NEW YORK (Nov. 29, 2006) – Talk about a change in scenery. Philip Morris, the 2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion, awoke Wednesday in his hometown of Ruckersville, Va. (pop. 7,641) and he’ll spend the next three days in the nation’s largest metropolis, New York City (pop. 8,213,839).

Morris is in New York as NASCAR’s national champion for the Weekly Series. He is one of 13 NASCAR champions in the city this week, for the annual Champions’ Week activities which honors these drivers and culminates Friday with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Awards Ceremony.

Along with Morris and 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, champions Kevin Harvick (NASCAR Busch Series), Todd Bodine (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series), Eric Holmes (NASCAR Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series), Mike Olsen (NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series), Tim Schendel (NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series), Gary Lewis (NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series), J.R. Norris (NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series), Rip Michels (NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series), Mike Stefanik (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and Junior Miller (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour will attend.

Kevin Harvick

Harvick, who won the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series championship in addition to competing in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, has attended similar champion’s gatherings in the past, before he became one of the top drivers on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. His first experience as a champion came in 1998, when he won AutoZone West Series championship. He didn’t get a trip to New York at that time, but Harvick says NASCAR’s renewed emphasis on its regional and local racing programs opens doors for aspiring drivers.

“I think it’s great,” said Harvick. “It adds a lot of exposure to what they do, and kind of gives them a taste of what’s in front of them if they have a racing career. Bringing everybody here is a good reward for everybody in the other divisions.”

Morris, who races in the Late Model class at Motor Mile Speedway, in Radford, Va., says the visit is the opportunity of a lifetime.

“I’m just looking forward to checking out all the stuff I’ve never seen before,” said Morris. “I’ve been there before, when I was a kid, but I haven’t been in so many years, especially just to enjoy the city and check stuff out.”

Morris will get plenty of opportunities to sightsee, in between attending some of NASCAR’s most prestigious off-season events. On Thursday, Morris the rest of the 2006 champions will be recognized at the NASCAR/National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers Luncheon.

Afterwards, they’ll travel a few blocks across town, for a group photo shoot at one of the city’s favorite wintertime landmarks, Rockefeller Plaza, home to its trademark Christmas tree and ice skating rink.