For Danica Patrick, the 2013 NASCAR annual awards banquet was far from just a night of celebrations. However, what did not go down well with Patrick left NASCAR champ Kevin Harvick in stitches.
NASCAR’s annual awards banquet is often a night of reflection, recognition, and appreciation, a chance for drivers, teams, and fans to look back on the season with both pride and perspective. But every now and then, it delivers moments that go down in motorsports history for entirely different reasons.
Back in 2013, the star-studded gathering in Las Vegas featured all the usual glitz and glamour, with drivers in tuxedos, crews celebrating milestones, and champions basking in well-earned glory.
Yet amid the celebratory toasts and championship speeches, it was a single one-liner by host actor and comedian Jay Mohr that stole the show and left Patrick with a frown.
Kevin Harvick Cry With Laughter While Danica Patrick Left Stone-Faced
The savage moment in question came courtesy of Mohr, the evening’s host, who didn’t shy away from playful jabs in his monologue.
As he scanned the crowd, his eyes landed on trailblazing NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, a pioneer in a male-dominated sport and one of the most talked-about and recognizable personalities in the garage.
With the timing of a seasoned stand-up, Mohr turned to Patrick, who was seated towards the front, and delivered the now-iconic line, “I hope you’re not too uncomfortable tonight, I know you’re not used to being this close to the front.”
Jay Mohr's toast to Danica Patrick at the 2013 NASCAR Awards Banquet
Jay Mohr: "I hope you're not too uncomfortable tonight, I know you're not used to being this close to the front."
Danica: 😐
Kevin Harvick: 😂 pic.twitter.com/MX3ukWtZIL— nascarman (@nascarman_rr)
The joke instantly sent the room into a frenzy. Cameras quickly captured the reactions of Patrick, stone-faced and unamused, sitting beside then-boyfriend and rookie of that year, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The camera’s also captured, just a few tables over, a completely undone Harvick, struggling to hold back laughter. Harvick found the joke so hilarious he was nearly on the verge of tears of laughter.
Mohr then went on to poke fun at Patrick for her lack of NASCAR victories and her relationship with fellow driver Stenhouse. Despite most in the audience bursting with laughter, Patrick barely cracked an awkward smile during the roasting while Stenhouse stared blankly off into the distance. Both looked like they wanted to be anywhere but in that banquet hall.
In a sport known for its intense rivalries, high-speed drama, and larger-than-life personalities, fans saw a rare glimpse of Harvick enjoying the lighter side of competition just a little more than expected.
Years later, that Patrick roast still circulates on social media, highlighting not only its comedic sting but also the way it perfectly captured the unpredictable driver roasts only NASCAR’s offseason can provide.