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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. Mike Matheny Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. Tyler ONeill Cardinals Jersey . James, who turned 29 on Monday, injured his groin Friday during the Heats overtime loss at Sacramento. He sat out the following game, a 108-107 win Saturday in Portland, before coming back to help send the Nuggets to their seventh consecutive loss. https://www.cheapcardinalsonline.com/464t-austin-gomber-jersey-cardinals.html . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. Marcell Ozuna Cardinals Jersey . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Kolten Wong Cardinals Jersey . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well.GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers have released linebacker Desmond Bishop. The move Monday was expected as a cost-saving measure. Bishop was due to make $3.464 million this season after missing all of last year with a hamstring injury. The 28-year-old inside linebacker had 310 tackles, nine sacks, seven forced fumbles and an interception since the Packers took him in the sixth rround of the 2007 draft.dddddddddddd He played in 69 games, making 26 starts, and was part of the squad that won the Super Bowl following the 2010 season. Shortly before his release was announced, Bishop said on Twitter he would take many memories and friendships from Green Bay. He says hes, "Forever grateful," and followed it with the hashtag "Pack." ' ' '