NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES CHAMPIONS WEEK – DAY 3

* NASCAR Victory Lap Thrills New York Fans

* On Deck: NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon and Champions Photo Shoot

NEW YORK (Nov. 29, 2006) – It seemed like a normal
race morning in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

The drivers awoke early, attended a meeting with
NASCAR President Mike Helton, donned their uniforms,
signed autographs, participated in live television
interviews, climbed into their race cars and drove off to the
cheers of their fans.

But this was no normal race morning.

The setting was Times Square in New York City. The drivers
took to the streets of New York for the NASCAR

“Victory Lap,” which began with a live national television appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America.

A procession of the Top 10 drivers and cars departed from Good Morning America’s Times Square Studios and

ended at the ESPN Zone restaurant, where the drivers met with sponsors and media.

“It’s pretty neat to be able to block off the streets of New York like they did today,” said Kevin Harvick,

driver of the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet. “It says a lot for New York accepting what we do and how big our

 sport has become. It’s great to see all the people watching and participating.”

Mark Martin (No. 6 AAA Ford) has finished in the NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup Top 10 in 16 of the last 18 seasons,

including three consecutive appearances in the Chase
for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. His unique, long-term

perspective on NASCAR’s visits to New York – which
date back to 1982 – gave him plenty of appreciation for this

year’s warm welcome from the City.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of [the Chase]
for all three years,” said Martin. “It’s gotten bigger every year.

 It really gives me a warm feeling about our sport, that I love so much, to see the folks here support it the way they

have.

Where past champions have gone before … NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s

Chevrolet), posed for photos in Times Square after the Victory Lap was completed. During the shoot, a feature of

NASCAR’s Champion’s Week in New York for many years, was especially poignant for Johnson – a moment he

now shares with dozens of other series champions who came before him.

“The pictures we took in Times Square; I’ve seen those photos with all of the other champions and it was a moment

 I was really looking forward to,” said Johnson. “We were out there doing the photos and there were fans

everywhere, screaming and yelling and getting involved. That really made it fun.

“I think our season speaks for itself,” said Johnson. “I’m more focused on experiencing this moment with my wife,

with my team, with Mr. [Rick] Hendrick [car owner], with Chad [Knaus, crew chief] – everything that we have from

here on out is revolved around sharing this moment with the team members and with the sponsor.  We are one

big family and really looking forward to that.”

With the Victory Lap completed, the countdown continues toward the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Awards Ceremony

 on Friday evening. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has been joined in New York by

the rest of the Top 10 drivers, along with 11^th-place finisher Tony Stewart (No. 20 The Home Depot Chevrolet).

Next up for this exclusive group is the NASCAR / National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers

luncheon on Thursday. This prestigious event, at Cipriani on 42^nd Street, includes presentations to the special

award winners of 2006. In addition, the champions from all of NASCAR’s other series will be recognized.

After Thursday’s luncheon, all of the champions will gather for their annual champions’ photo shoot, at Rockefeller

 Plaza. On Thursday evening, the group of champions will be treated to an exclusive Champions’ Dinner at the

Waldorf=Astoria.

Friday: Johnson and his team will pose for formal photos on New York’s Park Avenue before attending several

pre-awards ceremony receptions. Then, Johnson officially will be crowned NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series

champion; the Awards Ceremony begins at 7 p.m. in the Waldorf=Astoria’s Grand Ballroom. SPEED will

broadcast a live Awards Ceremony pre-show, “NASCAR Takes Manhattan,” beginning at 7 p.m. (ET), while TNT will

air the ceremony at 9 p.m. (ET).

Pit Stop Tour … For any local race fans that missed the Victory Lap, several slower-moving cars will be visible

throughout Champion’s Week. In fact, several race cars will be parked on display at many popular New York

locations every day this week.

From 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., today through Friday, six city locations will host the Champion’s Week Pit Stop Tour,

where fans can view NASCAR stock cars up close. The locations are: Times Square/Military Island (Broadway

between 43^rd and 44^th Streets); Bryant Park (6^th Avenue between 40^th and 41^st Streets); by the News Corp. Building

(6^th Avenue between 48^th and 49^th Streets); Madison Square Garden (7^th Avenue between 31^st and 32^nd Streets);

at the Tissot Retail Gallery/Tourneau Atrium (57th & Madison Avenue); and the Sprint retail store located at 175 5th

 Avenue, between 22^nd and 23^rd Streets.