The NASCAR Awards Banquet is an event that has its roots going deep in the annals of the sport’s history. The very first awards banquet was held in 1950 at the Princess Issena Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida. Over the years, the event has found a special place in fans’ hearts but something about it is different this year. Something crucial has changed in 2023 and fans are not very pleased about it.

The NASCAR Awards Banquet, since 2021, honors the winners of the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series in the same event. Earlier, there used to be separate events for the competitions. While NASCAR may not be devoid of controversies, this year the autoracing company might have to deal with some dissatisfied fans as they are essentially breaking an important tradition that has been passed down for generations.

The rich and sometimes controversial history of the Awards Banquet

The NASCAR Awards Banquet has honored a great many legends over the years. The likes of Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Jimmie Johnson, and others have been to the event as the star attraction. When it comes to American motorsports, the Banquet has been one of the most prestigious events of the year. But that does not mean that it has not had its share of controversy.

In the 2013 edition of the event, actor and comedian Jay Mohr found himself in Danica Patrick’s firing line. The driver had completed her first full-time season in the Cup Series but that did not stop Mohr from repeatedly making jokes at Patrick. The former Stewart-Haas Racing driver did not take too kindly.

When Danica Patrick walked onto the stage to receive an award later on, she said, “I have amazing fans, I’m so fortunate, and I think it’s pretty safe to say Jay Mohr is not one of them.”

The Banquet has also seen some massive non-NASCAR star awards gracing it with their presence. Tom Cruise and Eddie Vedder attended the 2015 and 2016 Banquets respectively, when Jeff Gordon retired in 2015 and Tony Stewart followed suit a year later.

Despite the Banquet’s rich, star-studded history, there is a massive change in 2023 and fans are not really behind it. Eminent NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass shared the unfortunate news on social media while answering a fan’s question. According to Pockrass, this year’s awards event will not be called the NASCAR Awards Banquet. Rather, it is more like a NASCAR awards ceremony, as unlike a banquet, there will be no food involved.

“The NASCAR national series (truck, Xfinity, Cup) awards ceremony (it is not a banquet in the sense there is no meal) is Thursday Nov 30 in Nashville. MRN does a radio broadcast that is streamed on its website and on SiriusXM. Telecast is 7p ET Sunday Dec 3 on Peacock,” Pockrass tweeted while answering a fan’s question.

This revelation by the eminent NASCAR journalist has seen fans rile up against NASCAR on Twitter. The organizers may have a hard time dealing with such angry fans even after the season is over.

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Fans livid as NASCAR turns its back on tradition

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NASCAR’s fanbase has a lot of people who have been following the sport for decades. Seeing the organizers move away from the traditional banquet has not gone down well with them. And in true social media fashion, fans weren’t shy to express their feelings online.

“I miss the old Winston Cup style banquets where top 10 got honored, gave full speeches & saluted the champion. What they do now feels like a Race Hub special on location; rushed & mostly insignificant to everyone except those partying in Nashville on either side of the ceremony,” one fan wrote.

“no meal? r drivers required to show up,” asked another.

The absence of the meal was not the only thing that got on the fans’ nerve. The fact that the event was not even being telecast live was something that a lot of people simply couldn’t get behind.

“Everyone remember it being live on TV instead of it being tape delayed let being on a streaming service where not everyone has let alone can afford?” one user asked.

“Man I remember when this used to be a big deal and it was live on tv. I miss those days,” commented another.

Some people believed that the way NASCAR was going about the awards ceremony business was a slap in the face of the drivers who worked hard all season to be called champions.

“Sounds a bit sad for an awards ceremony!” one fan commented.

“Sad that this is how @NASCAR celebrates it’s champions. 👎” wrote another.

Do you think NASCAR should have kept the traditional banquet for the 2023 awards? Let us know your thoughts.

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