NASCAR's Johnson celebrates title in NYC
Jimmie Johnson honored at Empire State Building
Jimmie Johnson honored at Empire State Building
There is a feeling within the NASCAR community that Jimmie Johnson's accomplishments don't get the credit they deserve outside the world of motor sports.
Johnny Damon did everything he could to dispell that notion Tuesday. To acknowledge Johnson's fourth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup title, Damon introduced the driver to a throng of media and fans at the Empire State Building on what Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office declared Jimmie Johnson Day in New York City.
"To me, to be the only racer to win four straight championships, now that is a very amazing feat," Damon said. "We haven't seen that in baseball in a very, very long time. In NASCAR, it could be tougher. Every single week these guys are gunning for him. It's kind of like putting on the pinstripes."
On Sunday, Johnson drove his No. 48 Chevrolet to a fifth-place finish in NASCAR's season-ending race in Homestead, Fla. That was good enough to clinch his fourth straight title, something no other driver in the 61-year history of the sport has accomplished.
"There was nothing more special than Sunday. I've worked so hard to get to this point," Johnson said. "To accomplish what we have in the last four years, I'm proud of my team."
As Johnson and Damon posed for photographs, the Yankee free agent was more than willing to take a backseat to the best driver in the world, comparing him to Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps and Derek Jeter.
"For what Jimmie has done, to push to keep getting better, with the pressure he faces each week, that's why I am proud to be here," Damon said.
It may have been "Jimmie Johnson Day," but it wasn't one of relaxation for the driver. He appeared on "Good Morning America," "Good Day New York" and "Fox & Friends." And when he arrived at the Empire State Building, Johnson switched a ceremonial switch that illuminated the top in blue and yellow, the colors of his racing team.
"This is a great honor, to have a 'Jimmie Johnson Day' is awfully cool," he said. "To have the colors tonight of the race team up on the Empire State Building is something special and unique."
When he was asked how people should spend the rest of "Jimmie Johnson Day," he said, "If it were up to me, I think everybody should have the day off and be drinking margaritas."
