Andretti surprises Johnson

Rick Hendrick and Mario Andretti

Rhonda McCole/AR1.com

Jimmie Johnson keeps getting pleasant surprises along with awards for his success as a Sprint Cup driver.

When Johnson matched only Cale Yarborough in winning three straight Cup titles last year, Johnson didn't know that Yarborough was going to be at the NASCAR awards ceremony in New York to present his championship ring.

On Wednesday, shortly after being introduced at the Hendrick Motorsports stop on the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Lowe's Motor Speedway, Johnson was surprised by another legendary driver – Mario Andretti.

Andretti was there to present Johnson with the Speed Performer of the Year award, which Johnson won for the third straight year. He edged National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher and Formula One phenom Lewis Hamilton to earn the Mario Andretti Trophy.

The award was voted on by a 15-member panel that included Andretti and several broadcasters and analysts who work for Speed.