NASCAR BCS (DAYTONA) - Busch Series Champion's Week Preview

In its final season as sponsor of the NASCAR Busch Series, Anheuser-Busch’s Busch brand will celebrate its last title in duplicate.

Friday night at the Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, Fla., Carl Edwards officially will be crowned the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series driver champion. On the same stage in the Tuscan Ballroom, Richard Childress and his No. 29 Chevrolet team will be honored as series owner champion.

It’s only the second time in NASCAR national series history the feat as been accomplished. Richard Childress Racing has been the owner title recipient both times; its first was following the 2003 season.

This week’s festivities begin with a media day at the ESPN Club on Thursday, followed by an event unique to the series’ Champion’s Week activities, hot laps driven by Edwards, Scott Wimmer (representing the owner champion) and the top 10 drivers for media at the 1.5-mile Walt Disney World Speedway.

The key highlights from the NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week schedule:

Thursday – Edwards, Wimmer and the top 10 drivers (including NASCAR NEXTEL Cup double-duty drivers such as Zephyrhills native David Reutimann, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth) will gather for NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week Media Day at the ESPN Club on Disney’s Boardwalk from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig will make announcements surrounding the 2008 season-opening Camping World 300 – the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race – and the 50th running of the Daytona 500. The drivers will meet with numerous outlets from national, regional, state and local print and broadcast media at the ESPN Club and utilize the various platforms available from ESPN for broadcast on programs such as ESPNews, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com and SportsCenter.

Afterwards, drivers head to Walt Disney World Speedway where they will whisk the media around in specially-wrapped cars honoring the champions and commemorating the Busch brand’s tenure with the series. Edwards will be featured on a satellite media tour broadcast from the ESPN Club from 4-5 p.m. Later that evening, he will be honored along with the owner champion team at a private dinner. Anheuser-Busch will host a party for NASCAR Busch Series teams and officials at Universal City Walk.

Friday – Edwards and his team, along with owner champion Richard Childress and the No. 29 team, will participate in the traditional Champion’s Photo Shoot at the Harbor Piazza at the Portofino Bay Hotel. Following photos, both champion teams will join the top 10 drivers and other guests at various receptions leading up to the main event—the NASCAR Busch Series Awards Banquet. The ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Tuscan Ballroom of the Portofino Bay Hotel where Edwards and Childress officially will be honored as the 2007 series driver and owner champions.

Media interested in attending Thursday’s events should contact Sue Redstone (sredstone@nascar.com; 386-947-6870).

Fast Facts What: NASCAR Busch Series Awards Ceremony. Where: Tuscan Ballroom, Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando, Fla. When: 7-10:30 p.m. (ET). Friday, Dec. 7. TV: Tue., Dec. 11, ESPN2, 7-8:00 p.m. (ET). Final NASCAR Busch Series Top 10: 1. Carl Edwards, 4,805; 2. David Reutimann, 4,187; 3. Jason Leffler, 3,996; 4. Kevin Harvick, 3,993; 5. David Ragan, 3,739; 6. Bobby Hamilton Jr., 3,667; 7. Stephen Leicht, 3,603; 8. Marcos Ambrose, 3,477; 9. Greg Biffle, 3,466; 10. Matt Kenseth, 3,451. Raybestos Rookie of the Year: David Ragan. Entertainment: Comedian John Pinette; musician John Ondrasik (lead singer, Five for Fighting)

For additional information, contact: Tracey Judd, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 947-6733 or tjudd@nascar.com.

NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week – 2007 ? Orlando, Florida Schedule Subject to Change

Wednesday, Dec. 5 6-8 p.m. What: Casual gathering for early-arriving media, PR Reps (Pat O’Brien’s; Universal City Walk)

Thursday, Dec. 6 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. What: NASCAR Busch Series Champion’s Week Media Day Where: ESPN Club at Disney BoardWalk Inn Resort Who: 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Champion Carl Edwards and crew chief Pierre Kuettel; 2007 NASCAR Busch Series owner champion representative Scott Wimmer and crew chief Pat Smith; Top 10 drivers; Raybestos Rookie of the Year; representatives from Daytona International Speedway. Etc: Casual interview opportunities for media. Lunch will be served.

1-3:30 p.m. What: Richard Petty Driving Experience hot laps for media Where: Walt Disney World Speedway Who: 2007 NASCAR Busch Series driver champion Carl Edwards; 2007 NASCAR Busch Series owner champion representative Scott Wimmer; Top 10 drivers, Raybestos Rookie.

4-5:00 p.m. What: NASCAR Busch Series champion SMT (Satellite Media Tour) featuring Carl Edwards Where: ESPN Club

9-11:00 p.m. What: NASCAR Busch Series Concert presented by Busch Beer Where: Margaritaville, City Walk Etc: Must be 21 to attend (invitations available from NASCAR PR)

Friday, December 7 4-5:30 p.m. What: NASCAR Busch Series Driver & Owner Champion & Team Photos Where: Harbor Piazza, Portofino Bay Hotel Etc: Rain location TBD

6-7:00 p.m. What: 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Awards Banquet Reception (invitation only) Where: Tuscan Ballroom, Portofino Bay Hotel

7-10:30 p.m. What: 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Awards Banquet Ceremony (invitation only) Where: Tuscan Ballroom, Portofino Bay Hotel

Note: Photo area for award winners presented during the banquet will be located at the far end of the Tuscan Ballroom foyer near stage exit. Award winners will exit the stage and come to the photo area.

DIRECTIONS TO ESPN CLUB FOR THURSDAY, DEC. 6 NASCAR BUSCH SERIES CHAMPION’S WEEK MEDIA DAY (10:30 AM-12:30 PM) & RPDE RIDE ALONGS (1-3:30 PM)

All directions to the ESPN Club lead to the main entrance to Disney's Boardwalk resort. After parking in the Boardwalk parking lot, you'll walk to the front of the Boardwalk resort, go through the breezeway and follow the boardwalk to the right. The ESPN Club is at the end of the Boardwalk on the right. For both events, you’ll enter at the Magic Kingdom. Let the toll attendant know you are heading to the ESPN Club / RPDE to avoid the parking fee.

From the Portofino Bay Hotel: Turn Left onto Universal Blvd. At the third light turn right on Hollywood Way. Travel to the next third light and turn left on Adventure Way. Merge on to I-4 West. Take the 536/EPCOT/Downtown Disney exit (exit 67 – from west, the exit is directly after the Downtown Disney/535 exit). Follow this road, exiting at the MGM Studios/EPCOT resort area exit. This loops you around to Buena Vista Dr. At the fourth stoplight, turn right. (At this turn you will see a sign directing you to turn right for Disney's Boardwalk, as well as a HESS gas station to your right.) Take your first left into the Boardwalk entrance and park.

From I-4 East or West: Take the 536/EPCOT/Downtown Disney exit (exit 67 – from East, this exit is directly after the Wide World of Sports exit, and from west, it is directly after the Downtown Disney/535 exit). Follow this road, exiting at the MGM Studios/EPCOT resort area exit. This loops you around to Buena Vista Dr. At the fourth stoplight, turn right. (At this turn you will see a sign directing you to turn right for Disney's Boardwalk, as well as a HESS gas station to your right.) Take your first left into the Boardwalk entrance and park.

From Kissimmee: Take 192/Vine St. west to 535/Vineland, where you will turn right. Take 535/Vineland to the fourth stoplight, where you will turn left. There are signs at this intersection that point left for Walt Disney World. Follow this road (you'll be heading west on 536/World Center Dr., and will cross over I-4 East and West) and exit at the MGM Studios exit. This loops you around to Buena Vista Dr. At the fourth stoplight, turn right. (At this turn you will see a sign directing you to turn right for Disney's Boardwalk, as well as a HESS gas station to your right.) Take your first left into the Boardwalk entrance and park.

From Orlando International Airport: Take 417 (toll road) west from the airport. Take the exit for 535/536/World Center Dr. Follow the exit straight through the stoplight. Continue on 536/World Center Dr. and exit at the MGM Studios exit. This loops you around to Buena Vista Dr. At the fourth stoplight, turn right. (At this turn you will see a sign directing you to turn right for Disney's Boardwalk, as well as a HESS gas station to your right.) Take your first left into the Boardwalk entrance and park.

Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway 3450 North World Drive, Lake Buena Vista FL 32830

From the Airport: 528 West to I-4. I-4 West to exit 64 (192 West/Magic Kingdom/MGM Studios). Follow all signs to Magic Kingdom.

From I-4 East or Westbound: Exit 64 (192 West/Magic Kingdom/MGM Studios). Follow all signs to Magic Kingdom.

From Hwy 192: Exit at the Walt Disney World exit (no exit #). Follow all signs to the Magic Kingdom.

Upon entering the Walt Disney World property, proceed towards the Magic Kingdom toll plaza. Once through the toll booth, follow the road to the left. You will see signs to the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Continue around the outside of the speedway. To the left, you will see a white security station and tunnel entrance. Proceed through the tunnel to the infield and park in the designated area.