If you are going to make a speech at a banquet to honor the champions of the recently concluded NASCAR season, it would probably be a good idea to have at least some basic knowledge of just what the hell NASCAR is.
Otherwise, you are going to make yourself look like a total dumbass, which, of course, is exactly what Donald Trump did last Monday.
The season ended last Sunday for NASCAR's three national touring series at Homestead-Miami Speedway. And as usual, the awards banquet for the two minor-league series -- Nationwide and the Camping World Trucks -- was held the next day in south Florida. Specifically, it was at the Trump National Doral resort, which is probably why The Donald thought it would be a good idea to show up and schmooze with a sports crowd that definitely skews Republican.
Turns out that was a bad idea.
The famous businessman tried to impress people with his knowledge about NASCAR as he congratulated Elliott, truck champion Matt Crafton and Kyle Busch, and even offered his helicopter for use to get to the track if drivers stay at his resort for future Homestead races.
So far, so good. Chase Elliott won the Nationwide Series championship and Matt Crafton won the Truck series title. Kyle Busch, a driver in all three series, won the owner's championship in the Truck Series.
Then Trump showed how little he actually knows about NASCAR.
He did make a little bit of a gaffe when welcoming the crowd and saying, “Congratulations, Kevin, where the hell is Kevin, where is Kevin, what a race that was,” during his welcome.
Yes, that season-ending race that Kevin Harvick won certainly was exciting. The problem is that Harvick won the Sprint Cup Series championship, NASCAR's top series. And the Sprint Cup Series holds its banquet in Las Vegas, not Homestead.
Some drivers still offered kind words for Trump. Others were not so impressed.
“I just got to shake his hand and take a picture with him,” said Kyle Busch. “That was about it. I didn’t talk to him at all. It was just another dude I really know nothing about.”
Probably best to keep it that way, Kyle.