FEBRUARY 10, 2008 --

The NASCAR 2008 season opens with the prestigious Daytona 500 February 17. Kevin Harvick, last year's Daytona winner was in Manhattan for a quick media visit, including a stop at ABC on West 44th Street and a NASCAR lunch with reporters at Gallagher's Steak House on West 52nd Street.  

At lunch, Harvick indicated that a leading question this season is the impact of the economy on NASCAR's fans and sponsors.

Acknowledging that he is a fan of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, Harvick told reporters he enjoyed the Super Bowl and was glad to see the Giants win. (Harvick's NY visit was scheduled prior to the Super Bowl and the Giants' victory celebration.)

A few miles south of Gallagher's, the Giants were honored with a parade up lower Broadway and a ceremony at City Hall.

Among the vast crowds who came out to cheer the Giants for their  17-10 Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots were thousands of people who formed their own parade on Church Street, one block west of Broadway, and beyond sight of the victorious Giants.

A Giants' believer a few blocks away from the City Hall ceremony honoring the football team that in winning the Super Bowl gave the favored New England Patriots their first loss of the season.

NY -- but the team's home field is in NJ.

The rear of City Hall is visible at the right rear of this image, showing a cluster of fans on Broadway  It is not likely that these fans could see the City Hall ceremony.

Giant fans on Church Street, one block west of Broadway.  Ground Zero is visible at the right.