NASCAR Busch Series Champion's Week - Day 1

Martin Truex Jr. spends busy night and day with Tampa Bay media

Martin Truex Jr.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2004) – When Martin Truex Jr. (No. 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) finished his last interviews with Tampa Bay area media Wednesday afternoon, he considered himself a veteran of the process.

“It’s good to get practice,” Truex Jr. said. “I’ve been doing it for two weeks now.”

All the media experience has served the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series champion well over the last day-and-a-half. He visited four Tampa Bay media outlets for live appearances, including a late Tuesday night sports show and an early Wednesday morning news program.

Truex Jr., 24, also was an in-studio guest on several radio shows before attending the third annual NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Media Luncheon at the Tampa Marriott Westshore. More than 20 media members from print, broadcast, radio and internet met with Truex and NASCAR Busch Series Director Joe Balash during the luncheon.

Tampa Bay is a logical destination for the NASCAR Busch Series champion, due not only to its close proximity to Orlando, site of Friday night’s NASCAR Busch Series Awards Ceremony, but Tampa’s ranking as the No. 5 national television market for the series in average households and viewership according to Nielsen Media Research.

On Thursday, the NASCAR Busch Series takes its Champion’s Week celebration to Orlando. Truex and other members of the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series Top 10 will make numerous television and radio appearances throughout Orlando in the morning before arriving at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World. There, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will proclaim “NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week” in the city.

The Mayor will also be treated to a few laps around the track with Truex, who will drive a car with a special paint scheme commemorating his 2004 championship. In addition to interview opportunities with Truex and five members of the NASCAR Busch Series Top 10 – Kyle Busch (No. 5 Lowe’s Chevrolet), Ron Hornaday Jr. (No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet), David Green (No. 37 Timber Wolf Chevrolet), Ashton Lewis Jr. (No. 46 Lewis Motorsports Chevrolet) and David Stremme (No. 14 U.S. NAVY Chevrolet) – media in attendance also can take laps with the drivers.

The day will culminate with an evening party hosted by series sponsor Anheuser-Busch at Sea World for the Top 10 and their families, along with NASCAR and Anheuser-Busch employees. Meanwhile, Truex, his Chance 2 Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion will attend a special Champion’s dinner hosted by NASCAR President Mike Helton.

What’s on tap tomorrow for the champion and the Top 10 … Martin Truex Jr. and members of the NASCAR Busch Series Top 10 have a full Thursday in Orlando. Activities include: