Jimmie Johnson and Team Lowe's Racing head to Sonoma for their first road course test of the season. While Johnson only has one career win at a road course, the team has built momentum over the past month and will be looking to continue their ascent up the points standings, where they currently are 4th. Read below to see what Jimmie had to say about this week's race, as well as the events going on around the Jimmie Johnson Foundation's Charity Golf Tournament...

Can you talk a little about your golf tournament?

“We are excited for everything to come together. It is our big fundraising opportunity each year. It has been very successful over the years and this year is looking to be the same. I’m excited about it. There is always so much work leading up to the event and I’m looking forward to enjoying it. It’s a beautiful area, beautiful course, and a lot of great friends, family and sponsors all support it.”     

Why is it important for you and Chandra to give back to your communities?

“The golf tournament is our big fundraiser and, the money raised there, the majority of it goes back to the San Diego area where I grew up. Growing up in San Diego, and then where my wife did in Oklahoma, we know the need and know the need within the public school system. Everyone is so short on budget, there is a huge gap there. We know the amount we are able to donate, which we wish was so much more, that it goes a long way and is very helpful to these small communities. It really impacts a lot of kids in those schools and their families.”

What is the key to winning at Sonoma?

“A good qualifying effort is very important because it presents an opportunity for you to play the fuel strategy game. The race has really been decided by how many times you pit. If you can limit yourself to two stops, I think that is the race-winning strategy. It’s really tough to win with three stops. I think it all starts in qualifying.”

Do you enjoy road racing?

“I love it. I wish we had more of them.”

What are your thoughts about the trophy the winner receives at Sonoma?

“The trophy at Sonoma is awesome. I love the fact it’s a big wine glass. The year I won, I enjoyed the wine that they poured up in victory lane. Then, as I went out and celebrated that night, I stayed the night and had some fun with friends. I carried that thing with me all through San Francisco and it had a margarita in it with a salted rim, and it even ended up with a chocolate shake in it at a diner early the next morning. It’s one of the cooler trophies and I don’t think I’ve ever been able to take a trophy with me to the party, so that was a lot of fun.” 

Race Stats

• One win in 10 starts and no poles.
• Three top-five finishes (30 percent) and five top-10s (50 percent).
• Average finish of 14.7.
• One DNF (did not finish) in June 2002.
• 1,098 of 1,105 laps completed (99.4 percent) and 85 laps led.
• Sprint Cup’s sixth-best driver rating (94.1 average of a possible 150 points).

Race Info

• Practice 1 - 3:00 PM ET (SPEED)
• Qualifying - 6:40 PM ET (SPEED)
• Practice 2 - 12:30 PM ET (SPEED)
• Practice 3 - 1:45 PM ET (SPEED)
• Race - 3:00 PM ET (TNT)