The White House announced Friday that President Barack Obama will honor NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, an El Cajon native, next week in Washington, D.C.
The White House event will come eight days after Johnson was feted in his hometown, receiving a key to the city and a custom Taylor guitar decorated with a large 48 -- the number of his car.
The local celebration for Johnson was in recognition of his racing accomplishments and philanthropy in support of education.
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The day after, he held a golf tournament at Torrey Pines to raise funds for a partnership between his foundation and the Lowe's Toolbox for Education
Members of Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports team will accompany Johnson -- who last year won his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup championship -- to the White House for Wednesday's event, set for 11:45 a.m. local time.
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—City News Service
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