Chase Elliott, Matt Crafton honored last night in Miami (PHOTOS) - MotorSportsTalk

Last night in Miami, NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Chase Elliott and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton were spotlighted in a joint celebration honoring the best drivers from each of the series.

The shindig was big enough to draw the attendance of business mogul Donald Trump, who dropped in to warm up the crowd and perhaps to see how they were enjoying his Trump National Doral Miami, site of the ceremony.

In addition to being honored as series champion, Elliott was named the NNS’ most popular driver during the ceremony. Also honored on the NNS side were Team Penske’s No. 22 team for taking the NNS owner’s title.

For the Trucks, Ryan Blaney picked up that series’ most popular driver award – a nice parting gift for him before he steps up to a mixed Sprint Cup (Wood Brothers) and XFINITY Series (Team Penske) schedule in 2015. Kyle Busch Motorsports’ No. 51 squad were feted as well for their Truck owner’s title.

Zack Albert of NASCAR.com has more from last night’s ceremony, but below are a selection of photos from the evening…

source: Getty Images — Brad Keselowski (left), NASCAR Nationwide Series champ Chase Elliott (second from right) and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champ Matt Crafton (right) meet up with Donald Trump (second from left). Photo: Getty Images)

source: — Matt Crafton talks about his 2014 Truck Series title. Photo: Getty Images.

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Mike Tirico and Danica Patrick will return to NBC Sports’ coverage of the Indianapolis 500, which will be broadcast Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. ET on NBC (green flag at 2:30 p.m.).

Tirico and Patrick, who both joined NBC Sports for its inaugural coverage of the event last year, will reprise their roles as host and studio analyst.

One of the most versatile voices in sports, Tirico also hosts NBC Olympics’ primetime coverage, Football Night in America and many other premier events, including hosting on-site at Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this year for the first-ever IndyCar-NASCAR crossover weekend.

AT THE BRICKYARD: Daily Indy 500 coverage schedule on NBC, NBCSN

He again will be joined during prerace, in-race, and postrace coverage by Patrick, who became the first woman to lead the Indy 500 in 2005 and also was the first female pole-sitter in NASCAR driver.

They will make their debut together duing practice coverage on Aug. 21, on NBCSN.

“My first Indy 500 last year exceeded my very high expectations in every way,” Tirico said in a release. “Although this year’s race will take place under unprecedented circumstances, I can’t wait to get back to Indy. I’m confident that our team at the Brickyard will provide viewers with as exciting a viewing experience as possible. I am also thrilled that Danica Patrick is along for the ride again this year. We had such a great time last May and look forward to bringing Indy home for the viewers again.”

Said Patrick: “The Indianapolis 500 is an event that transcends mainstream and motorsports which is why it’s so special. We are living during a time that if we can bring people together, we should. Even if it’s not physically. I am honored to be back with the NBC Sports team and Mike Tirico. The memories I have from 15 years at IMS hold such a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to make more this year in the booth, or however we are positioned in 2020!”

This will mark NBC Sports’ second season as the exclusive home of the NTT IndyCar Series, including the Indianapolis 500, which will take place in August for the first time ever because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.