fabiojj
11-30-2006, 02:11 PM
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/sports/motorsports/16127902.htm (http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/sports/motorsports/16127902.htm)
NASCAR stars roar through Manhattan
Celebration of season begins with victory lap
DAVID POOLE
dpoole@charlotteobserver.com (dpoole@charlotteobserver.com)
NEW YORK - NASCAR drivers made a nuisance of themselves Wednesday morning in midtown Manhattan.
The rest of the drivers who qualified for the Chase for the Nextel Cup began arriving to join 2006 champion Jimmie Johnson in preparation for Friday night's banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria.
The first big activity was the victory lap, a procession of the top 10 cars from the "Good Morning America" studios at 44th Street and Broadway around a few heavily congested blocks to wind up at the ESPN Zone in Times Square.
Chad Knaus, crew chief for Johnson's team, is sharing the experience with his father, John, who was a late model driver at Rockford Speedway in Illinois.
"This is a lifelong dream of mine," Knaus said. "I've wanted it since I was a child. My father groomed me to get into this. Some fathers groom their sons to be quarterbacks; my dad really raised me to be a crew chief, and it's worked out well for me."
Johnson said he's looking forward to getting past the next couple of busy days and then having time to celebrate with his team at the end of the week.
Bill Weber will host Friday's banquet, with Jewel providing musical entertainment. TV coverage starts at 9 p.m. on TNT.
NASCAR stars roar through Manhattan
Celebration of season begins with victory lap
DAVID POOLE
dpoole@charlotteobserver.com (dpoole@charlotteobserver.com)
NEW YORK - NASCAR drivers made a nuisance of themselves Wednesday morning in midtown Manhattan.
The rest of the drivers who qualified for the Chase for the Nextel Cup began arriving to join 2006 champion Jimmie Johnson in preparation for Friday night's banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria.
The first big activity was the victory lap, a procession of the top 10 cars from the "Good Morning America" studios at 44th Street and Broadway around a few heavily congested blocks to wind up at the ESPN Zone in Times Square.
Chad Knaus, crew chief for Johnson's team, is sharing the experience with his father, John, who was a late model driver at Rockford Speedway in Illinois.
"This is a lifelong dream of mine," Knaus said. "I've wanted it since I was a child. My father groomed me to get into this. Some fathers groom their sons to be quarterbacks; my dad really raised me to be a crew chief, and it's worked out well for me."
Johnson said he's looking forward to getting past the next couple of busy days and then having time to celebrate with his team at the end of the week.
Bill Weber will host Friday's banquet, with Jewel providing musical entertainment. TV coverage starts at 9 p.m. on TNT.