Ahead of Sunday's 67th running of the Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway has selected Paige Woosley, a 2026 graduate from local Cox Mill High School, as the recipient of this year’s Jimmie Johnson Scholarship.
Created during Johnson's final full-time NASCAR Cup Series season in 2020, the scholarship honors the NASCAR Hall of Famer's impact both on and off the racetrack. Each year, Charlotte Motor Speedway awards a $4,800 scholarship to a Cabarrus County high school senior pursuing a degree in fitness, nutrition or exercise science.
“I’m just so grateful,” said Woosley. “I got the call while I was at work and was just so surprised and beyond grateful, I didn’t have words. It was amazing.”
This fall, Woosley will attend the University of South Carolina, where she plans to major in Exercise Science on a pre-occupational therapy track with aspirations of becoming an occupational therapist.
Woosley's commitment to leadership, service and academic excellence made her a standout candidate for the scholarship. Graduating with a 4.52 GPA, she has been involved in numerous academic and service organizations, including Beta Club, National English Honor Society and Charger Ambassadors, while also founding Cox Mill's Elementary Outreach Club. Outside the classroom, Woosley has spent 10 years studying dance and currently serves as captain of the Cox Mill Dance Team, helping lead the program to multiple state championships and a national competition appearance. As one of triplets preparing to begin college this fall, she has balanced academics, extracurricular activities and family commitments while remaining focused on a future dedicated to helping others.
“I really want to be able to help people in a meaningful way and a career in exercise sciences allows me to do so,” said Woosley. “If people can do stuff that’s meaningful to their lives, and I can help them accomplish that no matter the barriers, that’s awesome.”
Johnson remains the winningest NASCAR Cup Series driver in Charlotte Motor Speedway history with eight points-paying victories, including four Coca-Cola 600 wins and four Bank of America 500 triumphs. Beyond his accomplishments on the track, Johnson and his family have continued to help direct more than $13 million through the Jimmie Johnson Foundation to support K-12 public education and nonprofit organizations serving children and families.
That same commitment to education and community service inspired Charlotte Motor Speedway to establish the Jimmie Johnson Scholarship following Johnson's retirement from full-time competition. The scholarship will continue to be awarded annually through 2030.
