For the NASCAR fans that missed the Nextel Cup Awards Show on ESPN Classic on Friday evening, the following are brief summaries of each driver’s segment.

Before continuing on, though, I have to ask anyone who had seen the show: Was anyone else wincing as David Spade did his two monologues? I don’t know if he really is a NASCAR fan or not, but he stated he has been along for a ride with Wally Dallenbach. Was that what made him eligible to be the comedic relief? I didn’t think he was very comfortable, and a few pans of the audience indicated the feeling was mutual.

Fortunately seeing the drivers and their beautiful significant others dressed to the nines took away any pain that listening to a comedian floundering in an unfamiliar environment might cause. Those drivers really do clean up well.

On with the summaries:

10. Kevin Harvick

Comfort Level in front of a live TV audience – 7

He sent out lots of love to Shell, and said that Delana is the glue that holds their world together. For a NASCAR driver, he covered his universe quite well.

9. Carl Edwards

Comfort Level – 8

As a humorous example of becoming a famous person, Edwards commented that this year he hired a person that’s his own boss—someone named Angela.
He gave special thanks to the Edheads, and then closed with something corny and inspirational: If there’s something you want to do, don’t let anything stand in your way.

8. Jeff Burton

Comfort Level – 10

He was his always composed and interesting self, and said with conviction, “The best days of this sport are ahead of it, not behind it.”

7. Kurt Busch

Comfort Level – 7

He summed things up quite succinctly with, “This is the greatest sport, with the greatest fans.”

6. Tony Stewart

Comfort Level – 8

Stewart was dressed all in black, even his shirt, complimenting well his mischievous persona.
Commenting on the video prior to his speech, he said, “When you don’t have a wife, they focus on you and your crew chief.”
Another Stewart chuckle-inspirer, “Look out for Juan Pablo Montoya, with some work someday he’ll be a pretty good driver.”
With Gibbs going to Toyota, I wonder if anyone had a problem with Stewart’s glowing comments about Chevy, and his stated plans to win many more for them.
As Stewart was the only driver besides Jimmie Johnson to have a segment of the show of his own (not shared with other drivers) between commercials, you have to know that the producers realized who to put the focus on. Tony, you didn’t let us down.

5. Kyle Busch

Comfort Level – 7

He stated that he had made it a goal this season to stay out of the big white truck, which inspired a few chuckles.
But he got outright laughs when he took the time to thank Eva again, for the second year running. Good stuff.

4. Matt Kenseth

Comfort Level – 9

Said his beautiful wife Katie should have been in his pre-speech video. Sincere comments like that from a husband get serious brownie points, Matt. Good job.

3. Clint Bowyer

Comfort Level – 8

He said, “Congrats ‘I guess’ to Jimmie and your team,” and delivered it in perfect deadpan.
Another grin-inspirer was, “Kevin Harvick tells me what NOT to do.”

2. Jeff Gordon

Comfort Level – 10

With tears in his eyes, he stated that having Ella and Ingrid in Victory Lane at Talladega was the best.
Said he wasn’t going to cry, but he did; and gets this year’s ‘Awww Factor’ award.

1. Jimmie Johnson

Comfort Level – 9

He received a deserved standing ovation following his introduction.
After all the expected thanks to his team, family, friends, and sponsors, he promised to stay on the golf cart this year.
His wife, Chandra, was seen videotaping him as he did his speech. I chuckled as I thought of any future Johnson children sitting around the TV watching Daddy accept his second NASCAR championship award. Now that’s something to pass on to future generations.