The Chasers gather for a final victory lap in New York. Credit: Autostock

Stewart, Chasers take victory lap in New York

NEW YORK -- Midtown Manhattan traffic got a new look on Wednesday morning, when 10 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series cars rumbled through the streets for the "NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Victory Lap presented by Sprint."

The promotion featured a parade of the top-10 cars, with their drivers in full uniforms. The Victory Lap began at Rockefeller Center, where the drivers were interviewed on NBC's Today show. The drivers passed through Times Square and a few side streets before finishing at 375 Park Avenue, the site of NASCAR's New York office.

Tony Stewart and Ann Curry of NBC's "Today" show. Credit: Autostock

The Victory Lap was a highlight of "NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Champion's Week presented by Sprint," which celebrates the 2005 season and concludes Friday with the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series awards banquet at the historic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

With a police escort, the drivers navigated the route in about 20 minutes. Fan viewing areas were staged along the streets, and the drivers were welcomed at the finish by a large gathering of fans and media.

Among the top-10 drivers was veteran Rusty Wallace, who finished eighth in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings for his best finish in the point standings since 2002. When Wallace won the 1989 NASCAR Nextel Cup title, the banquet was held in New York -- but a procession of race cars through the streets was unheard of.

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

"It's the last awards banquet for me as a driver," Wallace said. "It's kind of bittersweet. It feels good to be in the top 10 in the last year I'm going to run. It's been a great career."

According to NASCAR vice president of corporate marketing Steve Phelps, who oversees the sanctioning body's New York office, the event signified NASCAR's ever-growing presence in New York.

"NASCAR has been celebrating our champion in New York City for 25 years," Phelps said. "We've had our corporate marketing headquarters here since 1998. On any given weekend, New York is one of NASCAR's biggest markets, with fans as passionate as anywhere. The sport's fans in New York deserve a special treat, and we're grateful to Sprint Nextel and our top-10 'Chasers,' the New York City Sports Commission, the city's Department of Transportation and New York's finest for helping to bring these loyal fans another unforgettable Victory Lap."

	CHAMPIONS WEEK •   Champions Week celebration •   Schedule of Events •   Pit Stop Tour •   Look for Sprint Nextel taxis •   Consumer Event Schedule

As Champion's Week draws to a close, the schedule intensifies with two major media events and the awards banquet on Friday evening.

At 8:45 a.m. ET Thursday, the New York Stock Exchange will share in the Champion's Week activities. The top-10 drivers, Sprint Nextel chairman Tim Donahue and NASCAR chief operating officer George Pyne will ring the bell to start the trading day at the New York Stock Exchange.

NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France will address the media during NASCAR's annual press conference and luncheon Thursday afternoon at Cipriani on 42nd Street. France will share his thoughts on the recently completed racing season and will be available for a question-and-answer session with the media. Tim Donahue will also address the media, discussing his company's second year as title sponsor of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.