Johnson crowned as award ceremony debuts in Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- There were showgirls and comedians, musical acts and ventriloquists and neon lights. All the things that make Las Vegas famous were represented at the Sprint Cup awards ceremony. But for one night, Jimmie Johnson shined brighter than them all.

Johnson was formally awarded his record-breaking fourth consecutive championship on Friday night, in NASCAR's first postseason celebration in Las Vegas. Wearing a scruff of beard and a shawl-collar tuxedo, the Hendrick Motorsports driver was presented with a check for $6.6 million by Sprint chief executive officer Dan Hesse.

"I've always wanted to be respected for the work I've put into this sport," Johnson said. "And to receive this [Friday], and what I've done the last three years, is a dream come true for me."

Party Time

Spirits were high as NASCAR honored its top drivers for the first time in Las Vegas at the sport's annual award ceremony.

• Watch all the speeches
• The night in photos

Johnson's unprecedented four consecutive titles surpassed the previous mark of three in a row, which had been shared by the current champion and Cale Yarborough. At last season's gala, Yarborough made a surprise appearance to present Johnson his championship ring. Friday, Johnson stood alone.

"I'd be willing to give a donation to get Jimmie to retire," quipped Tony Stewart, who led the points for 13 consecutive weeks but finished sixth in final points. "Or at least take a vacation for five or 10 years."

Rick Hendrick, Johnson's car owner, was honored with the Bill France Award of Excellence, which was presented by Betty Jane France, widow of former NASCAR chairman Bill France Jr. Hendrick, now with nine Cup titles, was clearly touched by the award, to the point that he once had to halt his remarks and compose himself.

"My speech, I don't think I'll be able to do it," he said.

The best speech of the night might have belonged to Mark Martin, who returned to full-time driving this season and finished as series runner-up at age 50. Always popular, Martin still seemed awed by the number of new supporters he made among the older members of NASCAR's fan base.

"It seemed like every driver intro from the middle of the season onward," Martin said, "the ovations got louder and louder."

After 28 years in New York, most of them amid the stately grandeur of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, the banquet moved to Las Vegas. The setting could not have been more spectacular -- a massive ballroom at the Wynn, the stage and head table backed by alternating bars of blue, red and orange neon, spotlit banners honoring former champions and even the NASCAR logo impressed upon pats of butter.

"We really are proud to have you with us," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which spearheaded the effort to bring the event to the desert. Drivers seemed to embrace the new location.

"The change of scenery is welcome by all the drivers," said fifth-place finisher Denny Hamlin.

Appropriately, it was a festive and sometimes raucous atmosphere. Fans clad in the apparel of their favorite drivers crammed the lobby of the Wynn, and 300 watched the ceremony itself from the back of the ballroom, occasionally whooping it up. Country legends Brooks and Dunn opened the show with a rousing performance that included an appearance by U.S. servicemen. Comedian Frank Caliendo, known for his many voices hosted the event.

"NASCAR is a very exciting sport," he said. "The only place with better crashes? The White House. Or Tiger Woods' driveway."

But the night belonged to Johnson, who seemed ready to add another title to his growing collection. "We've won four," he said, "so let's see if we can win five."