Yarborough Surprises Johnson With Ring Presentation

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 5, 2008) - Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
champion Cale Yarborough made an unannounced appearance tonight at the
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in
New York City.

Followed by a rousing standing ovation, Yarborough presented the
championship ring to 2008 series champion Jimmie Johnson during this
year's annual ceremony.

The two champions will be forever linked in NASCAR lore. This season,
Johnson joined Yarborough as the only drivers to win three consecutive
NASCAR Sprint Cup championships. Yarborough accomplished the historic feat
from 1976-78.

During Yarborough's incredible three-year stretch, he posted 28 wins, 70
top-five and 74 top-10 finishes.

"Somebody finally did it," Yarborough said. "I set a pretty good record,
didn't I? It took them 30 years to tie it. There are only two of us who
have done it in the 60 years of the sport. That's a pretty good
accomplishment. You know, I haven't been to this banquet in several years,
but tonight I feel like I got my racing spirit back. You know, all he
really did is tie the record - he still has to break it. He still has some
work to do. I want to congratulate Jimmie; he's a great man and a great
racer. I know he's going to win some more championships. Maybe he can skip
a year though."

Yarborough's famous swagger continues to this day. During his speech, he
told team owner Rick Hendrick that if there was a ride open in his stable,
he could have the first 70-year-old series champion. Yarborough turns 70
next March.

Johnson matched Yarborough's record with another typically brilliant
performance. In 2008, Johnson had seven wins, 15 top fives and 22 top 10s.

"What a surprise and what an honor to have Cale present me with the
championship ring," Johnson said. "I'm pretty much floored."

The Yarborough ring presentation was the culmination of a night filled
with memory-making moments.

Earlier in the program, Betty Jane France - widow of former NASCAR
Chairman and CEO Bill France Jr. - introduced Academy Award winning actor
Kevin Costner, who made some remarks commemorating the 60th anniversary
season of NASCAR. Costner was later joined on stage by seven-time champion
Richard Petty, who spoke on the impact NASCAR has had on his life and the
tremendous growth of the sport.

Also in attendance was Academy Award nominee Tom Cruise, who played Cole
Trickle in the NASCAR-themed film Days of Thunder.