Top 10 take Victory Lap in New York

NEW YORK -- The usual cacophony of New York City traffic noise -- the blare of the horns and screeching of brakes -- was interrupted Wednesday morning as 10 of the world's best drivers fired up their NASCAR Nextel Cup Series cars for a Victory Lap through the city's streets.

With 2007 series champion Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet leading the way, the drivers drove in a 1.5-mile loop through the heart of The Big Apple. The parade started in front of Good Morning America's Times Square studios and finished up on 43rd Street and 7th Avenue in front of the Hard Rock Café.  (I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS EVENT IN TIMES SQUARE SOMETIME!)

"It's really an honor for us to drive through the streets of New York City and see everybody," Johnson said.

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 Cup Series' final standings: Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Cling Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch (), Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch (), Jeff Burton, Carl Edwards, and Kevin Harvick.

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 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."

Johnson's championship week activities continued Wednesday afternoon with the champion's luncheon at the 21 Club with New York and northeast media.

Thursday
�?The NASCAR/National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers Luncheon at Cipriani on 42nd Street will honor the 12 Chase drivers, champions from all of NASCAR's racing series and all Cup drivers who won seasonal awards.

�?All 2007 series champions will gather for the traditional champions' photo shoot at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

�?Johnson will also be part of a private dinner for all of NASCAR's champions at the Waldorf-Astoria.

Friday
�?Johnson and his team will pose for formal photos on New York City's Park Avenue before attending several pre-awards ceremony receptions.

�?Johnson officially will be crowned the 2007 Cup Series champion. The awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m. in the Waldorf-Astoria's venerable Grand Ballroom. ESPN Classic will air the ceremony at 9 p.m. ET.

http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/11/28/jjohnson.day.three/index.html