The NASCAR drivers and teams have boarded their private planes and returned to North Carolina as a very successful Champion's Week in Las Vegas ended with Friday's Awards Celebration. Moving the events from New York City proved to be a popular choice for the drivers and fans.
The NASCAR Chase drivers appeared to enjoy the entire experience as they treated their fans to autograph sessions, photo opportunities and a parade lap complete with burnouts on the Las Vegas Strip. The fans, many wearing NASCAR shirts and hats, expressed their approval with cheers and applause.
Even Las Vegas visitors who were not familiar with NASCAR were happy to be a part of the excitement. A couple from Japan admired Jimmie Johnson's Championship trophy in the main lobby of Wynn Las Vegas. They asked a fan from South Carolina about the trophy and listened with fascination as the southerner explained the Sprint Cup to them.
"I think it was much more relaxed," four-time champion Jimmie Johnson said of the move from New York to Las Vegas. "We didn't have to commute across town, getting around was much easier. I had a blast. Everyone across the industry just had fun together. We were hanging out with people from different teams across the sport every night. It was a lot of fun. This has been a much better experience."
Tony Stewart praised the move to Las Vegas. He cited the variety of activities available in Las Vegas and the ease of getting around the city as some of the reasons he was happy with the move. Stewart, who admits to enjoying sleeping late, said he did not miss the early morning honking horns that are typical in New York.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway got Champion's Week festivities started with their FanFest. The event was complete with live music, the cars of the top 12 drivers, and a walk down the red carpet by the drivers, who were all smiles as they paused to greet the fans. The drivers then headed to a roast of Champion Jimmie Johnson.
Individual drivers held autograph sessions and events and the driver's cars were on display at various locations. All the Chase drivers participated in the Victory Lap down Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip), answered fan questions in an After the Victory Lap session, and acknowledged fans as the drivers entered an awards ceremony.
In a city that is used to celebrities, the NASCAR drivers were just twelve more high profile people trying to relax and enjoy themselves before returning to work.
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