NEW YORK, N.Y. (Dec. 4, 2003) – One day after arriving in New York, the champions of NASCAR’s eight regional touring series and the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series enjoyed a busy day in the Big Apple. Marking the only time during the year when all of NASCAR’s champions are brought together, this year’s “Champions’ Week” festivities began at NASCAR’s annual press conference, where the champions were introduced prior to NASCAR President Mike Helton’s “state of the sport” address.
The champions – including Busch North Series champion Andy Santerre, Winston West Series champion Scott Lynch, Featherlite Modified Series champion Todd Szegedy, Goody’s Dash Series champion Robert Huffman, Featherlite Southwest Series champion Auggie Vidovich Jr., International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series champion Steve Carlson, Kodak Southeast Series champion Charlie Bradberry, Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series champion Jeff Jefferson and NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion Mark McFarland – then joined the Top 10 Winston Cup Series drivers, NASCAR Busch Series champion Brian Vickers, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil, NASCAR executives, media members and sponsors, for an exclusive preview of the NASCAR IMAX 3D movie, which is scheduled for release in IMAX theaters nationwide in 2004.
Lynch, of Burley, Idaho, says the exhilarating mood on Manhattan’s busy streets and sidewalks has made his visit a memorable one.
“This has been unbelievable,” said Lynch. “I came here when I was in junior high school, about 12 years ago and that was such a long time ago I couldn’t really remember too many things. And now, you can actually feel the generosity of the people here after everything that went on here in the past.
And, being in the Big Apple as a NASCAR champion has its perks.
“Being able to introduce myself to the Top 10 Winston Cup drivers, and talk racing with them a little bit, was pretty cool, too,” added Lynch.
Carlson, of West Salem, Wis., is a one of two repeat NASCAR champions this season and is thus, a repeat visitor to New York as well. Carlson, a nine-time Midwest Series titlist, said this New York trip may be the incentive he needs to run for a 10th championship in 2004.
“I thought last year was great but this year is even better,” Carlson said. “NASCAR treats their champions so well. I just love being a NASCAR champion and hopefully, I can come back again next year. I’d really like to try that.”
Szegedy, who resides in Ridgefield, Conn., is the closest to home among the series champions. As evidence of his stature as a NASCAR champion, his trip got off to an impressive start when he was taken by limousine from his home, about an hour’s drive to New York, on Wednesday.
“I’ve been down here to hang out, but I’ve never gotten this treatment. We’re treated like kings down here. It’s definitely an honor. There are definitely not a lot of people that get the opportunity that I’m getting,” Szegedy said. “I’m getting more than I expected. I’ve gotten to meet a lot of the [Winston Cup] drivers and get my name out here so they know who I am.”
After Jefferson, of Naches, Wash., clinched the 2003 Northwest Series title, the advice he received from 2002 series champ Kevin Hamlin was: “You won’t believe the experience you’ll get in New York.” After his second day, Jefferson says he is finding out how true Hamlin’s words were.
“This is just unexplainable. You can’t go home and try to explain to somebody what NASCAR has done for its champions,” Jefferson said.
When asked what his favorite memory of the three-day visit was so far, Jefferson was again at a loss for words.
“I can’t pick out just one thing; the highlight is just being here.”
On Thursday evening, a private champions’ dinner was held at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel, where the champions mingled with NASCAR’s top brass – Chairman and CEO Brian France, Helton and COO George Pyne, along with Winston Cup champion Matt Kenseth, his car owner Jack Roush and crew chief Robbie Reiser. Each of the series’ champions was presented with a commemorative Bell Racing helmet, bearing a special design in honor of their 2003 seasons.
For More Information, Contact:
Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 681-4173 or
jdavidson@nascar.com
WE TAKE YOU INSIDE THE WALDORF! THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS ARE ATTACHED:
brian talks w champs.jpeg: NASCAR Chairman & CEO Brian France (foreground,
right) talks with NASCAR champions (from L-R) Charlie Bradberry, Scott
Lynch, Mark McFarland, Robert Huffman, Todd Szegedy and Jeff Jefferson
(Bambi Mattila photo)
champions toast.jpg: Toast of the Town: NASCAR's 2003 champions are
recogzined at an exlcusive Champions Dinner at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in
New York (Bambi Mattila photo)
champs w matt.jpeg: NASCAR's touring and weekly series champions, along with
Busch Series champion Brian Vickers and Craftsman Truck Series champion
Travis Kvapil are joined by Winston Cup champion Matt Kenseth in New York
(Bambi Mattila photo)
