Popularity of Rally Car racing propels ESPN X Games Rally driver Matthew Johnson into prestigious International Competition representing a United States entry - Team USA.

Matthew Johnson has accepted his invitation race on roads known to many on the World Rally Championship as Corona Rally Mexico. As a non-WRC year, the rally organizers have assembled national teams in a new format, Rally of Nations, and attracted rally stars from Finland, Spain, Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru and, of course, the United States.

Days before the Fourth of July, Matthew Johnson pours over his lists of to-dos. He s added the international Rally of Nations to his normal Rally America Championship and ESPN X Games rally calendar. While get ready to celebrate America s independence, Matthew has two cars and a service truck to watch over; a two car trailer to find, and pile of sponsorships to chase down for the X Games Rally competition just weeks after the Mexico event is over.

Johnson s crucial to Team USA, he s overseen every detail. He s found another co-driver as his normal in-car-partner is busy at another event. As co-driver, Johnson chose ESPN X Games Gold Medalist Chrissie Beavis; as a teammate, Cowboy Kenny Bartram, the winningest freestyle motocross rider gone rally just three years ago and as American as apple pie, and his cousin and co-driver Dennis Hotson. And as crew chief, Andrew Pinker, another former X Games Rally driver, this Australian exchanges his steering wheel for the clipboard and will supervise Team USA at Rally of Nations.

I didn t come to rally from somewhere else, I ve been here the whole time - rallying my way up from the bottom, said Johnson. Joining together to represent the United States in International competition is an honor. Racing against many of my heroes from across the globe is a dream. And, having the most popular Rally event in the US ESPN X Games just two weeks later is a bit of a stress, but our team is great and I am pumped to rally.

For more on Matt Johnson visit: www.matthewjohnson46.tumblr.com

Bill Lockwood photos