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One of the prestigious honors of being one of
NASCAR’s 12 champions is the annual trip to New York
City. NASCAR champions from across America arrived
at New York’s stately Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park
Avenue in early December. It is the eleventh
consecutive season-ending celebration for which
NASCAR gathers all of its regional touring series
champions and national series champions for a
celebration.
NASCAR’s three national series champions joined the regional
touring champions for several planned festivities.
Of the dozen drivers, seven are part of the
Champion’s event for the first time since the event
was established in 1996.
First-timers include NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series champion Rip
Michels and wife Laurie; NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
national champion Philip Morris and wife Donna;
NASCAR AutoZone Southeast Series champion J.R.
Norris and girlfriend Devanne Dille; NASACR AutoZone
Midwest Series champion Tim Shendel and girlfriend
Tracey Lindley; NASCAR AutoZone West Series champion
Eric Holmes and girlfriend Joy Anerine; NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series champion Todd Bodine and
girlfriend Janet Paczkowski; and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup
Series champion Jimmie Johnson with wife Chandra.
Repeat appearances are being made by NASCAR Whelen Southern
Modified Tour champion Junior Miller with wife Kim;
NASCAR Busch East Series GRAND National Division
champion Mike Olson with wife Victoria; NASCAR
AutoZone Northwest Series champion Gary Lewis with
Jodi Hunt; Amazing seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified
Tour champion and two-time NASCAR Busch East
champion Mike Stefanik and wife Julie. They have
attended seven of the Champion Events, the most by
anyone; and Kevin Harvick with wife Delana attend
for the third time, twice with NASCAR Busch
championships in addition to the 1998 NASCAR West
Series championship.
The champions were treated like royalty, treated to some of the
finest restaurants and clubs in New York City, all
on NASCAR’s tab.
“This was by far the coolest thing I have ever experienced,” said
Rip Michels. “When I had won the NASCAR Sunbelt
Regional Championship in 2003, I attended the
banquet in Nashville, Tennessee. I thought that
there was nothing that would top that, until this
trip to New York. It simply blew it away, NASCAR did
an outstanding job, and was very gracious to me and
my wife.”
“It was great to see old friends like Kevin Harvick, who I had to
remind that I lapped him at Mesa Marin, to party the
night away with Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kasey Kahne.
I have a lot of memories, and yes, I was asked to
put the camera away. The only bummer about the trip
was that I was not able to bring my guys on the
crew, for they are the reason I won this
championship, and they are the reason I got to go.”
“We are currently finalizing our racing plans for the 2007 racing
season, and should have an announcement of those
plans in the near future,” commented Rip.
On behalf of all of us at Rip Michels Racing, Inc., we would like
to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday Season and
a prosperous New Year.
For more information on Rip Michels Racing, please visit
www.ripmichels.com
Source: LRM Sports Marketing, Inc.
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