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The long and winding road
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The sport travels all over the country from coast to coast to coast, running a lot of different events at a lot of different tracks under a lot of different circumstances. The team that can adjust to the ever-changing — and I use that word cautiously — environment of NASCAR always seems to come out on top.
That's been the story of Jimmie Johnson in the Nextel Cup Series all year long. He, crew chief Chad Knaus and even team engineer Darian Grubb had a real wake-up call early in the season when Knaus was suspended for the first four races. Grubb stepped in and did an outstanding job.
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Champions Week PHOTOS 
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It gave Knaus a chance to reflect on what an opportunity he had there, and it made him a much better crew chief. As his team won the Daytona 500 without him being there, it was a growing experience for Knaus. It was like Kevin Harvick getting parked him at Martinsville, and NASCAR calling Carl Edwards into the truck after he rammed into Dale Earnhardt Jr. following the Michigan Busch race.
It's funny how those conversations go when NASCAR calls you into the truck. I'm sure it probably is somewhere printed on the wall, but they read the: "You need us a whole lot more than we need you" speech. That speech can turn around a driver's attitude in a heartbeat.
The difference in the No. 48 team this year was Knaus' composure and his ability to sit on a hot pit box and sweat ice water. I saw him do it all year long, and I talked to him a number of times. He knew what he was facing going into the Chase, and even when they got behind, he didn't panic. He stayed focused and on task, bringing that team back. Knaus was my crew chief of the year, mainly because the No. 48 team won the championship.
I got to watch some of the awards ceremony, and NASCAR did a good job of shortening it up. It wasn't quite as long as it has been in the past. There's not enough emotion. I'd like to cut the drivers loose and let them speak from the heart, but I guess NASCAR has decided that it might make the program run a little long. I've always loved seeing the drivers' emotions. I'll never forget Jeff Gordon standing up there with tears running down his cheeks when he won the championship. I've seen other situations at other times like that as well where guys just let it all hang out. I've never seen an awards show that's very exciting. I love music so I would like to see a band and really honor the champion. Don't make him sit there all night as the last one to go up and speak. Everybody says, "Just get it done, and let's get out of here."
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Some people think the season is too long and races are too long, but what about that week in New York? You're there from Tuesday until Friday, but if you're handing out $25 to $30 million, you deserve to come to town and have your presence felt. I thought a lot of things that they did during Champions Week were certainly fitting.
Jimmie Johnson is a great champion. He and Chandra are a great couple, and they'll represent our sport well. I'm a big J.J. fan, and I like what he does. He's a perfect gentleman, on and off the track. I like his composure and the way he handles himself. I welcome him to the club. There aren't a lot of us. It's a small club, but when you get in it, you earn it and deserve it. I'm proud of him. He had a great season, winning Daytona, Indy and the all-star race all in the same year. And then he took home $15 million for winning the championship so he's definitely a hero of mine.
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