Nascar Sport

Johnson feasts with fans before heading to Vegas

And now, on to Las Vegas.

Jimmie Johnson completed his Champion's Week visits in Southern California on Tuesday. The four-time Cup Series 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.

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.
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Four-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson makes a new friend Tuesday during Day 2 of Champion's Week in Fontana, Calif.

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.

"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 champion. "I've definitely been able to work in a little more sleep," said Johnson comparing this year's event with his previous Champion's Week trips to New York. "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."

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."

• Joey Logano made the rounds of Las Vegas print, affiliate and broadcast media on Tuesday..

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 Richard Petty, David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace and Jeff Gordon among winners of the ROY title.

"It was the opportunity of a lifetime to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing," said Logano, who won once in 2009, at New Hampshire. "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 Cup Series 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.

Wednesday

The champion's Las Vegas celebration begins at 10 a.m. PT with the Chasers for Charity Fanfest at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Neon Garage. The free-admission portion of the event includes a red-carpet walk by the champion and other 2009 Chase drivers, car displays, live music, reduced-price concessions and a raffle drawing.

A Charity Roast of Johnson will be held at 1:30 p.m. PT in the speedway's Blackjack Club and is open to the first 300 people who respond (information at www.lvms.com). A $250 tax-deductible donation to Speedway Children's Charities includes a private reception with Johnson and Chase participants plus reserved seats and parking. The event will be shown on closed-circuit television in the Neon Garage.

Thursday

The annual NMPA Myers Brothers Awards event will be held from 1-2:45 p.m. PT in the Venetian Showroom at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. Johnson will be joined by the rest of the top 12 drivers in the 2009 Chase, plus Raybestos Rookie of the Year Joey Logano and other annual award winners.

Race fans will get to see Johnson and fellow Chase drivers participate in a Victory Lap parade in their show cars on Las Vegas Boulevard -- the city's legendary "Strip" -- beginning at 3:15 p.m. PT at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. "Mr. Las Vegas," Wayne Newton, will drop the green flag to start the event. The lap includes a pit stop and "burnout" at the Spring Mountain Road intersection before returning to the MGM Grand at 4 p.m. PT. Sirius Radio will carry live coverage of the Victory Lap.

Following the Victory Lap, fans will have the opportunity to have their questions answered by the Chase drivers at the NASCAR After the Lap presented by Tissot from 4:30-5:30 p.m. PT (doors open at 3 p.m.) at the MGM/Hollywood Theater.

The Official Partners of NASCAR now have the ability to utilize Champion's Week to culminate their fan-centric promotions (i.e. Unilever's Real Fan of the Year, Ford I Drive One promotion and Ask.com's year-long Trivia Challenge). This week, fans will be able to submit their questions via Street Tour, AFLAC Pit Stop and Twitter to their favorite Chase drivers and hear the drivers respond to those questions at this event. Sirius will broadcast the event live and NASCAR.COM will be producing Video on Demand.

The Tissot Watch presentation to the top 12 drivers will also take place at this event. From 7-9 p.m. PT, Johnson and other Chase drivers will join Tony Stewart at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino as he presents the third annual "Stewie Awards," live on Sirius. The event, which honors the best, boldest and funniest moments of the 2009 NASCAR season, will take place at the Rio's Masquerade Village and is open to the public.

Friday

Johnson formally accepts his Cup Series championship awards. He, his family and his Hendrick Motorsports team will participate in traditional photos during the afternoon, before attending the awards ceremony that evening at Wynn's Las Vegas. SPEED will televise the event live from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. ET.

Sirius and MRN also will broadcast the ceremony live.