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NASCAR champion Johnson bags big money again
The only time the smile has left Jimmie Johnson's face this week is when somebody mentioned his upcoming appearance on stage.
- Associated Press
- Updated: December 02, 2007 07:14 AM IST
Read Time:3 min
New York:
There hasn't been much else to frown about for Johnson in 2007, a season in which he improved on most of his 2006 numbers on the way to a second straight Nextel Cup championship.
"I've been having a great time since I crossed the finish line at Homestead (two weeks ago), knowing that we had the championship wrapped up," Johnson said. "But every time I think about making that speech, I get a little bit of nerves and wish that part was over. We're not trained for that kind of stuff."
At least this time, Johnson managed to prepare the speech early in the week. Last year, the then-new champion kept putting it off because, first, he couldn't figure out how to get started and, once he did get going, he couldn't figure out how to cram all the thank yous into the allotted time.
"That's the hardest part of it," Johnson said as he prepared to step onto the stage at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel to collect another big payout. "You want to thank everybody who ever did anything to help you get to this point and, believe me, that's a lot of people."
Chandra Johnson, Jimmie's wife, understands her husband's nerves.
"He doesn't worry about driving a race car 200 miles an hour inches away from other drivers, but standing up there, in front of everybody, telling people how much they mean to him is tough.
"But you know, it means he's the champion, and he'll get through it just fine."
The banquet was highlighted by a tribute to Bill France Jr., the late NASCAR chairman who died in June at the age of 74.
There was a moving tribute by longtime TV anchorman and France friend Tom Brokaw, who said France, known to everyone as Bill Jr., was the "personification of the American dream."
Johnson will collect the winner's share of the huge season and points fund payout. He collected a record $15,770,125 (euro10,684,000) last year and came up just a little short of that this year at $15,313,920 (euro10,375,000), including $7,646,421 (euro5,180,00) from the season points fund.
That brings Johnson's career earnings to $59,531,336 (euro40,330,000).
There were plenty more big checks handed out, too, with the largest top 10 points fund payout in series history at $24,068,732 (euro16,306,000).
Series runner-up Jeff Gordon collected $10,926,687 (euro7,403,000), and raised his all-time leading earnings total to $93,300,213 (euro63,208,000).
Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick, who finished 10th, took home $8,861,128 (euro6,003,000).
The ceremony was the conclusion to a spectacular season for Johnson, who doubled his wins in his second championship season, jumping from five in 2006 to 10 this year. He had another 24 top-10 finishes, and raised his top-fives from 13 to 20.
His four straight victories during the 10-race Chase for the championship all but buried the chances of his friend and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Gordon.
Gordon wound up second in the points despite a record-setting 30 top-10s in 36 races and an average finish of 5.1 in the Chase. Johnson beat him with an average finish of 5.0.
The four-time champion, who also is co-owner of Johnson's car, was almost as happy as if he had won another title.
"You know, it's just been an awesome week watching Jimmie enjoy this," Gordon said. "Last year, he was sort of overwhelmed, and I certainly understand that. But this time, Jimmie can appreciate everything about winning the championship."
The only time the smile has left Jimmie Johnson's face this week is when somebody mentioned his upcoming appearance on stage at NASCAR's annual awards ceremony on Friday.There hasn't been much else to frown about for Johnson in 2007, a season in which he improved on most of his 2006 numbers on the way to a second straight Nextel Cup championship.
"I've been having a great time since I crossed the finish line at Homestead (two weeks ago), knowing that we had the championship wrapped up," Johnson said. "But every time I think about making that speech, I get a little bit of nerves and wish that part was over. We're not trained for that kind of stuff."
At least this time, Johnson managed to prepare the speech early in the week. Last year, the then-new champion kept putting it off because, first, he couldn't figure out how to get started and, once he did get going, he couldn't figure out how to cram all the thank yous into the allotted time.
"That's the hardest part of it," Johnson said as he prepared to step onto the stage at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel to collect another big payout. "You want to thank everybody who ever did anything to help you get to this point and, believe me, that's a lot of people."
Chandra Johnson, Jimmie's wife, understands her husband's nerves.
"He doesn't worry about driving a race car 200 miles an hour inches away from other drivers, but standing up there, in front of everybody, telling people how much they mean to him is tough.
"But you know, it means he's the champion, and he'll get through it just fine."
The banquet was highlighted by a tribute to Bill France Jr., the late NASCAR chairman who died in June at the age of 74.
There was a moving tribute by longtime TV anchorman and France friend Tom Brokaw, who said France, known to everyone as Bill Jr., was the "personification of the American dream."
Johnson will collect the winner's share of the huge season and points fund payout. He collected a record $15,770,125 (euro10,684,000) last year and came up just a little short of that this year at $15,313,920 (euro10,375,000), including $7,646,421 (euro5,180,00) from the season points fund.
That brings Johnson's career earnings to $59,531,336 (euro40,330,000).
There were plenty more big checks handed out, too, with the largest top 10 points fund payout in series history at $24,068,732 (euro16,306,000).
Series runner-up Jeff Gordon collected $10,926,687 (euro7,403,000), and raised his all-time leading earnings total to $93,300,213 (euro63,208,000).
Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick, who finished 10th, took home $8,861,128 (euro6,003,000).
The ceremony was the conclusion to a spectacular season for Johnson, who doubled his wins in his second championship season, jumping from five in 2006 to 10 this year. He had another 24 top-10 finishes, and raised his top-fives from 13 to 20.
His four straight victories during the 10-race Chase for the championship all but buried the chances of his friend and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Gordon.
Gordon wound up second in the points despite a record-setting 30 top-10s in 36 races and an average finish of 5.1 in the Chase. Johnson beat him with an average finish of 5.0.
The four-time champion, who also is co-owner of Johnson's car, was almost as happy as if he had won another title.
"You know, it's just been an awesome week watching Jimmie enjoy this," Gordon said. "Last year, he was sort of overwhelmed, and I certainly understand that. But this time, Jimmie can appreciate everything about winning the championship."
Topics mentioned in this article
Formula 1
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