They said it: Quotes from Awards Ceremony
By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
January 12, 2002
2:27 AM EST (0727 GMT)
LOS ANGELES -- Fittingly, Kevin Harvick’s championship speech was the best of the night at the NASCAR Busch Series Awards Banquet in Beverly Hills Friday night, but he wasn’t the only individual to crack up the crowd at the posh Regent Beverly Wilshire.
Here’s what they said:
-- Tenth place finisher Kenny Wallace, on his excitement of getting back on the track:
“I guess this is in memory of Dale, because he used to say it a lot. Drop the rag and let’s get to Daytona. God I love racin’.”
-- Eighth place finisher Jimmie Johnson, on the support of NASCAR’s loyal fans:
“Their support helps us from getting real jobs.”
-- Seventh place man Mike McLaughlin, who due to his diminutive stature required a stool to stand on during his speech, on his sponsor’s work in NASCAR racing:
“I’d like to thank MBNA for being the official credit card of NASCAR, and I’d like to thank those of you who have the Mike McLaughlin credit card. There’s about five of you out there. Thank you for your support.”
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Elton Sawyer
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-- Elton Sawyer, the Busch Series’ fifth-place finisher, on the more than $311,000 he earned in 2001 despite his current employment status, or lack thereof:
“That’s pretty good! Especially for a guy that’s unemployed.”
-- Raybestos Rookie of the Year winner Greg Biffle to his girlfriend Nicole on what she endured during his first Busch Series season:
“To Nicole, I don’t know how she puts up with me. But, I got a new motor home for next year, so maybe she’ll cut me a little slack now.”
-- Jason Keller, the third-place finisher in 2001, on the events of the season:
“I know if you’re like me, you held your children just a little longer, a little tighter than in years past. I want to thank our Armed Forces for keeping America the home of the brave.”
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Jeff Green
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-- Runner-up finisher and 2000 champion Jeff Green, commenting on Biffle’s boxing display at Richmond after tangling with Jay Sauter. Following the incident, Sauter said Biffle was no Muhammad Ali.
“Congratulations to Greg Biffle. You’re a great racer, man, but you’re not Muhammad Ali, I’ll tell you that.”
-- Green, on the Hutchens head and neck restraint device, and how Tony Stewart dislikes wearing such devices.
“I want to the thank Bobby Hutchens for a great head and neck restraint device that’s comfortable to wear -- just ask Tony Stewart.”
-- Richard Childress, out of admiration for the leader of the NASCAR regime:
“Bill France, you’re my hero buddy. Thank you for everything.”
-- NASCAR president Mike Helton, congratulating Harvick on a stellar year:
“Kevin, your year this year will go down as the most uniquely impressive year any driver, in any form of motorsports, has ever achieved. For that, you should be proud.”
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Kevin Harvick with wife Delena Harvick.
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-- Harvick, discussing his rookie year when he finished second at Daytona in his first race, then failed to qualify the next week at Rockingham:
“I was MIA for a while. I even turned up on a milk jug.”
-- Harvick to Childress, regarding next season, his second in Winston Cup and first with volatile teammates Robby Gordon and Jeff Green:
“Richard and Judy, thanks for putting up with me. Now, you’ve got me, Robby and Jeff. We’ll be sure to check your blood pressure at the end of the year.”
-- Harvick, giving words of advice to new ACDelco pilot Johnny Sauter:
“Johnny, if you need help finding a seat in the blue (NASCAR) trailer, just aim for (Jeff Green’s) yellow car, that’s what I did.”
And that, folks, concluded the night: A wonderful time had by all.
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