Now THIS is the kind of Christmas party we all would like to attend.
Hendrick Motorsports held its annual holiday soiree for its 500-plus employees on Friday. There was plenty of food, drink, fun and camaraderie to celebrate the 2016 season.
All of HMS’s big-name drivers were there, as well. And then things went from cool to waaaaay cool.
Country music superstar Brad Paisley was the entertainment for the night, but even before he got up to sing a few songs, Paisley surprised one of the party-goers, namely, Jeff Gordon.
In much the same fashion as Tom Cruise crashed the NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards Banquet prior to Jeff Gordon’s speech, Paisley crashed the HMS party by driving one of Gordon’s No. 24 cars onto the stage.
As it turns out, the car, which was festooned in a holiday bow, was tabbed to be one of several presents HMS bestowed upon Gordon on the evening.
Given that the race car was a little bit too big to fit under Gordon’s Christmas tree, this was the next best place to give it to him.
Plus, there was a tie-in of sorts for Paisley, whose latest hit, “Country Nation,” has a reference to Gordon’s No. 24 in it. Gordon and Paisley have been longtime friends, including Gordon appearing in the 2011 video of Paisley’s hit song, “Old Alabama.”
Check out some of the tweets from Friday’s holiday cheer – and also check out Gordon’s new goatee that he’s growing:
[embed]
Bout to surprise somebody...shhhhh @JeffGordonWeb pic.twitter.com/A7QkqHeysh
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) December 12, 2015
[/embed]
[embed]
As @BradPaisley would say, there isn't any "mud on these tires!"
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 12, 2015
This is for you @JeffGordonWeb! pic.twitter.com/kj22R15rf9
[/embed]
[embed]
A special guest has arrived...
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 12, 2015
In @JeffGordonWeb's @AxaltaRacing Chevy from @HomesteadMiami! pic.twitter.com/E40Y9zCdKB
[/embed]
[embed]
.@BradPaisley doesn't just sing...
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 12, 2015
He also drives @JeffGordonWeb's car! pic.twitter.com/ONiFymrSVd
[/embed]
[embed]
Honored to know you pal! RT @JeffGordonWeb: What a special night! Great way to wrap up this amazing season & career. pic.twitter.com/4kj1YNE5N8
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) December 12, 2015
[/embed]
[embed]
I'll take two tires...thanks @JeffGordonWeb and Merry Christmas @TeamHendrick ! pic.twitter.com/FWjN4lmPfm
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) December 12, 2015
[/embed]
[embed]
Thank you @JeffGordonWeb for great racing. No hazing the new kid in the press box @AllWaltrip pic.twitter.com/9sNssi0vRt
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) December 12, 2015
[/embed]
Follow @JerryBonkowski