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NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion’s Week Day 2: Johnson Says Champion’s Week ‘Couldn’t Have Been Scripted Better’
And now, on to Las Vegas.
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet) completed his Southern California Champion’s Week visits on Tuesday. The four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion readies for three days of festivities that begin with Wednesday’s Chasers for the Charity Fanfest and roast beginning at 10 a.m. PT in the Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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Johnson is slated to be the guest of honor – or, better said, the one on the hot seat – when stand-up comic Kevin Burke, who currently stars in the Broadway hit “Defending the Caveman,” along with the champion’s fellow competitors turn up the heat by roasting Johnson in the name of charity at 1:30 p.m. PT.
“You couldn’t have scripted it any better,” Johnson said of this year’s Champion’s Week, being held for the first time in Las Vegas and offering fans and media in two states the opportunity to celebrate with the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. “I’ve definitely been able to work in a little more sleep,” said Johnson comparing this year’s event with his 2006-08 Champion’s Week trips to New York City. “Of course, when we get to Vegas that may change.
“It’s neat to hit different areas of the country and get the opportunity to visit with all of our great fans, which have supported me on this journey all along.”
On that note, Mayor Randy Voepel and the City Council of Santee, Calif., proclaimed Monday “Jimmie Johnson Day” as the champion’s latest accomplishments were celebrated at a homecoming party at a Lowe’s store in the San Diego suburb. The event attracted nearly 3,000 fans, Johnson’s family and former motocross and off-road legends Rick Johnson and Ivan “Ironman” Stewart.
Johnson, who grew up in nearby El Cajon, suggested that the community’s speed limits, currently 45 mph, be raised to 48. Voepel responded “we’ll work on that tomorrow.”
Day 2 of Champion’s Week consisted of an appearance at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana where Johnson had breakfast with and conducted a Q&A with 700 of the track’s invited guests. He also participated in several media functions. Johnson has won four NASCAR Sprint Cup races at the track including the last three runnings of its Pepsi 500.
Joey Logano (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota), meanwhile, made the rounds of Las Vegas print, affiliate and broadcast media on Tuesday. His interviewers included the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a KNTV (ABC) morning show and KVVU (FOX) news.
For Logano, the 2009 season was his one opportunity to make a good first impression.
“It’s really an honor to be the Raybestos Rookie of the Year. It was one of our goals this year and I’m glad I did it since I don’t get a second shot at it,” said the 19-year-old Connecticut native, who joined NASCAR Sprint Cup superstars Richard Petty, David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace and Jeff Gordon among winners of the freshman title.
“It was the opportunity of a lifetime to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Logano, who won once in 2009 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “It was really cool to jump into a car with a team that had success.” The No. 20 team won championships in 2002 and 2005 with Tony Stewart behind the wheel.
Logano also offered congratulations to Johnson on his fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup title. “It’s impressive to accomplish something like that. It makes me want to keep digging so I can try and beat him,” he said. Logano has a date Wednesday to fly with the U.S. Air Force’s famed Thunderbirds.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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