Jimmie Johnson prepares for another interview on his first full day in New York. Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Johnson's busy week kicks off with interviews

NEW YORK -- The whirlwind officially began for 2006 Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson on Monday, as he kicked off one of the busiest and most exciting five days of his career.

	Jimmie Johnson
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The reason? NASCAR is celebrating its 26th annual Champions Week, marking the beginning of Johnson's year-long reign and the recognition of all the sport's 2006 champions.

Included in this week's very busy and wide-reaching itinerary are national media appearances, activities with the other Nextel Cup Top 10 drivers and the crowning moment -- Friday night's awards ceremony.

Johnson, who clinched his title in the series' season finale last week at Homestead-Miami Speedway, arrived in New York on Sunday evening, where he enjoyed a welcome dinner with NASCAR and Sprint Nextel executives at the sport's longtime Champions Week headquarters -- the historic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

"It's been a great journey for us," Johnson said. "We feel like we were in contention last year and the year before to win the championship but came up a little short. In racing there's only one winner; one champion. To be a champion is so difficult to do."

RED CARPET AUCTION The NASCAR Foundation will have a Red Carpet Online Charity Auction for fans to bid on clothing and accessories worn by NASCAR celebrities at the Nextel Cup Series Awards Banquet in New York.  The auction will go live during the banquet on Dec. 1 -- so check back for more info.  •   NASCAR Foundation

Johnson's Monday began with his appearance on ESPN's Cold Pizza, followed by guest stints on radio shows and an early-afternoon appearance on FOX News Live. He also was scheduled for afternoon interviews with Forbes.com, XM Satellite Radio and Associated Press interactive.

Johnson, who won his first Nextel Cup title in only his fifth season, hopes this week's activities won't be his last as a series champion.

"I really feel we are coming into our prime as a team," he said. "I am hopeful that as time goes on we can stay in that championship mindset and win a couple more."

On Tuesday, Johnson has more national and New York media interviews, visits and a prime photo shoot at one of the Big Apple's Art Deco landmarks -- Rockefeller Center's observation deck, or, "the Top of the Rock." Later that night, Johnson appears on the nationally-syndicated NASCAR Live radio show on the Motor Racing Network.

The third annual Victory Lap -- a procession of the Top 10 drivers in their show cars -- will thunder through Manhattan on Wednesday, beginning at 44th Street and Broadway in front of ABC's Good Morning America studio in Times Square and finishing at 42nd Street and Broadway in front of ESPN Zone. Later, expect a photo shoot at Times Square's Military Island.

The NASCAR/National Motorsports Press Association Myers Brothers Luncheon at Cipriani on 42nd Street on Thursday will honor the Nextel Cup Top 10 drivers, champions from NASCAR's other series and all Nextel Cup drivers who win seasonal awards. Afterward, all 2006 series champions will gather for the traditional champions' photo shoot at Rockefeller Plaza.

Johnson and his team will pose for formal photos on New York's Park Avenue on Friday before attending several pre-awards ceremony receptions. Then, Johnson officially will be crowned Nextel Cup champion; the awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m. ET in the Waldorf-Astoria's venerable Grand Ballroom. TNT will air the ceremony at 9 p.m. ET.