Heading To The Big City!

November 28, Boyertown, PA--- I went to New York’s 21 Club to celebrate the crowning of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson, during NASCAR’s Champion week in New York City.  The whole atmosphere was incredible.  I feel that I am pretty much an unknown in the NASCAR Journalism community, or so I thought prior to arriving at this event.  This was an invitational lonely event and only about 40 invites went out total to all NASCAR Media Members, and I was picked to attend.  I was so nervous and scared; here I am the new kid on the block attending a gala fit for a king and queen.  I ran into fellow colleague, Vince Bonfigli, who is from my area and with his help I was able to sit with Chip Ganassi and his team. 

The 21 Club is definitely a very fancy, elegant restaurant to say the least.  The food we enjoyed in the Harbor room was outstanding.  I had an unbelievable steak meal and a cheesecake that was unbelievable.  I sat in awe listening to Chip talk and we even discussed Nazareth Speedway, which is the first place I ever saw an Indy race in person, as well as a Busch and truck series event. 

After the meal, I was able to meet all the guests at the event including Juan Pablo Montoya who has an absolute great attitude.  He has a down to earth personality that makes his so warm and inviting to talk to.  I look forward to being able to bring you a story on him in the future.  I had the chance to congratulate Jimmie on his championship and I was able to listen to the interviews taking place.  It was a very brief time for a meet and greet afterwards due to the busy schedule that had to maintain.  

A very small crowd of fans gathered outside Club 21 for a chance to meet their favorite drivers as the left the event and they were not disappointed.  One young fan stood outside in a Jeff Gordon jacket and was so excited that as we left he was telling us how he met Jimmie Johnson.   

After leaving the event I met one of my friends, Lori Fields and had the chance to see the city.  She took me past Rockefeller Center where the tree was being prepared to be lit and I was able to see the store front windows in a variety of stores that were so beautiful.  The city was all ready for Christmas and was so warm and inviting that I have plans to return in a few weeks to see the tree all lit up as well as see more of the sights.