Jimmie Johnson Comments about Brother Jarit's Nationwide Series Debut

From www.scenedaily.com Jimmie Johnson’s younger brother, Jarit, will make his Nationwide Series debut in this weekend’s Kroger Race for the Cure 250 at Memphis Motorsports Park, as the driver of Fitz Motorsports’ No. 22 Dodge. And Jimmie Johnson couldn’t be prouder. The two-time defending Sprint Cup champion and this year’s leader in the Chase For The Sprint Cup said Jarit is “jumping into the deep end of the pool” this weekend. “I'm very, very excited for him,” Jimmie Johnson said on a media teleconference earlier this week. “I'm looking forward to him having a good race and going out and getting a shot. The kid has worked extremely hard to stay racing. He hasn't had the same fortune that I've had, and he's just been working his guts out to get his chances in racing.” Jarit Johnson has been racing regularly at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina and has competed in NASCAR’s Camping World East and ARCA series, too. All that while owning his own fabrication business as well. “He owns his own Late Model team and is racing it on top of running the business and being a father of two kids,” Jimmie said. “And he's just been working very hard. So I'm very happy for him. I'm also nervous for him because it is the Nationwide Series, but I hope he's in the show and gets out there and gets some good seat time and more than anything, has a good time and enjoys the experience. And then from that, I certainly hope for him that something else can come from it." Jarit Johnson has two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts on his resume, both in 2005 for Bobby Dotter’s team. “I have been watching Jarit for a while,” Fitz owner Armando Fitz said. “Despite being the brother of a Sprint Cup star, he has been working hard to make it in this tough game on his own merit. We met a few months ago and started talking casually. I was very impressed with his work ethic and his commitment and desire to race. I think Jarit will be a great fit for the team and our sponsors. I’m looking forward to working with him at Memphis.” Jarit Johnson said he simply wants to have a “good solid run” at Memphis. “I can’t thank Armando enough for giving me a chance,” he said. “I told him I just want to drive. I don’t care about becoming a millionaire or gaining fame. I just want to do what I love and that’s to race. I’ve always wanted a shot at racing in the Nationwide Series.”