NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson brings treats, smiles to kids at KU Hospital

Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson visited the University of Kansas Hospital Pediatric Unit on Tuesday to deliver a check from his foundation and brighten spirits.

Just in case his presence alone wasn’t enough to engender smiles, Johnson brought along a portable freezer filled with Blue Bunny Ice Cream treats courtesy of CEO Mike Wells.

“I wish I was here and there weren’t any kids in the hospital, but I’m happy to come by and visit and put some smiles on faces,” said Johnson, who is in town for testing at Kansas Speedway.

Johnson and Wells presented a $10,000 check from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and Blue Bunny to benefit the Pediatric Unit.

Next came an ice cream party with patients that included presents from Johnson, who won last May’s SpongeBob SquarePants 400 at Kansas Speedway and was the top qualifier for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

When Johnson asked the kids for their favorite racer, 4-year-old Jamie chimed in with Lightning McQueen, the fictional race car from Disney’s “Cars” franchise.

“He’s tough to beat,” said Johnson, who passed out tote bags with a replica of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS, a hat and a picture before going room to room for a visit with the children too sick to mingle with other patients.

Johnson also spent several minutes with each patient in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

There was no musical accompaniment, but Kansas Speedway president Pat Warren played the role of ice cream man as he wheeled the cart full of goodies from room to room with Johnson.

The three-race Challenger Round in the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. The circuit returns to Kansas Speedway on Oct. 18 for the Hollywood Casino 400, which serves as the second race in the Contender Round.

Johnson and 12 other drivers will participate in a Sprint Cup testing session from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Kansas Speedway. The test session is free and open to the public. Parking will be available in Lot 6 near Gate D with seating available in the Turn 1 grandstand.

Concession stands will not be open, but fans are allowed to bring coolers with food and drinks. No glass.

In addition to next month’s Sprint Cup race, Kansas Speedway also will host the ARCA Racing Series season finale Oct. 16 and the NASCAR Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 17.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 9:20 PM with the headline "NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson brings treats, smiles to kids at KU Hospital."