Following his second victory in the ‘Great American Race’ driver Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus and owner Rick Hendrick inducted the No. 48 Lowes Chevrolet into the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours Building during Mondays annual Champions Breakfast. ‘The night was great’ Johnson said of the celebration. ‘We had a lot of fun in the infield. I think the security guys knew we were here and said, ‘Nice job celebrating, now you guys just need to slow down a little bit. “ Johnsons late night celebration might have gone well, but his immediate celebration after taking the checkered flag wasnt as successful. His burn out in the tri-oval grass actually damaged the front end of the No. 48 car that is now on display in the indoor Gatorade Victory Lane at the ‘World Center of Racing.” ‘The damage was pretty bad. Im not going to lie’ Johnson said with a laugh. ‘I just wanted to get a cool picture on the Daytona logo. I think every drivers goal is to get on the logo and do a burnout. I turned down and pulled it into second gear and thought I had the right angle to spin it off into the grass. As I turned in, the right front tire dug in. I knew instantly, when it grabbed the dirt, that I had a big problem. It just didnt go as planned.” Joining the five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion was long-time crew chief, Chad Knaus, who was unable to serve as crew chief on the team when they won the Daytona 500 in 2006. Knaus was sent home by NASCAR after the #48 car failed post-qualifying inspection. ‘This is a dream race; everyone wants to come to Daytona’ said Knaus. ‘I remember sitting on the sofa in the early 1970s, watching the Daytona 500 and wanting to be a part of it for years. When we won this race in 2006 that was probably one of my best moments as a crew chief. Unfortunately I wasnt here, so thats the bad thing. ‘To finally be able to be down here in Victory Lane with the #48 car and Jimmie and the rest of my guys, its a fantastic thing and Im honored to be the crew chief on this race team.” ‘(Chad) didnt get to call the race and he didnt get to experience the fun that followed’ said Johnson of the 2006 win. ‘Thats why Im so happy for him to have that moment standing there in Victory Lane.” There are many obligations that come with winning NASCARs biggest, richest and most prestigious race. After the Champions Breakfast, where Johnson and Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood III unveiled the logo for the 56th annual Daytona 500, Johnson left immediately to begin a whirlwind media tour. ‘(Winning the Daytona 500) was thrilling theres nothing like that moment’ Johnson said. ‘What follows winning this race is what happens when you win the championship; NASCAR owns you for a few days. Im not sure exactly of everything we have in store. I think we go to Charlotte today for some more media and then to Connecticut to ESPN; tomorrow is New York media. Im not sure what happens after that, but Im sure its going to be busy and Im just going to savor the moment. Theres no telling when this will happen again, so I want to enjoy it.”(DIS)
