NEWS » with the 48 car, but its been extremely rewarding

New Zealand stayer Benzini will have a Group Three tune-up at Ellerslie ahead of his unexpected trip to Hong Kong to take on the world.Trainers Adrian and Harry Bull accepted a last minute invitation for the Brisbane Cup winner to join a star-studded field in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on December 11.The Bulls then decided to run him as a late entry in Saturdays Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) to give him a hit-out ahead of his flight on Friday with Harry Bull to accompany him to Hong Kong.Its really exciting and it will be a huge experience for Harry. The horse is well too, Adrian Bull told NZ Racing Desk.Kelly McCulloch, the elder sister of Benzinis regular rider Rosie Myers, will fill in for her sibling who had already taken a ride in Saturdays race.The mile will probably be a bit short for him, but with him going to Hong Kong it was a race that fitted in well, McCulloch said.Among Benzinis opponents in Hong Kong will be multiple Group One-winning Irish horse Highland Reel, the winner of last years Vase (2400m). Wholesale Stars Jerseys . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No. Cheap Adidas Stars Jerseys . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. http://www.cheapstarsjerseys.com/ . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. Cheap Stars Jerseys . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. LAS VEGAS -- Chad Knaus had been a champion for six days, but the NASCAR title was so improbable, so unlikely, it still hadnt sunk in for Jimmie Johnsons crew chief.The trigger was a traffic jam on a North Carolina interstate two days after Thanksgiving.I was finally by myself, Knaus said Thursday. I then ran through the emotions of what happened and thats when I got the goosebumps.Knaus received the Champion Crew Chief Award on Thursday, a day before Johnson will be honored for capturing their seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup title together.Also on Thursday, the National Motorsports Press Association awarded its prestigious Myers Brothers Award to the late philanthropist Betty Jane France for her NASCAR contributions. Car owner Jack Roush received the Buddy Shuman Award for his contribution to the sport.Knaus has plenty of experience giving speeches during NASCARs championship week celebration. But he believes this title for the No. 48 Chevrolet team is the most surprising.Some we had to just finish in the top 12, top 15. One time Denny (Hamlin) came in with the points lead on us and we had to beat him and we pulled that off, Knaus said. Honestly, toward the end of that race with 20 to go, not that we gave up, but it was, `Well, its just not going to happen unless something weird shows up. And, hell, something weird showed up.In the season finale at Homestead, Carl Edwards decision to block Joey Logano caused a wreck that wiped out both contenders. Johnson responded with what Knaus called the restart of his life and suddenly Johnson had tied Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most career series titles.One reason why I think this team is sso successful is were not afraid to make changes, Knaus said.dddddddddddd Were not afraid to try something. Even when we do have success, we dont stagnate and just stay in one area and say, `This is the way we have to do it. We change people around, we move people. We change our approach to how we race and our cars.So its been a challenge over the course of 15 years with the 48 car, but its been extremely rewarding as well.Thursdays luncheon also recognized France, who was the widow of former NASCAR chief Bill France Jr. and mother of current Chairman Brian France. She started the NASCAR Foundation in 2006, which has raised more than $25 million for childrens causes around the country.Betty Jane France, who died in August, received the award named after NASCAR pioneers Billy and Bobby Myers.Roush received the award named after racing pioneer Buddy Shuman for his role in the growth of the sport.I generally dont like surprises, but this means a great deal to me, said Roush, who has over 300 wins in NASCARs top three series.The 45-year-old Knaus seven titles are one shy of Hall of Fame crew chief Dale Inmans record. It was one of the things Knaus tried to process as he stuck in traffic last week on I-77.I dont even feel like I deserve to be in the same sentence as that man, Knaus said of Pettys longtime crew chief. Hes an icon of our sport. I think hes an amazing man. Ive known him for, gosh, 26 years, Id say. I have a lot of respect for him. So if I could tie him at some point in time, it would be pretty awesome. ' ' '