Full Throttle

Thursday was proclaimed by San Diego’s Mayor as Jimmie Johnson Day as the NEXTEL Cup Champion made a triumphant return to his home State.

Johnson was at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park to be honored by city, county and state officials as well as the Hall, which selected the El Cajon native San Diego’s Pro Athlete of the Year. (image: LAURA EMBRY / Union-Tribune)

As expected at events of this type the press made it’s presence known and that gave Johnson the opportunity to opine on life as NASCAR’s defending champion, life on the Nextel Cup circuit, his future plans and the recent changes made to NASCAR’s Chase for the Championship