Day 3: Grubb Stands Tall; Stewart Gets Call
* Award Winners Announced At Annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon
* Fans Line The Strip For NASCAR Victory Lap Return, NASCAR After The Lap

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 1, 2011) – 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 No. 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.

Continue reading “Photos: Champion’s Week Las Vegas 2011 – Victory Lap, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Popular Again”