SOAP BOX DERBY UPDATE

Jimmie Johnson Stars at Curtis Chevrolet-Kia Assembly Clinic

I do a lot better driving cars than building them,” said NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson who came to Curtis Chevrolet-Kia in Washington last Thursday to conduct an –assembly clinic” on Soap Box Derby (SBD) kits for inner-city kids.

Johnson nevertheless spent the better part of the afternoon working with and encouraging the kids on how to put together their wood and plastic racecar kits for the upcoming 65th running of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, which will be held on Capitol Hill by an act of Congress, June 17, 2006. It will mark the 25th anniversary of WANADA sponsorship and support by the dealer community in this consummate –All-American” event.

Johnson is NASCARês –youth initiative leader” and spokesman for the Levi Strauss Signature brand, an official partner of NASCAR and a title sponsor of the national All American Soap Box Derby. Levi Strauss Signature donated the 10 kits for the assembly clinic, and is a supporter of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, created this year by Jimmie and Chandra Johnson to aid charities that work with children and families.

–It was an easy deal, kids and racing,” said Johnson, explaining why he was participating in the SBD assembly clinic.

A former motorcycle and off-road truck racer who graduated to stock cars and then NASCAR, Johnson, 29, is the latest young –hot shoe” for the famed Hendrick Motor Sports Team. He finished 5th in overall point standings in his rookie year in 2002, and has twice finished second in point standings.

After his DC visit, Johnson headed south to Richmond International Raceway, where he drove his #48 Lowe’s Chevy Monte Carlo to a hard-fought 12th-place finish.

–The Soap Box Derby is a great thing for these kids,” said Curtis Chevrolet-Kia President Dudley Dworken, who hosted the clinic and is perhaps the Soap Box Derbyês strongest dealer advocate. –I raced in the DC Derby as a kid and never forgot the experience,” said Dworken. –It teaches youngsters good life lessons and itês just plan fun,” he said.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Barbara Pomerance at (800) 697-7574. For more information on the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby and photos of the clinic visit www.dcsoapboxderby.org.