NASCAR Champions Week Kicks Off In Charlotte

Regional champs honored this week 

NASCAR’s top drivers throughout its regional touring and weekly series will be in the spotlight this week in Charlotte, N.C., with a bevy of activities leading up to the awards ceremonies Friday and Saturday night.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards will take place Friday, Dec. 13. Among those honored will be the 2013 national champion Lee Pulliam, as well as track champions from 55 tracks across the United States and Canada, state and provincial champions and top rookies. 

"We've been really looking forward to this," said Lee Pulliam, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion. "A lot of hard work has gone into this year to get us to this point. Charlotte was a blast last year, and it's already started off that way this year. 

"I'm just really proud of everybody's hard work and determination that's gotten us here. Getting that handshake from NASCAR President Mike Helton and receiving that coveted trophy, that’s something I've always dreamed of." 

On the following evening, NASCAR’s touring series champions will be recognized at the traditional NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards. Set for Saturday, Dec. 14, honorees will include the champions from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1, Mexico’s NASCAR Toyota Series and NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. 

"It's great - this week is always terrific," said Ander Vilarino, who won his second straight NASCAR Whelen Euro Series in 2013. "All the moments are very special. Just having the car in the NASCAR Hall of Fame -- all the champions cars are there. And you can see Petty's car and Johnson's car and there is our car. 

"And obviously the awards ceremony is the key moment - the most exciting moment of the week - when you receive that NASCAR championship ring."

Both the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards and the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards will be streamed live on NASCARHomeTracks.com. Friday will be in English and Spanish, and Saturday will be in English, Spanish and French. 

NASCAR Champions week kicks off Wednesday, Dec. 11 with the first NASCAR Home Tracks Champions Challenge presented by iRacing.com. 

The unique event will be held on the iRacing simulator pods at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. iRacing.com is the world’s premier motorsports racing simulation which allows drivers, race fans and gamers alike to hone their skills and enjoy the thrill of the racetrack from the comfort of their home.  

The event will kick off at 1:30 p.m., with an autograph session in the Great Hall at the NASCAR Hall of Fame where the championship trophies and cars will be on display with the seven NASCAR touring series champions and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion.  

Fans will be able to sign-up to compete against the champions, including Tyler Hudson, the recently crowned NASCAR iRacing.com Series World champion, in iRacing races from 2-4 p.m. The final championship race will begin at 4:15 p.m. and will feature all nine champions competing against one another.