Driver Kurt Busch speaks during the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series awards banquet during the final day of Champions Week. (Photo; Getty Images)

In addition to Johnson’s fourth consecutive title, another feat of note was Hendrick drivers finishing first, second and third in the standings.

“Rick, to finish 1-2-3 in the standings is remarkable,” Penske Racing’s Kurt Busch said. “It makes us feel like finishing fourth in the Sprint Cup standings that we’re first in class.”

The banquet also had light moments with comedians Frank Caliendo, John Pinette and Terry Fator, and included musical performers Brooks and Dunn, David Gray and Escala. It also was the first banquet with fans – 300 of them who won tickets from tracks or teams or sponsors. The fans cheered for their favorite drivers and were thanked by all the drivers on stage.

“It’s great to have our fans part of this,” NASCAR Chairman Brian France said.

France also congratulated the four-time champion.

“Champ, I told you in South Florida [after the season finale], ‘Welcome to history,’” France said. “We’re very proud of you.”

Johnson indicated he wanted to make more history: “It took three [titles] to win four. We’ve won four, so maybe we can [win] five. That’s what I’m going to try to do.”

That remark wasn’t meant to be brash at all. He was just letting everyone know that he’s a competitor.

“To hear these great remarks from people I respect so much and work with and compete against in this sport means the world to me,” Johnson said. “I’ve always wanted your respect for the effort I put in and the hard work I put in for my sport. To receive this tonight and over the last three or four years has been just amazing.

“I’ve spent the majority of my life being a mid-packer and kind of the underdog, so being here with four consecutive championships is pretty damn cool. So I’m enjoying this.”

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