2022 NASCAR Awards Banquet @ NASHVILLE

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December 1, 2022

The NASCAR Awards Banquet returned to Music City for a second year in a row. Technically it should have been the fourth after The red carpet ceremony moved from Las Vegas to Nashville in 2019, but the event was cancelled like everything else in 2020. Championship weekend was slightly scaled back from 2021 with the noticeable omission of crowd favorite "Burnouts on Broadway". The banquet will celebrate the season's victories and winners of the three Series: Joey Logano, Ty Gibbs and Zane Smith.

Peacock had the exclusive rights and viewers were unable to watch the full stream until Saturday @ 7c.

The juxtaposition of seeing Nascar in suits rather than firesuits was entertaining. Some of the interviews revealed BTS stories such as Alex Bowman arriving in athletic socks and Willy Byron searching for someone to tie his tie. Drivers were quizzed on their favorite Christmas movie and whether they knew what designer they were wearing. Marty Smith from ESPN got quite a few nods as the go-to fashion consultant for many drivers. Chase Elliott was notably lacking a hat but enjoyed a few laughs as he explained away YRB's disparaging campaign that he has "never used a fork and a knife" to eat wings. I'm hoping more attempts by drivers to vie for MPD will continue next year. Mock debates on the "After the Lap" stage would be an absolute delight.

NMPA Most Popular Driver awards were announced. This award, sponsored by Hooters opens voting through November allowing the fans to voice their appreciation. The winner in the Truck series division was Hailie Deegan, who has taken that title consecutively. The winner of the Xfinity series was Noah Gragson, his first. And for the 5th straight year, NASCAR's "Golden Boy" took home the fan awards trophy. Sorry Blaney. Nice try bud.

Comedian John Crist was among the guests the year.

@Mere.Bernhard