Author: Zach Albert
Date: Dec. 5, 2014
Jay Mohr roasts 2014 Sprint Cup Series champion before giving him his due
LAS VEGAS -- The spot at the head table at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards was all Kevin Harvick's, with wife DeLana and 2-year-old son Keelan joining the Stewart-Haas Racing group in the celebration. The only problem was that host Jay Mohr had become accustomed to finding six-time champion Jimmie Johnson and Co. to his right, jokingly mistaking the Harvicks' identity.
The jokes came fast and heavy in Friday night's awards gala at the Wynn Las Vegas with first-time champion Harvick not immune from Mohr's skewering. But there were also moments of sincerity among the levity as a family photo of father, mother and young son cherishing their victory moment was shown on the screen.
"It's pictures like this that show you what NASCAR is all about," Mohr said. "And we all know in this room, it's about family. This is a family, and Kevin Harvick, my friend, what better way to celebrate your first Sprint Cup Series championship than here tonight being honored by your NASCAR family."
Harvick's closing kick to the season, with wins in the final two races of 2014, captivated fans and the industry in the first year of the new playoff format, but so did the season-long show of speed that made his No. 4 Chevrolet the car to watch nearly every single weekend. Friday night, he gave his words of thanks after a well-earned first title.
"From a kid in Bakersfield who just wanted to race," Harvick said, "just wanted to live out his dream, just for fun, did it as a hobby, this season has been a dream come true."
With this season's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field expanded under the new format, all 16 qualifiers walked the red carpet and were honored on stage at the black-tie event. Almost all took some good-natured ribbing from the comedian/host.
Mohr initially opened up with the promise of a "kindler, gentler" monologue after last season's stint as presenter got him on Danica Patrick's bad side. This year, the targets were wide-ranging -- everything from NASCAR's winner stickers, Joey Logano's pit-crew misstep in the championship race and Michael Waltrip's tenure on "Dancing with the Stars" made the joke list.
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