Johnson does an extreme burnout on Day 4 of Champion's Week

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 3, 2009) – As the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week rolls toward the official crowning of four-time champion Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, on Friday night, the celebration continues to focus on the sport’s many fans. Bringing the event to Las Vegas has been a big plus in that respect, according to Johnson, who sees nothing but greater fan participation in future years. Click here for photos from the Johnson's fourth day. “The fan turnouts for all of the events have been phenomenal, especially for a first year,” said Johnson during Thursday’s events which included the annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards. “With the TV package, (fan) access to NASCAR is growing and Champion’s Week in the years to come can only get bigger and better.” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, in remarks during Thursday’s awards ceremonies, said, “We will continue to do everything possible as an industry to thank them for the commitment to the sport and to give them the kind of racing, personalities and excitement they expect from their NASCAR. “As we head into 2010, we will continue to focus on what’s most important – delivering the best possible racing to the fans.” During the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was named Most Popular Driver for the seventh time. Johnson picked up four awards, while his No. 48 team received three additional awards. The Top 12 Victory Lap Parade held Thursday afternoon under sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s drew thousands of onlookers as “Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton dropped the ceremonial green flag. Fans overflowed sidewalks at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Spring Mountain Road to witness what has become a NASCAR race winner’s signature “burn out” celebration performed by Johnson. Johnson formally accepts his 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship awards on Friday. He, his family and his Hendrick Motorsports team will participate in traditional photos during the afternoon, before attending the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony that evening at Wynn’s Las Vegas. SPEED will televise the event live from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. ET. SIRIUS NASCAR Radio and MRN Radio also will broadcast the ceremony live nationwide.