December the 2-6 is a big week for NASCAR. It’s championship week in New York City. There are several activities going on during this week that any NASCAR fan would enjoy being a part of. As a NASCAR fan and a NASCAR tourist here are a few events that you might want to take in or watch during championship week. Some of the events are free while others will require a fee.

Aflac’s Fan Fest will take place December 4th through the 6th. It is an ultimate 3-day free NASCAR fan experience. That’s right it’s free. There are numerous events taking place that the NASCAR fan will want to check out. Most events will take place at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. There will several musical and stage performances, contests and prizes. There will be NASCAR driver appearances, highlight video’s, and product displays. Sirius XM radio will be on hand, as well as Starbridge comic’s, EA Sports NASCAR 09 video games, a Harlequin NASCAR series author for a Q&A session. That’s for all us ladies that enjoy a hot steamy NASCAR romance now and then. Gavin DeGraw will also give a private acoustic set for a group of NASCAR fans and VIP’s. No tickets will be sold to the event, but if you stop by the NASCAR Tailgate city, you could win tickets.

NASCAR Tailgate City sponsored by Ford is basically and old fashioned outdoor block party. It will feature all kinds of celebrity appearances and driver appearances. The food will be served tailgate style and fans can participate in all kinds of interactive experiences. There will be the Tire Change Challenge, Aflac race simulators, a remote control race car track and the Sprint Cup Series trophy display. The Ford Sound Stage will feature many musical guests as well as contests and prizes. There will be a driver and crew chief Q&A session and Buckle Up America will give an educational program.

There are several other activities going on in different areas of New York through out the week including the flipping of the switch to begin the countdown to Championship week atop the Hard Rock Café marquee in Times Square on December 3rd.

Fans can also watch the Awards Ceremony live on ESPN Classic at 9 PM ET on December 5th. It’s always nice to see our drivers out of their fire suits and into their tuxes. They clean up well.

It should prove to be an exciting week in NASCAR and I hope that some of you NASCAR fan’s and tourists will be able to take part in some of the festivities. There are several things that free to the public and would make a wonderful NASCAR experience to remember.