Brad Keselowski, the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series driver champion, officially will conclude the festivities surrounding his first NASCAR national series title Monday in Columbus, Ohio. He and his #22 Penske Racing team will take part in a full day and evening of activities hosted by series sponsor Nationwide Insurance’s hometown. This is the third consecutive year the driver champion has visited Columbus, and the first time that his entire team has been included. Additionally, Joe Balash, the director of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, will be in attendance. The day starts with a luncheon for the champion driver and his team at the Fawcett Center on the campus of The Ohio State University. After lunch, the group will receive a tour of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, where they’ll see the trophy room (Ohio State has had seven Heisman Trophy winners) and the meeting and weight rooms of the co-Big Ten champion and Sugar Bowl-bound Buckeyes football team. They’ll also tour 102,000-seat Ohio Stadium. Later in the afternoon, Keselowski, Trent Cherry (the pit crew coach of the #22 team), Balash, Dennis Bickmeyer (Senior Vice President, Michigan International Speedway) and John Aman (Associate Vice President, Strategic Sponsorships for Nationwide Insurance) will serve on an internal panel discussion on “Building a Winning Team” for Nationwide Insurance associates. After an exclusive autograph session, Keselowski will join his teammates at Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets, for their 7 p.m. ET matchup with the Dallas Stars. The NASCAR Nationwide Series championship team will be recognized throughout the game, including on-ice promotions and interviews with the Blue Jackets’ television and radio partners. (NASCAR)(12-6-2010)
