Johnson Set To Be Honored As Champion At Awards Banquet

POSTED: 3:03 pm EST December 4, 2009

Las Vegas, NV -- (Sports Network) - Jimmie Johnson will be honored for his record fourth consecutive championship Friday night at the Sprint Cup Series awards banquet at the Wynn in Las Vegas. Johnson became the first driver in the 61- year history of NASCAR to win four Cup titles in a row.

The remaining top-10 drivers in this year's "Chase for the Sprint Cup" also will be recognized at the season-ending ceremony, which is being held in Las Vegas for the first time after New York hosted the event for the last 28 years.

Comedian/impressionist Frank Caliendo will serve as the host, while Country music duo Brooks and Dunn will highlight the entertainment lineup for the banquet.

Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus and the No.48 Hendrick Motorsports team collected a total of seven awards during Thursday's National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers Award luncheon.

"We've been doing it right so far, but there's no guarantee it's going to continue," Johnson said. "We'll dig in over the off-season and try to come back stronger."

Johnson's teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., received the Chex Cereals Most Popular Driver Award for the seventh consecutive year. Bill Elliott and Richard Petty are the only drivers who have won the award more times than Earnhardt Jr. Elliott took the honors a record 16 times, followed by Petty with nine.

"I like winning this award because it is voted on by the fans," Earnhardt Jr. said. "It means a lot, and it's a compliment from the fans. It shows how loyal our fans are especially after the season we had.

"You look at Richard Petty and Bill Elliott, and I've always felt that if you win this award once, then you are in good company. I'm real proud of it. The fans have hung in there and gave me one heck of a Christmas gift."

Earnhardt Jr. finished a career-worst 25th in points, with no victories and just five top-10 finishes for the season.

Dale Inman, an eight-time champion crew chief in Cup, won the Buddy Shuman Award, one of NASCAR's most prestigious and longest-running prizes. Inman was a longtime crew chief for Petty Enterprises. He guided Petty to his seven Cup titles.

"You might not know it, but Richard [Petty] didn't make the trip here this time," Inman said. "It was a last minute deal not to come. His doctors told him not to come since he's a little bit sick. Where is he at when I need him? I've been riding his shirttail for about 60 years, but this is quite an honor."

The award, presented annually since 1957, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to NASCAR.

Longtime MRN Radio broadcaster Barney Hall received the NMPA Myers Brother Award. Hall, who completed his 51st year of racing coverage, was recognized for a lifetime achievement in radio broadcasting.

"Well as a little fish said when it slammed into a cement wall, 'Damn,'" Hall jokingly said. "It's great to win a trophy that's as old as I am. It's been around as long as I have."

Here is the complete list of Thursday's award winners from the 2009 NMPA Myers Brothers luncheon in Las Vegas:

Buddy Shuman Award - Dale Inman

NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award - Michigan International Speedway

NMPA Myers Brothers Award - Barney Hall

Chex Cereals Most Popular Driver Award - Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Raybestos Rookie of the Year Award - Joey Logano

DirecTV Crew Chief of the Year Award - Darian Grubb

Dow Automotive Strategic Call of the Race Award - Jimmie Johnson

Moog Chassis Parts Problem Solver of the Year Award - Drew Blickensderfer

MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Year Award - Hendrick Motorsports

Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Award - No.42 team (Juan Pablo Montoya's team)

Mobil 1 Command Performance Award - Juan Pablo Montoya