A CELEBRATION, NEW YORK STYLE

Source: Rip Michels Racing
Date: 12/20/2006

One of the prestigious honors of being one of NASCAR’s 12 champions is the annual trip to New York City. NASCAR champions from across America arrived at New York’s stately Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue in early December. It is the eleventh consecutive season-ending celebration for which NASCAR gathers all of its regional touring series champions and national series champions for a celebration.

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

The champions were treated like royalty, treated to some of the finest restaurants and clubs in New York City, all on NASCAR’s tab.

“This was by far the coolest thing I have ever experienced,” said Rip Michels. “When I had won the NASCAR Sunbelt Regional Championship in 2003, I attended the banquet in Nashville, Tennessee. I thought that there was nothing that would top that, until this trip to New York. It simply blew it away, NASCAR did an outstanding job, and was very gracious to me and my wife.”

“It was great to see old friends like Kevin Harvick, who I had to remind that I lapped him at Mesa Marin, to party the night away with Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kasey Kahne. I have a lot of memories, and yes, I was asked to put the camera away. The only bummer about the trip was that I was not able to bring my guys on the crew, for they are the reason I won this championship, and they are the reason I got to go.”

“We are currently finalizing our racing plans for the 2007 racing season, and should have an announcement of those plans in the near future,” commented Rip.

On behalf of all of us at Rip Michels Racing, Inc., we would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year.

For more information on Rip and his sponsors, please visit www.ripmichels.com

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