NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion's Week Press Conference Features New Format
NMPA/Myers Brothers Event Incorporated into Annual NASCAR Luncheon

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) today announced a new format for its annual awards ceremonies held during NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion's Week in New York City, Nov. 27-Dec. 1.

The annual NASCAR "press conference" traditionally held on Thursday of Champion's Week will now include major awards and the participation of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA). The NMPA in the past has hosted an awards ceremony on Friday morning of Champion's Week known as the Myers Brothers Breakfast. The two events have been combined and will now be known as the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon. This re-formatted event will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 30 at "Cipriani on 42nd Street" in Manhattan and will be broadcast on SPEED Channel Thursday night during prime time.

Awards to be presented include the Champion Sponsor, Champion Crew Chief, Raybestos Rookie of the Year, Manufacturers Championship, Goodyear, Marketing Achievement, Buddy Shuman, Clevite Engine Builder of the Year, DirecTV Crew Chief of the Year, Goodyear Gatorback Fastest Lap, Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award, Mobil 1 Command Performance, USG Improving the Finish, WIX Lap Leader, Sunoco Diamond Performance, Chex Cereals Most Popular Driver, Bank of America Card Services Mid-Race Leader, Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Pit Challenge, and the Commit Lozenges 'Commit to Win'. The presentation of the Myers Brothers Award will conclude the program.

The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Awards Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. The ceremony will recognize the top 10 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers, a group led by the series champion. The event will be broadcast on TNT, beginning at 9 p.m.

Further details on all NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion's Week events will be announced at a later date.