MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- NASCAR’s 2009 Sprint Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson, began his week-long victory celebration with a fan-filled pit stop at Camp Pendleton, Nov. 30.
The El Cajon-native greeted hundreds of fans and signed autographs in front of Mainside’s Bowling Alley for Pendleton service members. Freestyle motocross stunts and a live music performance from the platinum-selling artist Saving Abel ushered in Johnson’s visit.
"Just being here is a privilege for us," said Jared H. Weeks, lead singer, Saving Abel. "It is our responsibility no matter what we do, who we talk to or where were going to support our troops."
Johnson now has four career championship titles, an achievement only Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Ron Hornaday and Richard Petty have attained. However, the 34-year-old Johnson is the only one in NASCAR’s 61-year history to have won all four championship titles consecutively.
"It has been a crazy four years and a lot more has happened than I could have ever imagined," said Johnson, who drives the number 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. "We do what we can week in and week out at the track to show our thanks and honor all the men and women serving the country with our prerace ceremonies."
NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion’s Week will conclude in Las Vegas with NASCAR Sprint Cup’s top 12 drivers taking a victory lap around Las Vegas Blvd. and NASCAR’s annual awards ceremony, Dec. 4.
Tony Stewart’s former car, Home Depot’s number 20 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport, was also staged at Camp Pendleton’s Marine Corps Community Services-sponsored event.
"I’d just like to say thank you to all the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country," said Johnson in his closing remarks.