Tony Stewart took in the New York skyline from the observation deck atop Rockefeller Plaza. Credit: AP

Stewart's celebration begins with tour of NYC

A postseason trip to New York City has turned into a tradition for Tony Stewart.

The 2005 Nextel Cup Series champion returned to the city for the seventh consecutive season as part of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Top 10. Stewart, and the rest of the Chase for the Nextel Cup competitors will be honored Friday night at the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Awards Ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

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Stewart has finished in the top 10 in every season he has competed in the Cup Series. This is the second time he will be honored as series champion; he also took the title in 2002.

"I think when I got to New York, it finally hit me, the full spectrum of what we accomplished," Stewart said of his championship season. "Being here for championship week, this is when it is going to hit us the most."

Stewart was welcomed Sunday night with a private dinner with NASCAR and Sprint Nextel executives. A special meal was cooked by Waldorf-Astoria head chef John Doherty, who has overseen the hotel's kitchen since NASCAR first held the awards ceremony in New York in 1981.

"It was a very neat setting being able to watch the chefs do what they do best. It made for a fun atmosphere and was a great way to start the week off," Stewart said.

On Monday, Stewart's first full day in the city, the champion was treated to a tour of New York area landmarks which ended with a carriage ride through Central Park.

AWARDS CEREMONY •   Grand Ballroom, The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City.  •   7-10:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Dec. 2.  •   TNT, 9 p.m. ET -- MRN/XM Satellite Radio  •   Special Guest: Jay Mohr  •   Musical Entertainment: Singers Toni Braxton and Gavin DeGraw; Jazz pianist Eric Lewis

The tour began with a trip to the "Top of the Rock" -- the observation deck atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The deck originally opened in 1933, but had been closed for the last 20 years. It re-opened Nov. 1.

"It's fun to be able to go places that you've never been to," Stewart said afterward. "To be up that high and see a perspective of the city that people haven't seen from that building for over 20 years is pretty cool."

Although his first day was relatively light, Stewart has a full week's worth of activities planned, and he's ready to celebrate his second championship.

"We'll have a lot of fun. Obviously, being able to spend time with our team later in the week and to be able to go to some of the parties that the team gets to go to, that's probably going to be the most gratifying part of the week -- being able to celebrate as one team again."

TUNE IN NASCAR Radio on XM Satellite Radio is broadcasting live from The Waldorf-Astoria, through 4 p.m. ET Friday.  Host Claire B. Lang will report on each day's events and feature exclusive interviews with the top-10 drivers and other personalities.  MRN Radio will also broadcast live from New York, including an interview with Stewart on Tuesday and live coverage of the awards ceremony Friday.  SPEED Channel will air a special "NASCAR Takes Manhattan" show live, beginning at 7 p.m. ET Friday.

What's on tap Tuesday

Tony Stewart will open Day 2 of Champions Week with a Satellite Media Tour featuring several West Coast news stations.

Stewart will join Brian Vickers, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson at the Staten Island University Hospital to visit with children in the Pediatric Burn Unit. The drivers will then make an appearance at The Vanderbilt hotel for a fan event.

Later in the afternoon, Stewart will visit the Fire Department New York Fire Academy on Randal's Island in Manhattan. Stewart will spend time with FDNY personnel and take part in various training exercises.

Press conference details

In addition to the awards ceremony, NASCAR's annual New York Press Conference and luncheon, scheduled for Thursday at Cipriani on 42nd Street, is the major media event of the week.

SUPERSTORE •   Stewart's championship gear!

NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France will provide a review of the 2005 season, as will Sprint Nextel chairman Tim Donahue; along with the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Top 10. Raybestos Rookie of the Year Kyle Busch, Busch Series champion Martin Truex Jr. and Craftsman Truck Series champion Ted Musgrave be available for media interviews; and the 2005 champions from each of NASCAR's national, regional touring and weekly series will gather for their annual group photo -- marking the only time during the year when all 12 NASCAR champions are together.