Jimmie Johnson

  (2:40 PM)

I'm here and ready for your questions!

Bob McBride(Elk Grove Village,IL)

Jimmie, after talladega was there any doubt in your mind that you would not win this championship?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:41 PM)

I thought we missed an opportunity to catch the 31. I thought he was going to be the driver to beat.

Scott (Amite, Louisiana)

What goes through your mind as you are driving around the track, knowing that if you wreck, your day is over? I'm sure you were being very careful yesterday, considering what was at stake. And congratulations...Jeff Gordon is my favorite, but you are a real close second.

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:42 PM)

I was being smart. I was forced to race the way the day unfolded.

LowesFan

Congrats on the championship -- you deserve a vacation. Do you have any plans for the offseason?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:43 PM)

Go to Paris and race in the Race of Champions over there. Then a little island vacation over Christmas and New Years.

Keith Murray (Avera, GA)

Congrats!! What was going through your mind while sitting under the red flag yesterday and how did you keep yourself composed to close the deal?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:44 PM)

I was really calm. It didn't take much to stay composed. I'm not why. I was just really relaxed.

Maegen, Dallas TX

Congrat's Jimmie! 2 Quick questions for you - Did Earl ever sing for you (he promised us he would when we met him in Charlotte) and are you going to have the XM show w/ Marty again next year?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:44 PM)

No he hasn't! Still hasn't! Yes, we will be back again next year.

Armando, Anaheim, California

Dear Jimmie, Now that you have won all the majors, and a championship, What is your next goal in racing?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:45 PM)

I guess to win another one!

Tim (San Diego)

Who's decision was it to have you using a pick-axe in the Sports Center commercial?....

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:45 PM)

That was all ESPN!

Sully (Quincy, MA)

Congrats on the big win......If you could only pick ONE driver who was the most competitive throughout the entire Chase, would it be Tony Stewart or someone else?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:46 PM)

I think Stewart was but he wasn't in the Chase. As far as Chase guys, I was more concerned with 17 than anyone else.

Erin (Hoboken, NJ)

Are you planning on running the 24 hour Daytona race this year?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:47 PM)

Yes. I'm working on it now.

Johnathan Portsmouth, Virginia

Do you believe that Car of Tomorrow change the way you and your team will perform? And if so, what changes do feel will happen.

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:51 PM)

NASCAR has really tightened the rules with this new car. It is going to be a whole new learning experience for the teams. It's very differnt from what we have in todays car.

Jason Thigpen - Kent, OH

Congratulations, Jimmie! After winning this championship, do you consider yourself to be the most elite driver in NASCAR? Also, how does it feel to know that you can handle the stick better than Jeff Gordon?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:52 PM)

This year we won the big prize so it is an honor to be the best.

laurie callicoon ny

first of all CONGRAGULATIONS... you so deserve it. second i would like to know if it has all sunk in yet and what is the next week like for you(media,conferences etc...)? thank you

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:52 PM)

It hasn't really sunk in yet. It will be a great offseason reflecting on all this.

Claxton Georgia

Are you married?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:52 PM)

Definitely married!

Dan, Philadelphia, PA

How long are you going to wait befor you start thinking about next year?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:53 PM)

It's been a popular question. I'll let the team worry about it! I'm still enjoying this year!

48LowesTeam

Jimmie, just wanted to say you've been the best driver in NASCAR since you came onto the scene and you really deserved to get that championship. Can you tell us what it will be like to work with both Casey Mears and Jeff Gordon at Hendrick Motorsports next year?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:54 PM)

It's going to be great being teammates with Casey again. We were teammates before for a short time and it was great. Jeff is Jeff. He's a four-time champ.

Carl (Richmond, VA)

Will you be nervous making your speech at the banquet in NYC?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:54 PM)

I'm more nervous about that than anything else.

DupontFan (Atlanta, GA)

Any plans on owning a Busch or Cup team in the future?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:55 PM)

No. I'd rather be a driver than dealing with the headaches of being a team owner.

Earl, Atlanta, GA

Cograts Jimmie-- you earned it for sure. I was sondering what kind of music you celebrated with last night? I have read somewhere that you are a big Bela Fleck & the Flecktones fan....

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:55 PM)

I had to hear We Are The Champions!

JT (GA)

Are you still mad about what happened with Brian when he wrecked you & Dale?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:56 PM)

I understood the circumstances then and got over it a long time ago.

Brigid Chicago, IL

Congratulations Jimmie! Are you going to write your own speech, or does a PR person write it for you?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:57 PM)

I made a mistake my rookie year letting someone write a speech for me so I'm writing my own this time.

Hal (Barre, VT)

Were you at all worried when Jr. was in front with the quickest times and you were holding steady around 15th?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:58 PM)

We had some problems early in the race that had us in the middle of the pack. I was more focused on working my way forward than anything else.

Golly: (Las Vegas, NV)

Have you gotten a call from President Bush yet?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:58 PM)

No! I hope he has other things to worry about!

Josh, (Charlotte, NC)

Awesome season, congrats Jimmie! Any BIG plans for that BIG $6.2 million? Are you going to take the whole team out of what?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:59 PM)

Try to get it from Mr. Hendrick. He has it!

Aaron (Bangor, ME)

Hey Jimmie, congrats on the title. You were long overdue, that's for sure. Now, how to plan on celebrating the title, if you haven't already?

Jimmie Johnson

  (2:59 PM)

We had a big nighth last night. I'm just trying to enjoy the whole experience over the offseason.

Ray, Boston MA`

Jimmie, If there's one area you'd like to improve on the most for next season, what would it be? Short tracks? Superspeedways? Mile 1/2? road Course?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:00 PM)

I want to improve on the road courses. That is a person goal of mine.

Joey, Ohio State Univ, OH

Congrats man. you and the buckeyes made this a weekend to remember for me.

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:00 PM)

Congrats, Joey!

Terri Chester, VA

Does Chandra help you pick your wardrobe? If so, she does an amazing job.

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:00 PM)

She has input!

Joe Hattrick - Akron, OH

Good job this year Jimmy. Who do you think would win in a fight, you or Ricky Bobby?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:01 PM)

If he was in his underwear I would be running the other way.

Mark (NYC)

Do you feel there should be a cap on the number of Busch races you guys are allowed to run?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:02 PM)

If we had a full field I would say yes, but if the Cup guys weren't there I don't think we would have a full field.

Mike, Toronto, ON

Jimmie, great job racing this season. I'm just wondering if after the race you were able to make it to a TV to watch the end of the Grey Cup from Winnipeg?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:02 PM)

Nope! I was occupied!

Jennifer, Orlando, FL

Hey Jimmie - just gotta say congratulations. I was there when you won Daytona in February and when you earned the trophy last night. So...this was a pretty amazing year. What do you plan to do for an encore in 2007?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:03 PM)

I'm not thinking that far ahead just yet.

Al, Uniondale, NY

Will you be soing more commercials now that you are the Champ?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:03 PM)

We have some new stuff for next year. It's a little too early for the championship to drive any of the commercials.

Golly: (Las Vegas, NV)

Are you doing Letterman's Top 10 or appearing on there this week?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:03 PM)

Tomorrow night!

Sarah Boxley (Roanoke, VA)

Jimmie, what other sports teams do you root for?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:04 PM)

I keep an eye on San Diego sports. Also the Braves. I'm friends with some of those guys. Also the Carolina Panthers.

Dale (Madison, Wisconsin)

Do you get hurt when the fans of other drivers boo you?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:05 PM)

It bothered me at first. But beinga sorts fan and booing the other team, I understand what it is about.

AndyD (Spring, TX)

Other than Letterman, what other appearences do you have between now and the banquet?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:05 PM)

All of that is still being booked. We do have Good Morning American tomorrow and Regis and Kelly on Friday.

Omar, Uniondale, NY

Where will you place your new trophy?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:06 PM)

Good question. I haven't even been home yet so I'm not sure.

Boomer, Normal IL

Are you planning on keeping Lowe's as a primary sponsor and how are those guys treating you as a sponsor?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:06 PM)

They are AWESOME. We are signed up through 2010.

Billy (Buffalo,NY) 14 years old

Do you have any plans on visiting Western New York such as Lowes stores or fairs? PS-Your my favorite driver Congratulations on your championship!

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:07 PM)

Nothing that I know of as of right now.

Zak (Poughkeepsie, New York)

Is there any ongoing beef between you and Tony Stewart? Or is it all respect there? You guys seem to clash, in more ways than one.

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:07 PM)

We don't have any beef with each other. We are competitors but we have a lot of respect for each other.

Jimmy (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Who would you consider your biggest rival right now in the Cup series?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:08 PM)

I'd say the 17, 20 and 24 cars.

Kevin (Texarkana)

Do you have to pay for stuff when you go to Lowe's, or do you keep a running tab!

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:08 PM)

I buy just like everyone else.

Nicole Strasburg Ohio

hey Jimmie congrats on your win you made my weekend great and is Chandra happy the race season is over right now

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:09 PM)

OH yes. Both of us are.

Pugita (Atlanta)

You going to buy your wife something nice after she put up with 36 grueling races? Congrats!

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:09 PM)

She definitely deserves it! I haven't thought about it yet though.

Todd (Cary, NC)

Jimmie, other than yourself, is there anybody who you are especially happy for with this well-deserved championship?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:09 PM)

I'm happy for all of Hendrick Motorsports. Everybody works so hard.

Shane (Phoenix AZ)

What is your take on Juan Pablo? Do you think he will be a contender for the cup next year with Chip Ganassi or will he have to move to another team to have a realistic shot.

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:10 PM)

I'm not sure he will be a contender next year but he will do a great job and be contending within a couple years.

Mike (D)

Do you think the race season is too long?

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:10 PM)

Oh yes.

Nick (PA)

Are you going to race in Casey Mear's new $100K Dune Buggy during the offseason? That thing looks sweet!

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:11 PM)

That thing is awsome. I don't think I will have time unfortunately.

Jimmie Johnson

  (3:11 PM)

Thanks for the questions everyone and all the support. We'll see you soon!