The whirlwind officially began for 2006 Nextel Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson (#48 Lowes Chevy) on Monday, as he kicked off one of the busiest and most exciting five days of his career. The reason? NASCAR is celebrating its 26th annual Champions Week in New York City this week, marking the beginning of Johnsons year-long reign and the recognition of all the sports 2006 champions. Included in this weeks very busy and wide-reaching itinerary are national media appearances, activities with the other Nextel Cup Top 10 drivers and the crowning moment Friday nights awards ceremony. Johnson, who clinched his title in the series season finale last week at Homestead-Miami Speedway, arrived in New York on Sunday evening, where he enjoyed a welcome dinner with NASCAR and Sprint Nextel executives at the sports longtime Champions Week headquarters the historic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Its been a great journey for us, said Johnson. We feel like we were in contention last year and the year before to win the championship but came up a little short. In racing theres only one winner; one champion. To be a champion is so difficult to do.
Johnsons Monday began with his appearance on ESPNs Cold Pizza, followed by guest stints on radio shows and an early-afternoon appearance on FOX News Live. He also was scheduled for afternoon interviews with Forbes.com, XM Satellite Radio and Associated Press interactive. Johnson, who won his first Nextel Cup title in only his fifth season, hopes this weeks activities wont be his last as a series champion. I really feel we are coming into our prime as a team, he said. I am hopeful that as time goes on we can stay in that championship mindset and win a couple more.
Champions Week, Part II Jimmie Johnsons Champions Week gets busier as the hours tick by. Heres a quick glance at some of what the 2006 Nextel Cup champion will experience on Tuesday [11-28-2006]:
