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Ahead of Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, the 700th career Cup Series start for NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson, Charlotte Motor Speedway honored Lucy Roach, a graduate from nearby West Cabarrus High School, as the recipient of the speedway’s 2025 Jimmie Johnson Scholarship.
In 2020, Johnson’s final season as a full-time Cup series driver, Charlotte Motor Speedway announced a $48,000 Jimmie Johnson Scholarship fund – a nod to the famed No. 48 machine driven by the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Each year for 10 years, the speedway awards a $4,800 scholarship from the fund to a qualified Cabarrus County high school senior pursuing a degree in fitness, nutrition or exercise science.
In the fall, Roach plans to attend the University of South Carolina to study Exercise Science and pursue a career as a physician assistant.
Among other accolades, Roach served as secretary of her school’s National Honor Society chapter, was a Junior Marshal and is an active leader in her church. Roach studied dance for 16 years, which she credits with teaching her the value of hard work and overcoming challenges, but also instilled in her lessons in taking care of her body. These lessons drove Roach to consider a career in exercise and sports science.
“I’m drawn to this career because it combines everything I care about — health, learning and helping people,” Roach said. “I hope to one day work with athletes or individuals who are passionate about living active and healthy lives, using my background in dance and my knowledge of the human body to make a meaningful impact.”
With eight points-paying wins (four Coca-Cola 600 triumphs and four Bank of America 500 wins) as well as four All-Star Race victories, Johnson is the winningest NASCAR Cup Series driver in Charlotte Motor Speedway’s storied history. Beyond his success on the track, Johnson and his wife, Chandra, have been devoted philanthropists. In 2006, the couple launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation to help children, families and communities in need. In the years since, the foundation has awarded more than $13.3 million to support K-12 public schools, as well as grassroots and national nonprofit organizations.
That same passion for helping children helped drive the speedway’s creation of a Jimmie Johnson Scholarship upon his retirement from full-time racing.
“Receiving this scholarship is a powerful reminder that the hours of work, the leadership I’ve shown and the passion I’ve poured into every goal have all been worth it,” Roach said. “This gives me the freedom to say ‘yes’ to internships, volunteer work, research opportunities and community involvement — experiences that will prepare me to become not just a capable PA, but one with heart and purpose. It will allow me to be more present, more engaged and more confident in chasing the future I’ve worked so hard to achieve.”
The scholarship is scheduled to be awarded each year through 2030.
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