It's a return to New York for two of NASCAR's most marketable stars, and both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon have enjoyed the view. It's a time for NASCAR and its drivers to shine on their sponsors' turf. This week allows the drivers a chance to show that the investment reaches further than the racetrack.
This week begins the reign of Jimmie Johnson as NASCAR Nextel Cup champion, an ascension to stock car's highest throne that he seems to have been waiting on forever. What will Johnson's legacy be as a Cup champion?
NASCAR has all but ruled out major changes to the point system or Chase for the Championship format, three of the sanctioning body's top officials say.
From the downshift department in Daytona Beach comes word that NASCAR has decided to move its annual awards bash from the Waldorf-Astoria in New Yawk to a Waffle House on the outskirts of Spartanburg, S.C. --Bob Lipper
Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona 500. He won the all-star race. He won the Brickyard. He led the point standings after 25 of the 36 races. Johnson and the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team were the best in NASCAR in 2006. --Tony Fabrizio
The third Chase for the Nextel Cup championship is now, finally, history, but don't expect NASCAR execs to hit the off switch on their amazing marketing machine and take any break. --Mike Mulhern
