NEW YORK (Nov. 30, 2006) - Hometown NASCAR champions from across America arrived at New York’s stately Waldorf=Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue Wednesday. It is the 11th-consecutive season-ending celebration for which NASCAR gathers all its local, regional and national series champions for a celebration.

NASCAR’s three national series champions joined the regional and local champions twice on Thursday. 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 Elite Division, Southwest Series champion Rip Michels and wife Laurie; NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion Philip Morris and wife Donna; NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series champion J.R. Norris and girlfriend Devanne Dille; NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series champion Tim Shendel and girlfriend Tracey Lindley; NASCAR Grand National Division, 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 Grand National Division, Busch East Series champion Mike Olsen with wife Victoria; NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series champion Gary Lewis with Jodi Hunt; Amazing seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion and two-time Busch East Series champion Mike Stefanik and wife Julie. The Stefaniks have attended seven of the Champion Events, the most by anyone; And Kevin Harvick with wife Delana attends for the third time, twice with NASCAR Busch Series championships in addition to the 1998 West Series championship.

The group enjoyed a multi-course, fine dining experience at Del Posto restaurant on Wednesday, followed by an evening tour of the city, including the World Trade Center excavation site.

By Thursday afternoon, the group had bonded through events, introductions and interviews at the annual NASCAR/NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon at Ciprianis restaurant, followed by the 11th-annual NASCAR champions’ photo shoot. This year’s class picture was shot in Rockefeller Plaza with the newly lit Christmas tree as a backdrop.

Of this year’s champions, no one has attended more of them than Stefanik, of Coventry, R.I. – about a two-hour drive from Manhattan. Stefanik said the New York event is part of the champion’s experience, but he tries not to think about it during the season.

“I try not to count my chickens before they’re hatched,” Stefanik said. “Once the last race is over and they tally up the points, then we start talking about banquets and trips. This is a nice place to come. It’s not too far from home and for us it’s like a mini-vacation.”

Stefanik’s wife Julie said champions’ celebrations have come a long way while she’s shared Mike’s career.

“I was born into racing, and this New York event is the coolest, Julie said.

Mike quickly noted Julie is extra helpful for events such as the one in New York.

“Julie is really good about knowing the itineraries and telling me which suit I where to what event. It’s fun to come here and meet the other champions. I haven’t seen Todd Bodine in a while. To me here with guys like (Busch East Series champion) Mike Olsen and meet all the other champions. NASCAR does a wonderful job of taking us to some wonderful places. We just take it all in and enjoy it.”

AutoZone West Series champion Eric Holmes is enjoying his first visit to New York City, while getting to know his fellow champions of 2006.

“It’s been a great experience. We’ve been busy the whole time we’ve been here," said Holmes. "It’s been a lot of fun. Every time you turn around there’s someone who’s someone in NASCAR racing and it’s really neat to come here and hang out with them and have a good time. There’s not a lot of pressure. We’re just enjoying ourselves.”

Backstage at the Thursday afternoon Myers Brothers Luncheon, Holmes chatted with NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team owner Richard Childress.

“The car I drove to our championship this year was one of his former NASCAR Busch Series cars that I bought from [team owner] Bill McAnally. I know Kevin Harvick a little bit by racing against him and Kyle and Kurt Busch. There are a lot of guys I’ve been around and know so that’s kind of cool.”

“Kevin and Kurt were at the top of the NASCAR West Series and Southwest Series when I first started running with them. We’re about the same age I just started a little later. So I got to know them a little bit those years and drove Kurt’s car a couple of times after he moved back east. We’ve raced against Kenny Schrader a lot.

“I’ve been racing for a living for about six years now. I’ve had a good time and I can’t complain if I didn’t get to go farther. But every racer would like to be sitting where Jimmie Johnson is right now.”

Schendel won the 2006 Midwest Series championship to earn his first trip ever to New York.

“It’s all new to me. It’s a huge city. I’m from a town of 8,000 people (Sparta, Wis.). It’s neat to come here and be part of all the NASCAR events and be here with all the other champions. I’ve seen so many people from the media, and a lot of important and popular faces. It’s been a fun time.

Lewis returns to the champions’ event for a second time, but it is his first in New York. When he won his prior Northwest Series championship, in 1998, the event was held at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“This is incredible. It’s a once in a life time experience,” Lewis said. It is the third unique travel opportunity NASCAR racing has brought him. Several years ago, he joined then U.S. Army sponsored NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Jerry Nadeau to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops. “I was offered the opportunity to go with Jerry, Geoffrey Bodine and a bunch of other guys, and I jumped at it.”

“I was proud to be part of than and I’m proud to be here with all the champions in New York, too. I am happy to be here to salute Jimmie Johnson for his championship.”

2006 NASCAR Weekly Series national champion Philip Morris recently enjoyed most of a week in Las Vegas being honored for his title in a lavish ceremony. The New York experience has been an unexpected bonus.

“I didn’t think it would be like this,” Morris said. “I didn’t know they would treat us so good and really rolled out the red carpet. It’s been awesome and exciting. There’s about 100,000 things to do here, and Friday, I’m just going to let my wife Donna chose and we’re going to do it up until banquet time. I’ve never been to New York or seen the city and all the people… even a lot of race fans. It’s neat being here.”

2006 NASCAR Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick is attending his third champion’s event, as well as his top-10 finish in The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. He originally attended when he won his breakthrough NASCAR West Series championship in 1998.

“This has turned into quite an event,” Harvick said of the champions gathering. “To do it here in New York with the Cup stuff kind of opens a door that most people don’t get to walk through. All the champions are available to the owners and they get a lot of exposure to a lot of different people so it’s a pretty neat event.

“When I got to do this in 1998 it was exciting. I still have a couple pictures hanging from then.

“I know some of this year’s champions and I’ve raced with some of them. It’s just nice to see everyone enjoy their championship along with all the other NASCAR champions this year.”