Full Throttle

Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will be the centerpiece of this week’s annual Champions Week celebration in New York City – a busy and joyful five days that marks the traditional end of each season.

The weeks event schedule follows:

Monday – Johnson and wife Chandra arrive in New York. That evening, he and Chandra will participate in the annual Champion’s Welcome Dinner in the Waldorf=Astoria Executive Kitchen, a gathering attended by NASCAR and champion team representatives and overseen by Executive Chef John Doherty.

Tuesday – Johnson will participate in another Champions Week tradition – photo shoots at New York landmarks. Later that evening, he’ll be a guest on Motor Racing Network’s NASCAR Live.

Wednesday – Johnson begins his day by ringing the New York Stock Exchange’s Opening Bell. He’ll also attend the Tissot Countdown Clock event at the Marquee of the Hard Rock Café, a March of Dimes luncheon, a media luncheon at Foley’s and the Sprint Media Celebration at the Sports Museum of America.

Thursday – Johnson’s major event this day is the annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Media Luncheon at Cipriani. He’ll be joined by the rest of the top 12 drivers in the 2008 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, plus Raybestos Rookie of the Year Regan Smith and other annual award winners. Following the awards luncheon, Johnson will participate in the traditional Times Square photo shoot outside the Hard Rock Café, then attend the annual Stewies Awards, orchestrated by fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart, at Sirius/XM Satellite Radio studios.

Friday – The Big Day. Johnson, 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 in the Waldorf Astoria’s Grand Ballroom.

NOTE: Friday’s award ceremony will be covered via a live blog by Charlie & Steve starting at 9pm Friday evening.