LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jimmie Johnson is celebrating again at NASCAR’s annual awards party, but the champion is being overshadowed this year by some of his competitors.
As Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus began collecting their prizes for their record fifth straight title, the attention seemed to be on the disappointment of runner-up Denny Hamlin and the recent personnel shakeup at Hendrick Motorsports.
Hamlin finished second to Johnson in the standings because of a poor race in the season finale, and his somber mood has been evident to everyone — including Johnson.
And in Johnson’s own shop, disappointing years for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin led to last week’s overhaul of the organization.
