in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at the Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn., May 15-17.

"I wanted to do something special and unique with our Chevrolet this weekend," stated Pedregon. "I know Jimmie and Chandra and appreciate the work they are doing for those less fortunate. I really wanted to do a charitable tie with the car this weekend and thought this was a unique way to bring awareness to some great causes that I feel deserve some attention as well."

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation was founded by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and his wife, Chandra, and is dedicated to assisting children, families and communities in need throughout the United States.

Pedregon and Johnson formed a friendship over the last few years largely due to the Herzog family. Stan and Randy Herzog were instrumental in helping Johnson throughout his early career, owning the teams that Johnson drove for in American Speed Association series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Johnson captured his first NASCAR win driving for the Herzogs in 2001 at Chicagoland Speedway in the Nationwide Series. The Herzogs have been a supporter ofTony Pedregon Racing for several years, serving as a primary sponsor as well as an associate sponsor throughout the season.

"This is an amazing gesture by Tony and his team," said Johnson, who will be competing in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race on Saturday at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Tony was kind enough to run a Jimmie Johnson Foundation decal on his Chevy for a few races last season and it generatedsome great awareness for our foundationandwhen he called me and suggested this, we weretruly touched. It speaks a lotabout the type of person Tony is."

In addition to their Herzog connection, Pedregon and Johnson share a connection with Quaker State which is the primary sponsor of Pedregon's Chevy Impala and is asponsor of Hendrick Motorsports and Johnson's No. 48 Lowe's Impala SS. Pedregon and Johnson also share relationships with Chevrolet and Mahle Clevite.

"Jimmie and I have a lot in common," added Pedregon. "We both grew up in Californiaand workedextremely hard to get to where we are today. We share a determination to succeed and are extremely thankful for our success and a desire to give back to those that are less fortunate. I see this as a starting point for some wonderful things that we can do together to make a difference."

-credit: pr