PHOTOS: ‘Rowdy’ takes Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS—Kyle Busch returned to his Las Vegas roots on Tuesday afternoon—but not his racing roots.

Busch kicked off NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion’s Week with a visit to a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) class in room 709 at Clifford J. Lawrence Junior High School on the west side of the city, less than a 20-minute drive from the middle school he attended as a boy, Hyde Park.

Champion’s Week, NASCAR’s annual postseason celebration, brings together the “who’s who” of the racing industry, celebrities and fans for a robust schedule of events and appearances by the 16 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup participants. The week culminates with Friday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, which will be televised by NBCSN (8 p.m. ET).

A fast-tracked science and math student in his own formative years, Busch had dreamed of following his childhood hero, Jeff Gordon, into NASCAR racing and ultimately beating his idol for a Sprint Cup Series championship on Nov. 22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

As Busch fielded questions from the class, it was clear that both his words and his stature as a series champion sparked keen interest from the young listeners. One boy in particular, named Ronan, appeared to have his sights set on a racing career.

“He was pretty excited,” Busch said. “He had his camera going, and he was the one who wanted to be the race car driver, and it seemed like he was the most attentive and interested in the conversation we were having.”

Interestingly, NASCAR had begun exploring the possibility of a school visit by the Sprint Cup champion eight weeks before the season ended, and the STEM class founded and taught by Stacy Schaumburg was chosen for the honor.

It was a fortuitous coincidence that the series champion happened to be a Las Vegas native who had grown up in the Clark County School district.

Busch was a good student, good enough to graduate from Durango High School a year early. “Mostly As and Bs,” Busch said of his academic performance. But he had a strong incentive to crack the books.

“Those were the grades I had to make for my mom to let me race,” Busch said.

If there was pressure on Busch to perform well in school so he could pursue his passion on the race track, the driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota said his 2015 championship lifted a huge weight off his shoulders and may make future titles less stressful to achieve.

“I was actually pretty surprised by, not necessarily how easy it was, but how I felt through the whole situation, not being too nervous or this or that or other things,” Busch said of his drive for the crown. “I’ve been racing for XFINITY wins or Cup Series wins, and I feel like I’ve let some slip away because of my internal feeling, maybe and not being able to get the most out of the car.

“But this whole experience was far different from any of that. I’m not sure if number two will make me feel nervous or what, but it certainly makes it easier to think, going down the road, that those championships hopefully that we can achieve would be easier.”

Meet Pattie, Official NASCAR Fan Council member of the month

Name: Pattie

Current City: Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Member since: 2011

Getting to know Pattie

Q. Why did you join the Official NASCAR Fan Council?

"Because I feel it gives NASCAR fans a real opportunity to have a voice. Unlike many sports who do not reach out to their fans, NASCAR not only listens, but in many cases, reacts quickly to make the sport better. I like feeling that I can be a small part of the NASCAR family."

Q. What comes to mind when you think of NASCAR? What’s your favorite NASCAR memory?

"I became a NASCAR fan watching with my dad when the races were first shown on TV. It was a special day in our house when a race was broadcast. From that time, watching Richard Petty became watching Dale Earnhardt, then Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and now Danica Patrick, Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott and Erik Jones. My favorite moment has to be the first Cup race I went to – the Daytona 500. It doesn’t get much better than that. But, when the XFINITY (then Nationwide) Series came to my home track at Road America I can’t describe my feelings. To have a NASCAR race at a very special place for me was a great moment. You see, I was born a week after my mom attended a race at Road America. The sound of racing is in my blood."

Q: Do you have a favorite in any of the following categories?

Driver: "Jeff Gordon"

Track: "Talladega"

Memorabilia: "I have the program from our first trip to Daytona, but I have to admit I am not a big memorabilia collector. Except for pictures – lots of pictures."

Q: If you could go to any NASCAR race/track, where would you go?

"Either Talladega (during the Chase) or Homestead for the last race of the season."

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

"I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to travel internationally. Reading is my passion and I enjoy writing reviews and finding just the right book for the right person. My husband has a disability and we are tireless advocates for people with disabilities and enjoy planning and taking part in sporting events for people of all abilities."

Q: Tell us about your family. Do you have children and/or pets?

"I am married with one son, Sam. Sam served in the Marine Corps for over seven years and is now in college at the University of Wisconsin. We lost our beloved Border Collie a few years ago and don’t know if we can ever replace her."

Q: What’s your dream car?

"A black Suburban so I can pack it full of stuff for an adventure or I’ll settle for a 1967 Shelby GT500."

From all of us at NASCAR, we thank Pattie for her continued support.

Lorene King, executive director of the NASCAR Foundation, has done a Q&A with each of the four finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. They will appear on NASCAR.com this week.

RELATED: Cast your vote today

As another year comes swiftly to a close, we should all take time for reflection. As a charitable organization, we are thankful for those of you whose volunteer service impacts the lives of others and our communities.

Volunteerism remains strong with one in four adults volunteering in our country. The NASCAR Foundation has established the encouragement and support of volunteerism as one of our major efforts. Through the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award that honors our founder, Betty Jane France, we annually receive and review hundreds of nominees from which four finalists are selected.  

The stories of these four outstanding, everyday champions and the charities they serve are told through special appearances at NASCAR races, our marketing efforts and those of our supporters and sponsors. We are blessed this year that Nationwide has joined us as Presenting Sponsor of the Award and is helping us spread the word about each of our finalists and their work for children.  

We are giving you a more in-depth look at each of this year’s finalists. These outstanding volunteers will touch your heart, so please stay tuned as each of these champions for children share their passion. And you can help — vote for your favorite every day, share these stories through social media, and tune in to the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 4 (NBCSN), to see the winner of this year’s award.

Q: What does it mean to you to be among the finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide this year?

A: I am very honored and humbled to be among this year’s finalists, representing 40,000 Special Olympics athletes. It gives me additional opportunities to advocate and be a goodwill ambassador for the Special Olympics North Carolina program.

Q: How does being selected as a finalist further your cause?

A: Being selected as a finalist offers me the opportunity to help gain more awareness and exposure for the Special Olympics programs. It will help with athlete, volunteer and donor recruitment.

Q: Why did you choose to work with this organization and/or cause?

A: I chose to volunteer because I wanted to be a role model for my family and friends. I wanted to help the special needs community to display their abilities and to reach their potential. I wanted to help them and myself build self-esteem and confidence.

Q: What inspires you and your personal commitment to your cause?

A: I am inspired every day I am around the Special Olympics athletes for their energy, love, friendship, caring and sharing.  I want to continue to help them enhance their quality of life.

Q: What has been the most rewarding moment during your work with your charity so far?

A: The most rewarding moment is to see the Special Olympics athletes learn and succeed in gaining new skills, trying new sports, bonding with volunteers and receiving many handshakes, high fives and hugs. I love to see the volunteers become more engaged with the athletes and help them become accepted and respected.

Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, had successful surgery on his right knee this afternoon.

Hamlin, who tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament while playing basketball in early September,  is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2016 NASCAR season in February at Daytona International Speedway.

The surgery was previously scheduled and was done by OrthoCarolina’s Dr. Patrick Connor. The injury did not force Hamlin to miss time, and he finished ninth overall in this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Team officials say Hamlin’s status for this week’s Champion’s Week festivities is uncertain at this time.

RELATED: Festivities set for Champion’s Week | Champion’s Week homepage
MORE: Full schedule of live streaming at NASCAR.com for Champion’s Week

Fans going through offseason NASCAR withdrawal have a potent salve to look forward to this week.

Champion’s Week, NASCAR’s annual postseason celebration, kicks off Tuesday in Las Vegas with a packed week of activities and special appearances. The week culminates with Friday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards, where first-time champion Kyle Busch will be the toast of his hometown.

All 16 drivers from the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs will participate in the fan-friendly jubilee, with events centered at the Wynn Las Vegas and other areas along Sin City’s Strip. A fan experience at the LINQ Promenade will be open to the public from Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

The activities begin in earnest Tuesday with Eli Gold’s annual interactive NASCAR Live show from the Wynn’s Race and Sports Book, featuring a sit-down interview and fan Q&A with this year’s champion. Starting Wednesday, the festivities spread to Las Vegas Motor Speedway‘s annual FanFest at Fremont Street, including a red carpet walk and game show activity for all 16 Chase drivers.

The NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon takes place Thursday with the presentation of several special honors from the NASCAR industry. From there, the 16 Chase drivers will participate in the NASCAR Victory Lap Fueled by Sunoco, a raucous, tire-smoking trip up the Las Vegas Strip, before taking part in the NASCAR After the Lap presented by Ford and Sprint, an unfiltered tell-all hosted by Rutledge Wood and Courtney Hansen. All three Thursday events will be live-streamed on NASCAR.com.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards caps the weeklong bash with a black-tie gala honoring every Chase driver, hosted by comedian and TV personality Drew Carey. The formal event will also reveal the winner of the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award presented by Nationwide, shortly after balloting concludes Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

RELATED: Cast your vote today

RELATED: Keep updated on the 2016 changes for drivers, crew chiefs

Stewart-Haas Racing announced Monday its crew chief lineup for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, including high-profile changes for two of its four teams.
 
Michael Bugarewicz will become the new crew chief for team co-owner/driver Tony Stewart as he embarks on his final full season in the No. 14 Chevrolet. Billy Scott will take over as crew chief for Danica Patrick in the No. 10 Chevy.
 
Bugarewicz, a 33-year-old native of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, makes the transition from his previous role with SHR as race engineer on the No. 4 Chevrolet team for 2014 series champion Kevin Harvick. He previously spent time with Roush Fenway Racing in an engineering role for the No. 17 Ford and drivers Matt Kenseth and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. from 2011-13.
 
Bugarewicz replaces Chad Johnston, who left to become the crew chief for Kyle Larson and the Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet team. The 2016 season will mark Stewart’s last campaign in the sport’s top series.

RELATED: Stewart to retire from Cup after 2016 | Johnston heads to CGR
 
“We have great people at Stewart-Haas Racing and these changes prove that,” Stewart said in a release provided by the team. “We were able to promote from within while also adding new talent. Change isn’t easy, and that’s particularly true when it comes to my relationship with Chad Johnston. He served as my crew chief during two very difficult seasons. He was always supportive and he’s become like a brother to me. I think very highly of Chad and wish him nothing but the best in his new opportunity.”
 
Scott joins Stewart-Haas after an eight-year tenure as an engineer and later a crew chief with Michael Waltrip Racing, which shut its doors at season’s end. The transition reunites Scott with Rodney Childers, who joined SHR in 2014 after five years with the Waltrip-owned team.
 
The 38-year-old from Land O’ Lakes, Florida, replaces Daniel Knost, who has been promoted to the senior leadership role of manager of vehicle dynamics within the Stewart-Haas organization.
 
The driver/crew chief lineups remain intact for the two SHR teams that qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs this season. Childers will return atop the pit box for Harvick’s No. 4 entry, and Tony Gibson will again be paired with Kurt Busch in 2016.
 
“We made these changes after thoroughly evaluating our program to ensure that all four of our teams are consistently strong and competitive,” said Greg Zipadelli, Stewart-Haas Racing‘s vice president of competition. “In this business, you can’t rest and you can never be satisfied. You have to constantly improve. We feel these personnel changes enhance our strengths and shore up areas where we needed to be better.”