On Sunday, March 16, 2025, Morgan Freeman took on the famous NASCAR words, “Drivers, start your engines,” as the grand marshal at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas. There was plenty of buzz around “The Shawshank Redemption” actor’s role, but Freeman’s performance left something to be desired — at least for Kevin Harvick.
During the latest episode of Harvick’s “Happy Hour” podcast, the retired NASCAR champion didn’t hold back when reviewing Freeman’s performance.
Morgan Freeman Not Impressive Enough for Kevin Harvick
Known worldwide for his distinctive voice and legendary narrations, Freeman’s presence at Las Vegas Motor Speedway had fans excited. However, many were underwhelmed by what they felt was a subdued call from the veteran actor.
Harvick echoed that sentiment. While he wasn’t sure exactly what he was expecting, he knew Freeman’s delivery wasn’t it.
“Well, I’m just going to be honest with you. I thought his command was not very good,” Harvick said. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that exciting,” he added via the podcast.
According to Harvick, Freeman gave off an “Eh, I don’t want to be here” vibe. The former champion added that if someone is going to be the grand marshal and deliver the command, “You better bring the heat.”
Ahead of the race, Freeman had expressed excitement about his role in a press release. The actor said he was “absolutely thrilled” to be chosen as the grand marshal and called it an honor to be part of such a tradition. Freeman also shared that he couldn’t wait to witness the excitement of race day.
While Freeman may not have been at his best in Las Vegas, it’s worth noting that the 87-year-old has been dealing with ongoing health issues, which may have affected his performance and delivery.
Following a car accident in 2008, Freeman has suffered from fibromyalgia, nerve damage, and chronic pain. Over the weekend, he was seen wearing a special compression glove on his left hand, which helps improve blood flow and reduce swelling.
While Freeman’s call didn’t live up to expectations, the on-track action certainly delivered. Josh Berry provided the real spectacle, securing a historic victory for Wood Brothers Racing. The win marked the team’s 101st in the Cup Series and locked Berry into the playoffs with his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory.