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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 so successful is were not afraid to make changes, Knaus said. 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. Cheap NBA Jerseys .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Authentic NFL Jerseys . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. https://www.cheapnfljerseysjustwholesale.com/cheap-mlb-jerseys . Michell Burger, a woman who lives on an estate next to Pistorius gated community, said she and her husband were awoken by the screams in the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 14 last year, when Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp by shooting four times through a door in his bathroom. China NFL Jerseys . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Cheap College Jerseys . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. SAN FRANCISCO -- Ronnie Boyce scored 25 points, matched a career-high with 10 rebounds and had a career-best seven assists to lead San Francisco over Troy 79-67 on Wednesday night.Boyce, who entered averaging 29.5 points, shot 8 of 14 from the floor. Jordan Ratinho and Charles Minlend added 11 points apiece for San Francisco (3-0). Nate Renfro chipped in nine points, and had career-highs of nine rebounds and seven assists.Wesley Person scored 24 points and made five 33-pointers to lead Troy (2-3).dddddddddddd Jordon Varnado had 14 points.The game was tied 47-47 with about 12 minutes left. The Dons used a 22-11 spurt and led 69-58 with 4:26 remaining. Boyce scored six points during the stretch. The Trojans pulled 70-64 with 2:43 to play but didnt get closer.It was the first meeting between the schools. ' ' '