On Friday, the audience at the ceremony, which was held at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, were stunned as the actor of the American action spy film Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - Tom Cruise, came on stage to give an introduction for the four-time Sprint Cup winner - Jeff Gordon, who is going to retire after his two decades in NASCAR.
The American professional stock car racing driver - Jeff Gordon, who was sitting in the audience together with his two young children and his wife, was spotted fighting back tears as the American actor and filmmaker Tom Cruise, gave a powerful speech about Jeff Gordon, who is considered as one of NASCAR's most successful drivers.
The lead man of the Mission: Impossible franchise said of Jeff Gordon (current announcer for Fox NASCAR), "When you are treated to excellence every day for 23 years, that doesn't go away easily. Jeff Gordon brought joy to millions, used his great and deserved popularity for the betterment of the world both at home and overseas. And although many of us want to say we'll miss you, what we really mean is we thank you."
As Jeff Gordon, who drove the No. 24 Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports, took the stage, Gordon and Tom Cruise embraced and talked in private before the emotional car racing driver took the microphone on stage.
Gordon stated, "I knew that it was going to be a rough night, but that made it tougher.''
After the emotional speech of the Golden Globe Awards winner - Cruise, the chairman of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) - Brian France, came on stage to formally give Jeff Gordon the Bill France Award of Excellence in honor of Gordon's spectacular career.
The event also celebrated new series champion, the American professional stock car racing driver and team owner - Kyle Busch. And Busch currently drives the No. 18 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
