An all-encompassing lineup representing all facets of the NASCAR industry arrive in Nashville, Tennessee, this week as the “Music City” hosts its first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards and end of season activities.
The sport’s top drivers – including recently crowned 2019 Monster Energy Series champion Kyle Busch – will be honored Thursday night in a fittingly “Grand Ole” style, wrapping up a competitive racing season and celebrating a year of achievement for drivers, teams and the entire sport.
Grammy Award nominee and country music star Cassadee Pope will co-host the 2019 Awards alongside NASCAR on NBC’s Rutledge Wood on an evening that will feature an impressive list of special guest performers such as country superstars Cole Swindell and Chris Janson. A full lineup of celebrities and star performers will be performing or presenting awards from Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL running back Eddie George; television personality Kristin Cavallari and her husband, former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler; to music superstar and three-time Grammy winner Darius Rucker, who is currently touring with his popular band, Hootie & The Blowfish.
The “Burnouts on Broadway” will take place on Wednesday – always one of the most popular events of the annual NASCAR Champion’s Week. At 7 p.m. ET, all 16 of the Playoff drivers will hit the streets in their race cars.
And throughout the three-day Champion’s Week celebration the Playoff drivers and cars will be making special appearances at various sites around the city with plenty of autograph and photo opportunities. The Fan Fest will take place at Riverfront Park from 1-9 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Wednesday and from noon-4 p.m. ET on Thursday.
The celebration culminates with Thursday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The popular formal red carpet walk and photo opportunity will take place at the Music City Center to start the evening 5:45 p.m. ET.
Not only will Busch receive his second Monster Energy Series championship trophy this week, the winner of the National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver Award will be announced at the Banquet.
Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, won the 2018 Most Popular Driver Award. His father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, holds the record for wins at 16. Chase Elliott’s former Hendrick teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr. took the honor for 15 years before retiring from full time competition in 2017.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/12/856201/nashville-becomes-nascar-city-for-champions-week