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Kevin Harvick criticizes Morgan Freeman as Grand Marshal for NASCAR at Las Vegas race

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•03/18/25•

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Morgan Freeman
Jan 21, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Morgan Freeman accepts the 54th Annual SAG Life Achievement Award at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY NETWORK

Morgan Freeman was the grand marshal for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, and Kevin Harvick had an issue with it. On Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Harvick said Freeman’s appearance as grand marshall was not good.

“I’m just going to be honest with you, I thought his command was not very good,” Harvick said. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that exciting.”

Kevin Harvick then said that Freeman’s command was “casual” while again saying it wasn’t “very good.” He added, “Just kind of came across as ‘Eh, I don’t want to be here.’ That’s how it felt to me. If you’re going to be the grand marshall and you’re going to give the command, you better bring the heat.”

Morgan Freeman has some history with NASCAR

NASCAR announced that Morgan Freeman would be the grand marshall of the Pennzoil 400 in early March. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be chosen as the grand marshal for this NASCAR race,” Freeman said in a press release. “It’s a true honor to be part of such an incredible tradition, and I can’t wait to see the energy, passion, and excitement that fills the track. Let’s rev up those engines and make this race unforgettable!”

Freeman is no stranger to NASCAR as he’s narrated several documentaries about the sport. The 87-year-old was one of the many celebrities who have made their way to Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the years. Some notable stars who have visited the race track were  Las Vegas Raiders A.J. Cole, Vegas Golden Knight Adin Hill and former Vegas Golden Knight William Carrier, legendary car builder Carroll Shelby, actor Mark Wahlberg, comedian Tim Allen, former Raiders Marcus Allen and Derek Carr, actor Cole Hauser, socialite Kim Kardashian, country music group Rascal Flatts, noted broadcaster Brent Musburger, legendary musician John Fogerty and UFC President Dana White.

Morgan Freeman is one of the biggest stars to be grand marshall for a NASCAR race. In his career, Freeman has won one Academy Award, two Gold Globe Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has also earned five Emmy Award nominations and one Tony Award nomination. Freeman is known for his roles in movies such as Lean on Me, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Millon Dollar Baby.