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CONCORD, N.C. - The 2010 NASCAR season hasn't started yet and Jimmie Johnson is already another four-time champion.
Johnson on Sunday was named the winner of the National Motorsports Press Association's Richard Petty Driver of the Year Award, the fourth time Johnson has won the award.
The late Dale Earnhardt holds the record having won the award fives times during his career. The award has been given annually since 1969.
"I hope everybody's had a great off-season – I certainly have," Johnson said. "With Chani being pregnant, that's exciting news for us. We eliminated travel in the off-season; it's been great to be home. I've had a four- or five-week stretch of just hanging out at home.
"I turned all that extra time into organizing, getting life in order, which was a lot of fun. Needless to say, we're going to get out of the house and get back to work, get in a race car and try to chase down a fifth trophy."
Johnson is coming off his NASCAR-record fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Series championship and even with that accomplishment and a slew of race wins, is still looking for improvement in 2010.
"I feel that even though we won a fourth championship and had a really strong points lead with a few races to go, I look back and think there were a lot of missed opportunities for race wins and some areas I need to get better at," he said.
"Road courses, Bristol are some of the personal battles I'm still chasing down."
Johnson was also named the 2009 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year – another first for a NASCAR driver.
KBM hires crew chiefs.
Kyle Busch Motorsports has hired veterans Eric Phillips and Dan Stillman to serve as crew chiefs for its two entries in the NASCAR Truck Series this season.
Phillips will head up the No. 18 Toyota which will be split between team owner Kyle Busch and Brian Ickler. Stillman will serve as crew chief on the No. 56 Toyota, which will be driven full-time by 20-year-old Tayler Malsam.
Wilburn joins Braun Racing
Veteran crew chief Bill Willburn has joined Braun Racing and will serve as crew chief for its No. 11 team and driver Brian Scott, who will contend for rookie of the year. Willburn most recently served as crew chief at Kevin Harvick Racing with driver Ricky Carmichael in the Truck series.
Palin scheduled to appear at 500
Former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is schedule to attend the 2010 Daytona 500, according to speedway officials. Palin is stopping by the track before attending a chamber of commerce dinner, where she is the schedule guest speaker.
