This Week In NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson Is Fifteen Million Dollar Man

Dale Jr. Wins Most Popular Award ~ Fifth Straight

“I’m extremely honored to win this award again, because it puts me with a very select group of drivers who I have a lot of respect for,” Earnhardt, Jr. commented. “When I became a Cup driver in 1999, I never would’ve imagined that we’d be talking about five consecutive Most Popular Driver awards. I have a special place at JR Motorsports where I put the MPD trophies, so I’m honored to add another one to the collection.

“I don’t want it to sound like a cliché, but this award really does mean a lot to me after all we have been through this year,” continued Earnhardt, Jr. “This year has marked a significant transition in my life and career, and I knew the fans could go either way in supporting my decision or not. It was tough, and I don’t underestimate the fans’ support. It’s been overwhelming, and I really appreciate it.”

Throughout the race season, race fans could log on to:...(www.mostpopulardriver.com) once a day and vote for their favorite driver. Voting ended on November 19 at 11:59 pm CST. A total of 3.8 million votes were cast this year, with Earnhardt, Jr. receiving 1.4 million votes.

“General Mills is very proud to once again present Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with the NASCAR NMPA Chex® Most Popular Driver award,” said Becky O’Grady, Vice President of Marketing for Chex® cereal. “Earnhardt, Jr. has a dedicated fan base that has supported him throughout his racing career, and each year it shows in the number of votes he receives as the most popular driver. We are honored to present this prestigious award to Dale Jr., thanks to his loyal fans.”

After receiving the award this year, Earnhardt, Jr. has joined Richard Petty and Bill Elliott as the only drivers to win five straight awards. Petty won from 1974 – 1978 and Elliott won from 1984 – 1988. Other drivers who finished in this year’s top 10 include Jeff Gordon, who finished second in the voting, followed by Michael Waltrip, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler and Dale Jarrett.

More than 50 Nextel Cup Series drivers were eligible in 2007 for the esteemed NASCAR NMPA Chex® Most Popular Driver Award, which is administered by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). It has been awarded annually since 1956 and is one of the oldest awards in racing.

Drivers Take Ride Around New York

A crowd estimated at 150,000 lined the parade route. ABC-TV carried live coverage of the event. The Victory Lap included the top 10 drivers in the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series final standings: Johnson, Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet), Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet), Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Ford), Kyle Busch (No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevrolet), Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet), Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge), Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet), Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford), and Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet).

The day was kicked off with the drivers appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America. Following the parade, the drivers posed for a photo atop The Hard Rock Café marquee before attending the Sunoco Checkered Flag Breakfast, which included interviews with New York and national media. The event was broadcast live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

“This is what’s going to make me go into next year and work even harder to make sure I’m part of this again,” said Bowyer, who was making his first trip to New York City as a top-10 finisher. “That’s not your typical crowd – when you see all these people in suits watching you drive by. That was definitely a neat thing to see all the fans lining the street and seeing all the work and detail that goes into that.”

Also at The Hard Rock Café, New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City of New York to NASCAR President Mike Helton declaring Nov. 26-30 as NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champions Week. This is the fourth year the Champions Week has included a Victory Lap, which has become the must-see event of the week for fans.

Even those drivers who have participated in prior years were amazed at Wednesday’s show. “It’s neat to be able to drive a race car through downtown New York – that’s pretty crazy,” said Edwards, who was part of the Victory Lap in 2005. “It’s cool to see all the people amazed at what’s going on.”

Dodge Will Race Charger In 2008

“Racing is the core of Dodge’s DNA,” said Michael Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing. “Dodge has a racing heritage that spans many different nameplates and models, and the Charger is the cornerstone of that heritage. When NASCAR originally announced the phase-in plan for the “car of tomorrow”, it made sense for Dodge to race the Charger and Avenger. When the decision was made to race only one car next year, we talked with our partners, the more than 2,500 Dodge Dealers across the country, and they expressed overwhelming support for Dodge to continue its motorsports heritage with the Charger nameplate. NASCAR rules permit Dodge to use either nameplate in 2008.

“Since 2001 when Dodge returned to NASCAR, the goal has been to win races and ultimately the championship. Those goals have been accomplished with the Charger previously and we are committed to make it happen again.”

The 2008 Dodge Charger lineup will feature five teams with 12 drivers that are a mixture of seasoned veterans, experienced young talent and champions from other racing series that are newcomers to NASCAR.

Bill France Jr. Named NMPA Myers Brothers Award Recipient

Mike Helton, who succeeded France Jr. as president of the sanctioning body, worked closely with his friend and mentor for a number of years. France “built a family-oriented sport that has a lot of depth and strength to it,” Helton said.

Richard Childress, a former driver and currently a championship-winning car owner, said France not only taught him about the sport, “but he taught me numerous lessons about life.”

“Over the last several years, NASCAR has grown to an unprecedented level of popularity,” Childress said. “None of that would have been possible without the vision and leadership Mr. France provided.”

Voted on each year by members of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), the Myers Brothers Award recognizes individuals and/or groups who have provided outstanding contributions to the sport of stock car racing.

Myers Brothers Award Winners

2007, Bill France Jr.; 2006, Benny Parsons; 2005, Rusty Wallace; 2004, Kyle and Patti Petty; 2003, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 2002, Mike Helton; 2001, Dale Earnhardt; 2000, Kyle Petty; 1999, Junie Donlavey; 1998, T. Wayne Robertson; 1997, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 1996, Rick Hendrick; 1995, TNN: The Nashville Network; 1994, Brickyard 400/Indianapolis Motor Speedway; 1993, Goody’s Manufacturing Co.; 1992, Richard and Lynda Petty; 1991, Harry Gant; 1990. Dick Beaty;

1989, Bill France Jr.; 1988 Richmond International Raceway; 1987, ESPN; 1986, Hayride 500; 1985, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 1984, Charlotte Motor Speedway; 1983, CBS-TV; 1982, MRN; 1981, Junior Johnson; 1980, STP & Champion Spark Plug Co.

1979, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.; 1978, Busch Beer; 1977, First National City Travelers Checks; 1976, Junior Johnson; 1975, Bill France Sr.; 1974, H. Clay Earles; 1973, Wood Brothers; 1972, Winston Cigarettes; 1971, Richard Petty; 1970, Richard Howard;

1969, David Pearson; 1968, Wood Brothers; 1967, Richard Petty; 1966, Norris Friel; 1965, Ned Jarrett; 1964, Richard Petty; 1963, Marvin Panch; 1962, Hank Schoolfield; 1961, Ned Jarrett; 1960, Russ Catlin; 1959, Lee Petty; 1958, Bob Colvin

Labonte Will Drive Part-time In Nationwide Series

Labonte started ninth and finished 11th in April 2004 when he drove RCR’s Nationwide Series No. 29 ESGR/Army National Guard/Army Reserve Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway. He competed in 19 series races in 2007 for Kevin Harvick Incorporated, earned one win (Talladega Superspeedway in April) and three top-10 finishes.

“I’m really looking forward to driving for Richard (Childress) and the No. 21 team in the Nationwide Series next year,” said Labonte. “I had a great time in the one race I did for them in 2004 so I’m excited about running 15 races with a team that has won a lot of races and a couple of championships. RCR’s Nationwide Series program has been at the top for years and I hope I can help keep it there.”

RCR’s No. 21 team earned six victories in 2007 with driver Kevin Harvick and has earned two of the organization’s four NASCAR Nationwide Series championships. Harvick and Johnny Sauter shared driving duties and won NASCAR’s first owner-only championship in 2004 and Harvick won the overall championship in 2006. Securing sponsorship for the program is ongoing.

“I’ve watched Bobby’s career since he was a rookie in the Cup Series in 1991,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He’s a champion in every sense of the word and, with crew chief Shane Wilson and his championship-winning team, we know they will continue the No. 21 team’s winning legacy. We’re working on getting sponsorship all lined up but all of us at RCR are honored to have Bobby driving the No. 21 Chevrolet next season.”

48 Team Wins Pit Crew Award

The No. 48 Lowe’s Team also won the year-end award in 2004, making them the first-ever repeat winner of the award. The No. 48 Team follows the No. 24 Dupont Team (2nd Quarter) as the second team from Hendrick Motorsports to win a Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew quarterly award in 2007.

The Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award is given quarterly throughout the NASCAR Nextel Cup

Season. At the end of each quarter, the winning pit crew is determined by a vote of each team’s crew chief. The four quarterly winners are eligible for the year-end Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award and a check for $100,000 awarded at the 2007 NASCAR National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon in New York City on November 29, 2007.

“The No. 48 Lowe’s Team for Hendrick Motorsports has had one of the finest seasons in recent history and the pit crew was a key component to the overall success of the team,” said Ted Abdon, Mechanix Wear director of racing. “The No. 48 team has now won back-to-back championships at the highest level of the sport. The Over-The-Wall Pit Crew of the Lowe’s team has embodied what it means to be a team all season long, and we are proud to present this award to them for their hard work and dedication throughout the Championship season.”

Top 10 Drivers to Share over a Record $24 Million at Year’s End

In addition to the point fund and his race winnings, Johnson also receives $350,000 for winning four special awards – the Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap Award, the Dow Automotive Strategic Call of the Race Award, the Sunoco Diamond Performance Award and the Goodyear Award.

The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup top 10 drivers will share $24,068,732, the largest top 10 point fund payout in series history. Each of the top 10 will receive over $1 million.

Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet), finished second in the standings and receives $3,280,915 from the point fund, and $497,150 for winning four special awards – the Budweiser Pole Award, the Checkers/Rally’s Double Drive-Thru Challenge Award, the Commit Lozenges Commit to Win Award and the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award – to go along with his race winnings for a total of $10,926,687. With this payout Gordon, the series’ all-time money leader, has collected $93,300,213 during his career.

In total, more than $32.8 million will be distributed this year from the point fund.

NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Top 10 – Point Awards and Season Totals:

Free Indy Museum Dec. 23rd

As part of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association holiday promotion, the Hall of Fame Museum is among a group of leading Indianapolis-area attractions offering free admission to the public for one day. The promotion provides easy access to one of the world's premier collections of race cars, classic automobiles, motorsports artwork and artifacts.

More than 75 automobiles and motorcycles, representing the Indianapolis 500, stock car racing, sports car racing, and vintage luxury passenger models, are on display at the Hall of Fame Museum at all times. Cars that are part of the Museum's collection include: the Marmon "Wasp," winner of the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911; A.J. Foyt's four Indianapolis 500-winning cars; Smokey Yunick's famed "side car;" the one-of-its-kind 1957 SSI Corvette; a Benetton F1 car driven by Michael Schumacher; and Tony Stewart's 2005 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard-winning Chevrolet.

A fascinating collection of vintage motorcycles is also on display at the Museum in celebration of the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008. The MotoGP event will bring the world's most skilled motorcycle riders and world's most high-tech, high-performance motorcycles to the IMS road course.

The Hall of Fame Museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Dec. 23, as it is every day of the year except Christmas Day. For more information, contact the Museum at (317) 492-6784 or visit (www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com).

Busch Team Shuts Down

Craftsman Truck Series Numbers Up

"The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series continues to be one of the true cornerstones of the SPEED motor sports lineup," said SPEED President Hunter Nickell. "The series always delivers great racing, cool storylines and great championship battles. To have champions like (Mike) Skinner and (Ron) Hornaday taking it down to the last race of the season in such dramatic fashion was what we've come to expect from this series and we're committed to its continued growth on SPEED."

Average Total Viewers of live events since NCTS came to SPEED in 2003 (Source: Nielsen Media Research):

- 2003 - 483,000
- 2004 - 581,000
- 2005 - 672,000
- 2006 - 659,000
- 2007 - 686,000

To increase exposure of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and its participants, SPEED made two races from 2007 available to FOX (Martinsville and Mansfield*) and developed a new popular pre-race program, NCTS Setup, hosted by Krista Voda. In 2008, the effort will continue as the plans are to again air a pair of Truck races on FOX, with the remainder live and exclusive to SPEED.

SPEED will wrap up the 2007 NCTS season on Dec. 7, with coverage of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Banquet from Florida (9 p.m. ET), as well as re-airs of the Trucks '07: A Rivalry Renewed (8 p.m. ET) and Bobby Hamilton: Live to Race, Race to Live (10 p.m. ET).(truckseries.com)

ISC-New York Land Deal Falls Through

Faced with political opposition, Daytona Beach-based ISC last year dropped its plans to build a NASCAR track and put the land up for sale.

ProLogis planned to build an industrial park with 3.5 million square feet of warehouse space at site, which is located next to the West Shore Expressway. The deal was expected to close next month. ProLogis had a short term inspection period to conduct due diligence, and the company elected not to proceed with the sale under the terms of the agreement. Yesterday, a ProLogis spokeswoman declined to say what concerns came up during its due diligence phase, but said ProLogis remains "interested" in the site.

In September, ISC announced that it had reached a preliminary deal with ProLogis, the publicly-traded Denver-based Fortune 1000 company and one of three top bidders for the former NASCAR site.

After taxes and broker fees, ISC expected to net $100 million from the sale of the land to ProLogis. That's what ISC paid for the site when it purchased it back in 2004.(silive.com)

Earnhardt Speedway Plans Revealed

The focal point of the plan is a 7/10ths-mile D-shaped asphalt speedway. The property will also include a 3-mile road course and karting track. The road course includes a straightaway that runs through the "Race City" retail area, providing a traditional road course and street circuit combination.

The complex is expected to be fully operational in 2010.(scenedaily.com)

France Still Wants New York Track

Penske Racing's Don Miller Retires

Penske Racing also announced Tuesday that Mike Nelson, who just completed his first season as crew chief of the No. 12 Dodge driven by Ryan Newman, has been promoted to vice president of operations. In his new role, Nelson will oversee Penske's entries in the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series programs, reporting to Tim Cindric, president of Penske Performance Inc.

In addition, Roy McCauley, an experienced crew chief and engineer for Penske Racing since 2002, has been named crew chief for the No. 12 team. Reuniting a winning combination, McCauley will once again be paired with Newman. The duo produced wins in six of the nine Busch Series races they competed in during the 2005 season, with McCauley serving as crew chief.

"On behalf of our 39,000 employees, I want to thank Don Miller for all he's done for Penske Racing over the years," Roger Penske said. "He's been a partner and great friend and he will definitely be missed. We're looking forward to the 2008 season and we're excited about the new opportunities for both Mike and Roy as they focus on the challenges ahead."