Information: NASCAR.com - championship week page
2011 Season Winnings
| 2011 Season Winnings |
| Rank |
Driver |
Race Winnings |
Special Awards |
NASCAR/Sprint |
Season Total |
| 1 |
Tony Stewart |
$6,567,771 |
$310,500 |
$5,792,800 |
$12,671,071 |
| 2 |
Carl Edwards |
$8,490,064 |
$416,600 |
$2,445,300 |
$11,351,964 |
| 3 |
Kevin Harvick |
$6,201,219 |
|
$1,871,150 |
$8,072,369 |
| 4 |
Matt Kenseth |
$6,187,659 |
$100,000 |
$1,613,750 |
$7,901,409 |
| 5 |
Brad Keselowski |
$5,087,744 |
|
$1,415,700 |
$6,503,444 |
| 6 |
Jimmie Johnson |
$6,312,034 |
|
$1,287,000 |
$7,599,034 |
| 7 |
Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
$4,171,588 |
|
$1,158,300 |
$5,329,888 |
| 8 |
Jeff Gordon |
$5,919,159 |
$75,000 |
$1,132,560 |
$7,126,719 |
| 9 |
Denny Hamlin |
$5,471,868 |
|
$1,106,820 |
$6,578,688 |
| 10 |
Ryan Newman |
$5,307,098 |
|
$1,081,080 |
$6,388,178 |
| 11 |
Kurt Busch |
$5,942,791 |
|
$772,200 |
$6,714,991 |
| 12 |
Kyle Busch |
$6,165,098 |
$100,000 |
$894,945 |
$7,160,043 |
| 13 |
Clint Bowyer |
$5,678,026 |
|
$643,500 |
$6,321,526 |
| 14 |
Kasey Kahne |
$4,781,481 |
|
$617,760 |
$5,399,241 |
| 15 |
A.J. Allmendinger |
$4,829,639 |
|
$592,020 |
$5,421,659 |
| 16 |
Greg Biffle |
$4,322,128 |
|
$566,280 |
$4,888,408 |
| 17 |
Paul Menard |
$3,860,013 |
|
$540,540 |
$4,400,553 |
| 18 |
Martin Truex Jr. |
$3,959,638 |
|
$514,800 |
$4,474,438 |
| 19 |
Marcos Ambrose |
$4,754,464 |
|
$489,060 |
$5,243,524 |
| 20 |
Jeff Burton |
$3,807,776 |
|
$463,320 |
$4,271,096 |
| 21 |
Juan Pablo Montoya |
$5,024,851 |
|
$257,400 |
$5,282,251 |
| 22 |
Mark Martin |
$3,834,983 |
|
$231,660 |
$4,066,643 |
| 23 |
David Ragan |
$4,203,663 |
|
$218,790 |
$4,422,453 |
| 24 |
Joey Logano |
$3,856,013 |
|
$205,920 |
$4,061,933 |
| 25 |
Brian Vickers |
$4,301,877 |
|
$193,050 |
$4,494,927 |
| 33 |
Andy Lally (A) |
$2,868,218 |
$59,000 |
|
$2,927,218 |
| 36 |
Michael McDowell (B) |
$2,475,317 |
|
$9,295 |
$2,484,612 |
(A) rookie of the year
(B) ran a race in the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.(12-16-2011)
Post Season Awards
TOTAL AWARDED $1,061,100
Carl Edwards
Coors Light Pole Award $111,600
Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award $105,000
DIRECTV Crew Chief of the Year Award $100,000
MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder Award $100,000
TOTAL $416,600
Tony Stewart
Mobil 1 Command Perforrnance Driver of the Year Award $100,000
O'Reilly Auto Pals People. Service & Performance Award $110,500
Sunoco Diamond Performance Award $100,000
TOTAL $310,500
Jeff Gordon
MOOG Chassis Parts Problem Solver of the Year Award $75.000
TOTAL $75.000
Kyle Busch
Goodyear Belts & Hoses "Gatorback Fastest Lap'' Award $100.000
TOTAL $100.000
Matt Kenseth
Growth Energy Award $100.000
TOTAL $100.000
Andy Lally
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award $59.000
TOTAL $59,000
NASCAR hopes to keep Sprint Cup ceremony in Vegas: As invitees filed out of the Sprint Cup awards ceremony on Friday, it marked not only the end of the event, but also the end of the three-year deal that brought NASCAR's Champion's Week to Las Vegas. The week-long championship celebration moved to the desert in 2009 after a long stint in New York, where the event often struggled for recognition. In Las Vegas, NASCAR has found that and more -- strong crowds attended events such as the Victory Lap show car parade down the Strip, which even attracted news helicopters hovering overhead. As this Champion's Week concluded, indications were that the event would return to Las Vegas, although no formal announcement of such has yet been made. An agreement between NASCAR and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority brought the event to the city. "We certainly have a desire to come back. There's a desire I think from them to have us back," Steve Phelps, NASCAR's chief marketing officer, said Friday. "I think we're just trying to figure out, what are the right assets that work for them? What is the best way to engage with the fan base and bring as many people to the city as possible? But we're excited about the possibilities of getting something renewed. We don't have anything right now. There are discussions that are going on."(NASCAR.com)(12-4-2011)
News - Day 4: Stewart All Smiles As Champion’s Week Comes To A Close: Each crew member from the #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet team lined up inside the media room at the Wynn Las Vegas where championship photos were being taken. Each waited his turn to pose with the gleaming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series trophy from Tiffany & Co. – and the boss, new three-time series champion, Tony Stewart. Stewart’s smile never vanished, even as the number of shots from Friday’s Champion’s Week finale crept into the hundreds. Why? Well, for one, these were his guys, and Stewart had said that this final night of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week was all for his team. And two, he was having too good a time to do anything BUT smile.
“This is by far the most fun from start to finish of any championship week I’ve ever been a part of,” Stewart said prior to tonight’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony, the official end to Champion’s Week in Las Vegas. “I love Vegas a lot. There’s just so much you can do, so much to see.”
This week was an eventful and memorable one for Stewart. He started the week on Tuesday, running through a number of media hits, including the Landmark Photo Shoot which including photos taken at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, the iconic lion at the MGM Grand Hotel and, finally, the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay. To view and download the photos from Tuesday’s shoot, click here.
Wednesday began with an honor befitting a champion: a call from the President of the United States Barack Obama congratulating him on his impressive feat. Stewart’s roll continued later in the day, as he and Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Ryan Newman won a NASCAR-themed version of the Newlywed Game, which was held on Fremont Street for the fans.
On Thursday, Stewart took home four awards at the annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon before taking part in a number of fan-focused events: the NASCAR Victory Lap, the NASCAR After The Lap, and the Stewies – a light-hearted awards show on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Friday evening’s awards ceremony will feature a star-studded entertainment lineup, with host Reba, and performances by Kid Rock, Ella Mae Bowen and Broadway sensation the Jersey Boys. The winner of the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award will also be announced during the ceremony. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on SPEED, Sirius XM NASCAR Radio and MRN Radio at 9 pm/et.(NASCAR). See more day to day events and links on my 2011 Sprint Cup Awards News and Links page.(12-2-2011)
Top-12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Drivers Hold Nothing Back: The 2011 top-12 NASCAR Sprint Cup SeriesTM drivers held nothing back today at the third annual, fan-favorite NASCAR After The Lap held at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas and sponsored by Coca-Cola and Ford. ESPN pit road reporter Jamie Little hosted the event along with co-host Miss Sprint Cup Monica Palumbo. A list of the top-10 unfiltered, driver "tell-all" comments are outlined below.
Top-10 List
Number 1
· Ryan Newman was asked if he purchased his boss (2011 Champion Tony Stewart) anything special after winning the championship.
· "No!"
· Jamie Little followed with "Ryan, you told me earlier there was a waxing appointment but that no appointment was long enough to cover Tony's needs."
Number 2
· Question for Kyle Busch: "Kyle, we hear your wife cooked her first Thanksgiving this year…How did she do?"
· Response: "It was good. That's what she said."
Number 3
· Comment from host Little: "There are a lot of single women in Vegas."
· Response from Stewart: "Why do you think I'm just happy to be here?"
Number 4
After comments about brothers Kurt and Kyle Busch dressing alike and being confused for each other, Kurt Busch responded:
· "When the fine comes in the mail, they know how to spell our name right."
Number 5
· Question: What if Delana Harvick (wife of Kevin Harvick) showed up (to the race) without a fire suit?
· Special guest and Blue Comedy Tour comedian Bill Engvall responded: "We talking no suit at all? Cus, that would be awesome."
· Harvick followed with "If she walked out without a fire suit and I missed the race, you'd know why."
· "At least for the first 10 laps…" said Matt Kenseth.
Number 6
· Earnhardt Jr. was asked about his future wife…
· "Yea, she's real," said Earnhardt Jr.
· "Not real's a blow-up doll." Engvall
· Little asked if she was a blonde.
· "She's like Snooki ... he hasn't noticed," said Gordon. Earlier in the show, Stewart had commented that "For the first three episodes, I didn't even know Snooki had a head."
Number 7
· Stewart was positioned in a chair next to Little who was standing nearby. "Why do you think she sat me next to her? Always sit the fat kid next to the tall girl."
Number 8
· Kurt Busch noted that he was "camera shy. I think the best form of communication is cussing."
Number 9
· "I felt uncomfortable today for the first time in a long time because I was changing next to Carl." Stewart
· "You'll always have me beat with that back hair." Carl Edwards
· "Hey, I'm out here working hard to represent all fat kids." Stewart
Number 10
· Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Gordon break dancing for fans at NASCAR After The Lap.
(NASCAR)(12-2-2011)
Day 3: Grubb Stands Tall; Stewart Gets Call: Darian Grubb spoke for mere minutes at Thursday’s NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, but the words that tumbled from the champion crew chief’s mouth were a good two months in the making. Prior to October’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Grubb learned that his tenure as Tony Stewart’s crew chief would end after the season. Then, six races and three victories later, Grubb won an improbable NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship atop the pit box for the #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet. A few days later, the move was confirmed. Grubb was out, Steve Addington was in as Stewart’s crew chief in 2012. That draining sequence of events framed the highlight of Thursday’s traditional NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon at the Bellagio – Grubb’s acceptance speech as champion crew chief. With emotion in his voice, Grubb thanked Stewart for the opportunity – and his friendship. During the post-event media availability, Grubb explained his feelings from the roller-coaster ride. “It’s just tough,” Grubb said. “It’s just awkward because we want to enjoy it, but we know things are changing. So we’re trying our best to enjoy the championship and everything we’ve earned and deserved and go from there.”
Stewart, who filled his expanding trophy case with four more awards on Thursday, continued a dream week. Enjoying the spoils as guest of honor during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week, Stewart picked up the phone on Wednesday morning to speak with President Barack Obama – calling from Air Force One. “It is a huge honor to get a call from the President of the United States,” Stewart said. “I was more nervous that I wasn’t going to be able to hear on the phone very well, being from Air Force One, but they got great service up there. He just congratulated us on a great season. … The First Lady was giving him updates from the track, so I was really proud that he was following our sport and cared enough to call yesterday.”
A number of postseason awards were given out during the luncheon, the last of which was the event’s namesake: the NMPA Myers Brothers Award. This year, the honor was given to former CEO of Pocono Raceway Dr. Joe Mattioli and his wife Rose. Also announced today was the Wheaties Fuel Most Popular Driver Award, given to Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the ninth consecutive year.
At the event’s conclusion, the top-12 drivers hit The Strip for what has evolved into one of the most hotly anticipated events of Champion’s Week: the NASCAR Victory Lap. For the third consecutive year, thousands of fans lined The Strip to watch the top 12 roar down The Strip. Starting at Planet Hollywood and ending at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, celebratory burnouts smoked the closed streets of Las Vegas. A large crowd also enjoyed a Q&A session with the top 12 at the popular NASCAR After The Lap, held at the Hard Rock. The tell-all format has gained mass appeal, as drivers show fans a more personal side.
Here is the complete list of Thursday’s award winners from the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon:
Myers Brothers Award: Drs. Joe and Rose Mattioli
NASCAR Foundation Track of the Year Award: Michigan International Speedway
Wheaties Fuel Most Popular Driver Award: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Buddy Shuman Award: Richard Childress
NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award: Toyota
Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award: Andy Lally
Growth Energy American Ethanol Green Flag Restart: Matt Kenseth
Coors Light Pole Award: Carl Edwards
Mobil 1 Driver of the Year Award: Tony Stewart
DIRECTV Crew Chief of the Year Award: Bob Osborne
MOOG Chassis Part Problem Solver of the Year Award: Alan Gustafson
O’Reilly Auto Parts Position Improvement Award: Tony Stewart
Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award: Roush Fenway Racing #99
Mahle Engine Builder of the Year Award: Roush Yates Engines #99 (Doug Yates)
Goodyear Gatorback Belts & Hoses Fastest Lap Award: Kyle Busch
Sunoco Diamond Performance Award: Tony Stewart
Goodyear Tires Award: Tony Stewart
Champion Sponsor Award: Office Depot and Mobil 1
Champion Crew Chief: Darian Grubb
Following is a rundown of tomorrow’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week activities.
Friday, Dec. 3
2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony: The big show starts at 6 p.m. (9 p.m. ET), crowning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and team Stewart-Haas Racing, and honoring the other drivers who finished in the top 10 in the final series standings. The star-studded entertainment lineup for the ceremony includes country music icon Reba as host, a performance by Grammy-award winning rocker Kid Rock, as well as performances by two recent additions: up-and-coming country artist Ella Mae Bowen and Broadway sensation Jersey Boys. SPEED, SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio and MRN Radio will broadcast the event, live at 9 p.m. ET.(NASCAR)(12-1-2011)
Day 2: 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart Finishes First Again: Tony Stewart’s on a roll. And that’s a good feeling when you’re in Las Vegas. Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Ryan Newman won Wednesday’s “This Ain’t the Newlywed Game,” a riff on the television original hosted by Bob Eubanks. Stewart and Newman edged the team of Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch by most accurately recalling the estimated attendance of March’s Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The game had a myriad of humorous moments – some broad, others ribald – and in some cases more resembled a roast of the top 12 finishers in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Stewart, who suggested engineering graduate Newman would be a better driver “if he didn’t think all the time,” got in the final zinger to his teammate’s incorrect answer that he would be the driver the champion most likely would bump out of the way on the final lap to win the race. “I figured you’d pick me,” said a disappointed Newman. Stewart answered, “There you go thinking again.” Stewart thought Newman’s answer would’ve been “Brian Vickers.”
Carl Edwards said Roush Fenway Racing partner Matt Kenseth would be a better driver “if he didn’t qualify in the back.” Kenseth responded, “Are you kidding me? I beat Ryan Newman for poles this year.” Actually, they both won three Coors Light Poles during the 2011 season. Kenseth set up Eubanks by telling Edwards his most annoying habit was always being late. Eubanks said, “Even late crossing the finish line” in reference to Edwards’ second-place finish to Stewart in the championship deciding race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. “This could be the end of my career,” said Eubanks. “I’m not sure I’ll ever do it again but it’s been fun.”
The Newlywed-style event, held on downtown Las Vegas’ historic Fremont Street Experience, drew several thousand fans. Some carried signs welcoming their favorite drivers.
The six teams were comprised of Stewart/Newman, Hamlin/Kyle Busch, Edwards/Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr./Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon/Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski/Kurt Busch.
There were other activities as well, as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week rolled into its second day working toward Friday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet at Wynn Las Vegas. Travis Pastrana sat for a featured one-on-one interview during Wednesday’s second and final day of the Motorsports Marketing Forum at Caesars Palace. Pastrana noted his recovery process from a broken ankle, which delayed his NASCAR Nationwide Series career, saying, “I actually became a bigger fan and feel like I learned a lot by watching on television.” Pastrana said the biggest challenge he faces in 2012 is working with crew chief and crew to make the optimum adjustments. “In Rally, if you want to make up time, you can take chances to jump up further,” he said. “In NASCAR, you really have to not only know what the car is doing, but how to relate that.”
Stewart hosts the popular 5th Annual “Stewie Awards” with co-host Matt Yocum at 9:30 pm/et Thursday on the SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. The Stewies honor the best, boldest and funniest moments from the NASCAR season. Thursday is Champion’s Week longest day with the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, NASCAR Victory Lap and NASCAR After the Lap on the schedule (NASCAR)(11-30-2011)
2011 Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart poses with his trophy during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week on Nov. 29, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev.
(photo credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Day 1: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week 2011: Tony Stewart left Las Vegas Motor Speedway a second-place finisher last March but returned to Las Vegas as No. 1 on Tuesday to begin celebrating his third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. It’s Stewart’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas. His 2002 and 2005 titles were celebrated in New York City. There was perhaps a bit of déjà vu during Tuesday’s annual Landmark Photo Shoot, with the faux Big Apple skyline of New York, New York appearing as background in one of the shots. “There’s so much to do here in Las Vegas,” said Stewart. “It’s the perfect place to have the year-end celebration. I look forward to having everyone from the Stewart-Haas Racing team, Office Depot and Mobil 1 here on Thursday night and spending some time with them." Stewart hit a number of notable Las Vegas photo op hot spots for the traditional photo shoot. On this year’s agenda: the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, the iconic lion outside the MGM Grand Hotel and an evening shoot at the Foundation Room in the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, which overlooks the Las Vegas strip.
Stewart also participated in interviews with ESPN Radio, four Las Vegas television stations, members of the print media, all culminating with an appearance on MRN Radio’s NASCAR Live With Eli Gold. No surprise – Stewart admits to being a bit winded during his cross-country championship festivities that followed his Nov. 20 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Miss Sprint Cup, Monica Palumbo, accompanied the champion on his Las Vegas media rounds and suggested Stewart “had better be on your game this week” because it will be a busy four days, culminating with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards Banquet on Friday night at The Wynn Resort. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week festivities begin in earnest on Wednesday at Las Vegas’ famed downtown Fremont Street where Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts a Newlywed Game-type competition featuring the top-12 drivers.
Tuesday also marked the opening day of the NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum being sponsored for the 12th year by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal. The conference, featuring an array of insight from sports and marketing executives from within and outside the motorsports industry, continues Wednesday at Caesars Palace. Stewart was interviewed to open the two-day event. Among the attendees and panelists were NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps, Chief Operating Officer of NASCAR Media Group Jay Abraham and NASCAR Managing Director, Entertainment Marketing and Business Development Zane Stoddard. Dylan Kwasniewski and Darrell Wallace Jr., two of NASCAR’s stars of the future, were also among first-day participants.(NASCAR)(11-29-2011)
Las Vegas Motor Speedway to host free NASCAR Fanfest on Fremont Street Nov. 30: Las Vegas Motor Speedway will kick off NASCAR Champion’s Week in Las Vegas with the NASCAR Fanfest at the Fremont Street Experience on Nov. 30. The event, free to the public, will be the first involving the 12 Chase drivers during this year’s celebration of the NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. The highlight of the event will be a Newlywed Game-type show involving the 12 Chase drivers.
“We think this is going to be the best event of Champion’s Week,” said LVMS president Chris Powell. “It not only gives the fans a chance to get close to the 12 top drivers in NASCAR, but it also allows the fans to see them in a much more relaxed environment without their fire suits and helmets. This is one of the best fan events in NASCAR. We really appreciate the assistance of Boyd Gaming, Sprint and Coca-Cola for helping make this event happen.”
Bob Eubanks, the man who made The Newlywed Game famous and hosted variations of the show in six different decades, will be on hand to host the game show courtesy of event cosponsor Boyd Gaming. “This is really going to be a lot of fun,” Eubanks said. “It may be the first time we have done the show where the couples aren’t actually married to each other, but some of these guys probably spend more time around each other than they do their own wives.”
The event, which will be held on the Third Street Stage on Fremont Street adjacent to the Fremont Hotel and Casino, will begin at 1:30 p.m. with a celebrity question-and-answer session. The drivers are expected to arrive at approximately 2:15 p.m. and will walk a red carpet through the crowd en route to the stage.
Six fans – each assigned to one pair of drivers – also could win big prizes if their “couple” wins the game show. The speedway will choose five through social networking and media promotions. One lucky fan will be chosen on site to be matched up with a racing couple. The fan paired with the winning team will receive tickets to Friday’s Champion’s banquet at the Wynn Las Vegas as well as weekend suite passes for the March 9-11, 2012 NASCAR Weekend at LVMS.
Following the game show, Nashville recording artist Scotty Alexander will play for an hour as the Fanfest leads into the Downtown Hoedown. In addition, show cars of many of the Chase drivers will be on display, and the Sprint Experience will be open beginning at noon. Eubanks will be available for autographs at the Fremont Hotel and Casino immediately following the show.(LVMS)(11-29-2011)
Tony Stewart emerges from his #14 Chevy in Victory Lane at Homestead-Miami Speedway
after winning the Ford 400 and claiming his third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship on Sunday, Nov. 20.
(photo: Getty Images)
Tony Stewart Wins 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship: Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Tony Stewart went from all-time great to legend, capturing his third career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in grand fashion – a number that places him among a short list of historic NASCAR figures. With a victory in Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Stewart became the seventh champion to win the season finale in his championship season. He out-dueled runner-up Carl Edwards in a finale befitting a championship showdown, tying Edwards in points – but winning the championship on a tiebreaker. Stewart's five wins bested Edwards' one, clinching the title for Stewart.
Stewart won his first championship in 2002 and second in 2005. The Indiana native now joins David Pearson, Lee Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough – all NASCAR Hall of Fame members or inductees – as three-time champions. Nine drivers in NASCAR Sprint Cup history have won three or more championships.
Stewart entered the season-ending race trailing Edwards by three points. It marked the second consecutive season and fourth time since the inception of the position-based points system in 1975 the champion has overcome a points deficit entering the final race. Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing with Gene Haas, is the first driver-owner to claim the championship since Alan Kulwicki in 1992. The 2011 season is the organization's third under its current ownership.
Stewart failed to win a race during the 26-race regular season. But he quickly caught fire, winning the first two races of the Chase, at Chicagoland Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He ultimately won five times – twice on consecutive weekends – to break the record for most Chase wins in a single season. Stewart has won 11 times in Chase history, second only to Jimmie Johnson's 20. Entering Sunday's season finale, Stewart had led the points just twice in 2011, ironically after Edwards' only victory in Las Vegas and following the fall race at New Hampshire. He finished the year with 44 career victories, tied for 15th on the all-time wins list. Those wins wound up trumping Edwards' consistency during both the regular season and the playoffs. Stewart's nine top-five and 19 top-10 finishes trailed Edwards, however, the series-high five wins ultimately were the decisive factor in the championship's outcome.(NASCAR)(11-22-2011)
Stewart wins at Homestead AND the Championship: #14-Tony Stewart won the FORD 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway for his 44th career win and 5th of the season and the chase. With the win Stewart captures his 3rd NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship. Stewart and #99-Carl Edwards, who finished 2nd, tied with 2403 points, but Stewart wins the champions by the tiebreaker, 5 wins to 1. It is the 2nd time in Edwards career that hew has finished 2nd in the Championship. Stewart is the first owner-driver to win the championship since Alan Kulwicki in 1992.
The rain started to fall just after Stewart pulled in to victory lane.
#99-Edwards finished 2nd followed by #56-Truex Jr., #17-Kenseth, #24-Gordon, #33-Bowyer, #4-Kahne, #29-Harvick, #11-Hamlin and #31-Burton.
There were 26 lead changes among 15 drivers and 8 cautions for 54 yellow flag laps and an 1 hour and 14 minute red flag for rain. The attendance is listed as 73,000, up from 65,000 last year.
Scheduled Race Re-Airs: Monday, November 21 at 1:00am/et on ESPN2; Wednesday, November 23 at 12:00pm/et on SPEED
See race results, awards, laps led and more on Jayski's Homestead Race Results/Awards page.
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.
For the owner points standings, see my Owners Points Standings page.(11-20-2011)
Kid Rock To Open NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony: The house will be rockin’ – literally – when Kid Rock takes the stage to open the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Dec. 2 at Wynn Las Vegas. NASCAR announced that the renowned singer-songwriter and musician will perform the title track and lead single “Born Free” from his latest platinum-selling album, which was released last November. Kid Rock joins multimedia superstar and event host, Reba, on the list of top name celebrities performing at the year-end awards ceremony.
Much like Reba, Kid Rock is a natural fit for NASCAR as a mainstream artist who appeals to a wide fan base, as his past hits have ranged from country to hard rock to rap. Kid Rock also aligns nicely with NASCAR through his sense of pride for America. He performed live for U.S. troops during an MTV USO Special at Ramstein Air Base in Germany in 2002, recorded “Warrior” for a National Guard advertising campaign in 2008 and regularly makes charitable contributions to “Operation Homefront”, which provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.
Kid Rock attends many NASCAR events as a fan and remains close friends with Tony Stewart after narrating Tony’s documentary “Tony Stewart: Smoke” in 2002. Reba will perform the song “Turn on the Radio” from her recently released album “All the Women I Am,” on The Valory Music Co. Other special segments involving Reba also are planned for the season-ending celebration that will be broadcast by SPEED, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and MRN Radio (9 pm/et) from Wynn Las Vegas.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony is the culmination of Champion's Week, a week-long postseason celebration consisting of several days of high-energy and fan-friendly activities involving the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and drivers who finished in the top 12 of the series' final standings and competed in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.(NASCAR)(11-10-2011)
Reba To Host Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony: NASCAR announced that renowned multimedia superstar Reba will serve as the host for the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Dec. 2 at Wynn Las Vegas. The ceremony honors the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and other drivers who finished in the top 10 of the final series standings. Increasingly, it has become a full-fledged entertainment experience with appearances by major celebrities. In addition to her host duties, Reba will perform the song "Turn on the Radio" from her recently released album "All the Women I Am," on The Valory Music Co. Other special segments involving Reba also are planned for the season-ending celebration that will be broadcast by SPEED, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and MRN Radio from the Wynn's LaFite Ballroom. Other entertainment-related announcements regarding the awards ceremony are expected in the near future.(NASCAR)(11-2-2011)
NASCAR Takes Over Las Vegas for Champion’s Week: You’ll find no clocks in any Las Vegas casino, but come late November and early December, everyone knows what time it is anyway. It’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week, a championship celebration that has risen in both stature and anticipation in a town known for marquee events – Las Vegas, Nev. Now in its third year in Las Vegas, the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week both honors the champion of the sport’s premier series as well as regales a loyal and passionate group of folks – the fans. NASCAR’s annual week-long celebration culminates with the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 2 at one of the world’s premier resorts, Wynn Las Vegas. SPEED will once again provide same-day coverage starting at 9:00pm/et. Other details regarding the event, such as entertainment planned, will be announced at a later date.
A capper to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the week-long celebration once again features fan-favorite activities such as the NASCAR Victory Lap down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip; NASCAR After The Lap, an anything-goes Q&A session between fans and drivers; and the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon, the annual affair where drivers and teams collect a number of year-end awards and accolades.
For the third consecutive year, fans will join drivers, team owners and industry leaders in celebrating the NASCAR Sprint Cup champion at the awards ceremony. Approximately 300 tickets are available to fans, which are being distributed by tracks, NASCAR partners and teams through various fan promotions. Tickets will offer fans access to the following Champion’s Week experiences:
· NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon
· NASCAR After The Lap
· Fan reception & Red Carpet walk prior to the awards ceremony
· NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony
Following is a rundown of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week activities, all times local.
Tuesday-Wednesday, Nov. 29-30
· NASCAR 2011 Motorsports Marketing Forum: The NASCAR Motorsports Marketing Forum is the motorsports industry’s most comprehensive business forum. This is the twelfth year that Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal has hosted the conference, which will feature an array of insight and perspective from sports and marketing executives both within and outside the motorsports industry. Registration is required at www.motorsportsmarketingforum.com.
Tuesday-Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 3
· NASCAR Pit Stop Tour: The Pit Stop Tour program will run from Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 3, consisting of Official Partner show cars placed in iconic locations throughout the Las Vegas strip. Brand ambassadors at each location will be on site from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, engaging fans. The planned locations include the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, the World of Coke, New York, New York hotel, Fashion Show Mall, Fremont Street, Bally’s and Harrah’s. Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota will be showcasing their vehicles to fans (Ford at Bally’s; Chevrolet at Fashion Show Mall; Toyota at New York, New York; and the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion's stock car at the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign).
Wednesday, Nov. 30
· Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s Champion’s Week Kickoff Event: Held on Fremont Street, this free event starts at 2:15 p.m. and will feature a Newlywed Game-type competition among the top-12 drivers. Drivers will be randomly paired by drawings in groups of two, and will answer questions about each other mirroring the famous Newlywed Game style. Each team will also be paired with a fan. The winning drivers and fans will receive suite passes for next year’s NASCAR weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Thursday, Dec. 1
· NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon: This will begin at 11 a.m. in the Bellagio Ballroom at the Bellagio. This annual industry/media gathering includes the presentation of awards to the Champion Crew Chief, Champion Sponsor, Sunoco Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Driver. Co-hosted by NASCAR and National Motor Sports Press Association, fans can attend this exclusive event for the second-consecutive year.
· NASCAR Victory Lap: Set for 3 p.m., the fan-favorite NASCAR Victory Lap will feature the top 12 drivers parading – with engines growling – down the famed Las Vegas strip in their teams’ respective race cars. NASCAR Victory Lap will feature an authentic pit stop along the route and two burn-out sections for drivers. NASCAR Victory Lap will start in front of Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard and end at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
· Coca-Cola Fan Zone: Fans can get a front-row seat for the conclusion of NASCAR Victory Lap at the Coca-Cola Fan Zone, a free event located at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. Beginning at noon, the Coca-Cola Fan Zone offers interactive displays from The Sprint Experience, Game Show Network, Ford, Coca-Cola, and is a prelude to NASCAR After the Lap.
· NASCAR After the Lap: Starting at 4:30 p.m., NASCAR After The Lap is one of the highlights of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week. Tickets for the third-annual event will be available for purchase at NASCARafterthelap.com for $20 each, with proceeds benefitting The NASCAR Foundation, a non-profit organization which raises funds that support children’s charities and important causes throughout the nation. Sponsored by Ford Motor Company and Coca-Cola, the event is renowned for its unfiltered, “tell-all” format featuring the 2011 top-12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers.
Friday, Dec. 2
· 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony: The big show will start at 6 p.m. at the Wynn Las Vegas, crowning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion driver and owner – and honoring the other drivers who finished in the top 10 in the final series standings. SPEED provides same-day coverage, starting at 9 pm/et.(NASCAR)(10-3-2011)
NASCAR Sets Dates, Sites For 2011 Postseason Shows: NASCAR has announced dates and sites for its 2011 postseason championship celebrations. Riding the momentum of 2010’s highly successful awards shows, all of this year’s events will return to the same sites. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony will again be held at Wynn Las Vegas. This year, the ceremony is set for Friday, Dec. 2 and will feature the top 10 drivers in the final series standings. The event will culminate NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week in Las Vegas.
As in previous years, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony will be accompanied by a number of events designed with fans and media in mind – starting with the immensely popular “NASCAR Victory Lap,” an annual procession of the top 12 drivers in their race cars on Las Vegas Blvd., followed by NASCAR After The Lap, a Q&A event with the top 12 drivers; and the yearly NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon. Details for these events – as well as many others that will provide a lead-in to the ceremony – will be announced later this year.
In addition, the combined awards banquet for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will take place in South Florida at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, one of the jewels of the South Beach area. The date is Nov. 21, the Monday following the season-ending Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
NASCAR’s celebration of the top short-track drivers from throughout North America will return to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C. for a special week of activities concluding with the crowning of NASCAR’s developmental series champions.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet will be Friday, Dec. 9. The NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Banquet – celebrating the champions of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (East and West), the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the NASCAR Mexico Series presented by Toyota – will be held the following day, Saturday, Dec. 10.(NASCAR)(4-20-2011)
