Johnson, Knaus, Hendrick look back at busy week

The first Champion's Week in Las Vegas culminated with the annual Cup Series awards ceremony Friday evening at the Wynn Las Vegas.

The week was a packed one for four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson, who started off the tour in his home state of California before coming to Las Vegas for the festivities that began with Wednesday's landmark photo shoot.

Monday

The celebration begins in the 2009 champ's hometown of El Cajon, Calif., as Johnson and his wife, Chandra, hand out nearly $1 million in grants divided among schools in California, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

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Tuesday

Day 2 of Champion's Week consisted of an appearance at Auto Club Speedway where Johnson had breakfast with and conducted a Q&A with 700 of the track's invited guests. He also participated in several media functions.

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Wednesday

Johnson took part in the traditional landmark photo shoot, hitting a number of recognizable spots along the famed Las Vegas strip. His day didn't end there. After the photos were taken, he dashed to LVMS, where his fellow competitors got a little payback for four years of domination.

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Thursday

As Champion's Week rolls toward the official crowning of four-time champion Jimmie Johnson on Friday night, the celebration continues to focus on the sport's many fans with a parade, a burnout on the strip and an awards luncheon.

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Despite the numerous appointments, Johnson said he enjoyed them all, and said this Champion's Week was completely different than his previous three that took place in New York.

"I think it was much more relaxed," Johnson said. "We didn't have to commute across town, getting around was much easier. I had a blast. Everyone across the industry just had fun together. We were hanging out with people from different teams across the sport every night. It was a lot of fun. This has been a much better experience."

Johnson said his trip home to El Cajon, Calif., on Monday was his favorite part of the week. He visited his old elementary school and the Jimmie Johnson Foundation donated a total of $922,000 in grants to schools in California, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

"Being at my elementary school [Crest Elementary] and giving out the grants was the best part," Johnson said. "There are a lot of things on its heels as second-favorite, but that was the best."

Crew chief Chad Knaus echoed his driver's feelings on the week, and expects it to be even better in the future.

"Honestly, it's been a lot of fun," Knaus said. "Everything has been such a good time. And the more times we're here, the more it's going to grow."

Championship owner Rick Hendrick said it was certainly different in Vegas.

"In New York, you had more of the Christmas feeling because of the tree and the cold weather," Hendrick said. "But there's so much more room to do things here. And the guys on the team are excited to be more a part of the celebration."

This is Hendrick's ninth championship, meaning he's been a part of nine Champion's Weeks. It doesn't get boring, he says.

"You know what to expect, but it never gets old," Hendrick said. "The reality of the championship always hits me the morning of the banquet. It finally sinks in. When that happens, you realize it's so special. When I was young, I just wanted to go to Martinsville. I never dreamed I'd win races and championships. It's like growing up in Green Bay, and then winning the Super Bowl with the Packers. That's exactly how I feel. I'm very appreciative for everything I have.