Tuxedos and tire rubber don't usually mix. But once a year, the grime of the garage gets traded for the glitz of the step-and-repeat. If you've been following the sport for a while, you know the post-season banquet is basically the prom for gearheads. The NASCAR awards red carpet used to be a Nashville staple, with the neon of Broadway as the backdrop, but things felt a little different this time around.
The 2025 celebration recently wrapped up at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was a shift. A big one. After years of the "Music City" vibe, moving the gala to the desert right after the season finale at Phoenix Raceway changed the energy. Honestly, it made sense. No one had to fly halfway across the country two weeks later.
The 2025 Champions and the Scottsdale Style
Kyle Larson. Jesse Love. Corey Heim.
These were the guys everyone wanted a photo with. Larson, representing Hendrick Motorsports, walked the carpet with his wife Katelyn and their kids, Owen and Audrey. He’s often called "Yung Money," and he leaned into it by wearing a literal money necklace.
It was a vibe.
The red carpet wasn't just about the guys in the driver's seat. It's a family affair. You saw Shane van Gisbergen—the road course wizard—posing with his wife, Jessica. He took home the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors after a five-win campaign that basically rewrote the record books for road racers.
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Who Wore What?
- Kyle Larson: Traditional black tux, but that money chain stole the show.
- Jesse Love: The Xfinity champ looked sharp, though he spent most of his speech later that night trying not to cry.
- Denny Hamlin: Appeared with his fiancée, Jordan, and daughter, Taylor. Hamlin is a red carpet pro at this point.
- Chase Briscoe: Rocked a classic look while celebrating his move to Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2025 season.
The fashion at these events is always a mix of "I've never worn a tie before" and "I have a personal stylist." You could tell who was comfortable in the Scottsdale heat. The desert sun is a lot different than the rainy November nights we used to see in Nashville.
Why Did the Red Carpet Move?
People were kinda surprised when NASCAR announced the move away from Nashville. For four years, Tennessee was the home of Champion's Week. But the logistics were a nightmare for teams based in North Carolina who had to go to Phoenix, then back home, then to Nashville.
By holding the NASCAR awards red carpet in Scottsdale on November 4, 2025—just days after the finale—the industry stayed in the "championship bubble."
It felt more immediate. Raw.
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Rick Hendrick was there, of course. His 15th championship as an owner is a staggering stat. When Kim Coon interviewed him on the carpet, you could see the pride. It wasn't just about the trophies; it was about honoring Jon Edwards, the longtime Hendrick PR director who passed away earlier in the year. Larson dedicated his title to him. That’s the stuff the cameras don't always catch in the chaos of a victory lane.
The Most Popular Driver and Other Hardware
The red carpet is the lead-in, but the hardware is the point. Chase Elliott wasn't the champion this year, but he’s still the king of the fans. He took home the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award again. At this rate, they might as well just rename it the "Chase Elliott Invitational."
It's funny. You see these drivers bump drafting at 190 mph, and then you see them trying to navigate a red carpet without tripping over a long gown.
Key Awards Handed Out:
- Cup Series Champion: Kyle Larson (his second title).
- Xfinity Series Champion: Jesse Love.
- Craftsman Truck Series Champion: Corey Heim.
- Comcast Community Champion of the Year: Daniel Dye.
Daniel Dye’s work with the "Race to Stop Suicide" is genuinely impressive. It’s one of those moments where the sport shows it has a heart bigger than a 750-horsepower engine. He looked genuinely humbled on the carpet.
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The 2024 Charlotte Detour
We can't talk about the current scene without mentioning the 2024 ceremony. That was held in Charlotte. It was the first time the "Queen City" hosted the big show. Joey Logano was the man of the hour then, celebrating his third Cup title.
That event was massive because it was in the industry's backyard.
Shaq (DJ Diesel) performed. It was loud. It was Charlotte.
But Scottsdale 2025 felt more intimate. The JW Marriott setup allowed for a more relaxed "resort" feel compared to the convention center vibes of years past. Whether you prefer the neon of Nashville, the hometown feel of Charlotte, or the desert luxury of Arizona, the NASCAR awards red carpet remains the one night where the "boys have at it" with fashion instead of fenders.
What to Look for Next Season
If you're planning to follow the fashion and the fun for the next awards cycle, keep an eye on the schedule. NASCAR likes to keep us on our toes. The trend seems to be moving toward convenience for the teams, but the glitz isn't going anywhere.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the official NASCAR gallery for the high-res photos of the 2025 Scottsdale event to see the details on those custom suits.
- Look for the televised replay on the CW or Peacock if you missed the live stream.
- Start placing your bets for the 2026 Most Popular Driver—though, let's be real, it's probably going to be Chase Elliott again.
The season is long. The grind is real. But for one night in the desert, everyone gets to be a superstar without having to worry about a pit road penalty.