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{{Use American English|date=November 2023}} |
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{{short description|American sports commentator}} |
{{short description|American sports commentator}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| image = Kelli Stavast.jpg |
| image = Kelli Stavast.jpg |
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| caption = Stavast in 2011 |
| caption = Stavast in 2011 |
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| nationality = American |
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| birth_date = |
| birth_date = |
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| birth_place = [[Colorado]], U.S. |
| birth_place = [[Colorado]], U.S. |
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| occupation = TV sports announcer |
| occupation = TV sports announcer |
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| years_active = 2002–2021 |
| years_active = 2002–2021 |
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| spouse = Gavin |
| spouse = Gavin Kelly |
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'''Kelli L. Stavast''' is an American [[sportscaster]] who formerly worked for [[NBC Sports]] as a pit reporter for both their [[NASCAR]] (in both the [[NASCAR Cup Series|Cup]] and [[Xfinity Series]]) and [[IndyCar Series]] coverage. She has reported for numerous other forms of motorsports throughout her career, as well as [[Diving at the Summer Olympics|diving]] at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]] and [[Freestyle skiing at the Winter Olympics|freestyle skiing]] at the [[2018 Winter Olympics]] in [[Pyongchang]]. |
'''Kelli L. Stavast''' is an American [[sportscaster]] who formerly worked for [[NBC Sports]] as a pit reporter for both their [[NASCAR]] (in both the [[NASCAR Cup Series|Cup]] and [[Xfinity Series]]) and [[IndyCar Series]] coverage. She has reported for numerous other forms of motorsports throughout her career, as well as [[Diving at the Summer Olympics|diving]] at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]] and [[Freestyle skiing at the Winter Olympics|freestyle skiing]] at the [[2018 Winter Olympics]] in [[Pyongchang]]. |
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==Early life and education== |
== Early life and education == |
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Stavast was raised in Denver, Colorado.<ref name="Hamilton 2015">{{cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Scott |title=Hamilton: Pit reporter Stavast has one crazy office |url=https://journalnow.com/sports/national/hamilton-pit-reporter-stavast-has-one-crazy-office/article_e96550d1-9071-5ad7-aa12-cc2ac915f1b7.html |access-date= |
Stavast was raised in Denver, Colorado.<ref name="Hamilton 2015">{{cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Scott |title=Hamilton: Pit reporter Stavast has one crazy office |url=https://journalnow.com/sports/national/hamilton-pit-reporter-stavast-has-one-crazy-office/article_e96550d1-9071-5ad7-aa12-cc2ac915f1b7.html |access-date=November 2, 2021 |work=Winston-Salem Journal |date=September 16, 2015}}</ref> She attended [[Chapman University]] where she graduated in 2002 with a broadcast journalism degree.<ref name="Norwood" /> |
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==Career== |
== Career == |
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In 2015, Stavast joined NBC's returning [[NASCAR on NBC|NASCAR coverage]] as a pit reporter. She was announced to be joining the broadcast team on January 22, 2014, along with Marty Snider.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Estrada |url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2014/01/22/marty-snider-kelli-stavast-added-to-nbcs-nascar-on-air-team/ |title=Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast added to NBC's NASCAR on-air team |website=[[NBC Sports]] |date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2020}}</ref> They would be joined by [[Dave Burns (sportscaster)|Dave Burns]] and [[Mike Massaro]] (announced later in the year) as NBC's four pit reporters for the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series. Stavast was the only original member of the NBC broadcast team hired without |
In 2015, Stavast joined NBC's returning [[NASCAR on NBC|NASCAR coverage]] as a pit reporter. She was announced to be joining the broadcast team on January 22, 2014, along with Marty Snider.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Estrada |url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2014/01/22/marty-snider-kelli-stavast-added-to-nbcs-nascar-on-air-team/ |title=Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast added to NBC's NASCAR on-air team |website=[[NBC Sports]] |date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2020}}</ref> They would be joined by [[Dave Burns (sportscaster)|Dave Burns]] and [[Mike Massaro]] (announced later in the year) as NBC's four pit reporters for the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series. Stavast was the only original member of the NBC broadcast team hired without prior experience covering NASCAR, although she did report for other forms of motorsports for NBC, [[Speed (TV network)|Speed]], and [[ESPN]] including the [[Grand-Am Road Racing|Grand-Am]], [[American Le Mans Series]] (and those two series when they merged to become [[International Motor Sports Association|IMSA]]), [[Stadium Super Truck Series]], and [[Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series]].<ref name="StavastInterview2019">{{cite web |first=Phil |last=Alloway |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2019/04/23/the-life-of-a-pit-reporter-courtesy-of-kelli-stavast/ |title=The Life of a Racing Pit Reporter: Kelli Stavast |website=Frontstretch |date=April 23, 2019 |access-date=August 8, 2020}}</ref> |
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She was also a reporter for NBC coverage of diving at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, as well as freestyle skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyongchang.<ref name="Norwood">{{cite web |first=Robyn |last=Norwood |url=https://news.chapman.edu/2018/02/06/nbc-broadcaster-kelli-stavast-olympics-assignment/ |title=Kelli Stavast '02 Takes on Olympic Assignment for NBC |website=[[Chapman University]] |date=February 6, 2018 |access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> Stavast interviewed skier [[Madison Olsen]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Rosenthal |title=Needed: Less Tara, Johnny, more Scott |url=https://digitaledition.chicagotribune.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=4a9d9160-74be-447f-b887-e2865bbe318b |access-date=October 21, 2021 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> |
She was also a reporter for NBC coverage of diving at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, as well as freestyle skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyongchang.<ref name="Norwood">{{cite web |first=Robyn |last=Norwood |url=https://news.chapman.edu/2018/02/06/nbc-broadcaster-kelli-stavast-olympics-assignment/ |title=Kelli Stavast '02 Takes on Olympic Assignment for NBC |website=[[Chapman University]] |date=February 6, 2018 |access-date=August 9, 2020}}</ref> Stavast interviewed skier [[Madison Olsen]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Rosenthal |title=Needed: Less Tara, Johnny, more Scott |url=https://digitaledition.chicagotribune.com/tribune/article_popover.aspx?guid=4a9d9160-74be-447f-b887-e2865bbe318b |access-date=October 21, 2021 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> |
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On October 2, 2021, Stavast interviewed [[Brandon Brown (racing driver)|Brandon Brown]] after his victory at the [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|Xfinity Series]]' [[2021 Sparks 300|Sparks 300]], while the crowd was chanting |
On October 2, 2021, Stavast interviewed [[Brandon Brown (racing driver)|Brandon Brown]] after his victory at the [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|Xfinity Series]]' [[2021 Sparks 300|Sparks 300]], while the crowd was chanting "Fuck Joe Biden" in the background.<ref name="Long 10-30-2021">{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=Colleen |date=October 30, 2021 |title=How 'Let's Go Brandon' became code for insulting Joe Biden |url=https://apnews.com/article/lets-go-brandon-what-does-it-mean-republicans-joe-biden-ab13db212067928455a3dba07756a160 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |work=[[The Associated Press]]|quote=The crowd behind him was chanting something at first difficult to make out.}}</ref> During the interview, Stavast misquoted the chant as, "[[Let's Go Brandon]]". It is unclear whether she legitimately misheard the chant or whether she intentionally misquoted it.<ref name="Fryer 11-05-2021">{{cite news |last1=Fryer |first1=Jenna |title=NASCAR denounces 'Let's go, Brandon' conservative rally cry |url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-entertainment-sports-business-united-states-f9bb6c6cb77a78f1302f4f08640cc973 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |work=[[The Associated Press]] |date=November 5, 2021}}</ref> After footage of the interview went [[Viral video|viral]], the phrase "Let's Go Brandon" became a [[political slogan]] and a [[meme]] to mock president [[Joe Biden]] as a [[minced oath]].<ref name="Bremner 10-21">{{cite web|last1=Bremner|first1=Jade|title=Why are MAGA supporters chanting 'Let's Go Brandon' to mock Democrats?|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maga-lets-go-brandon-meme-biden-b1938322.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019130436/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/maga-lets-go-brandon-meme-biden-b1938322.html|archive-date=October 19, 2021|access-date=October 21, 2021|work=[[The Independent ]]}}</ref><ref name="Linskey 11-15-2021">{{cite news |last1=Linskey |first1=Annie |title=How 'Let's go Brandon' became an unofficial GOP slogan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lets-go-brandon-republicans/2021/11/14/52131dda-4312-11ec-9ea7-3eb2406a2e24_story.html |access-date=November 19, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 15, 2021}}</ref><ref name="WaPo 10-23-21">{{cite news|last1=Parker|first1=Ashley|last2=Wolf|first2=Carissa|date=October 23, 2021|title=Biden's critics hurl increasingly vulgar taunts|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-vulgar-signs-chants/2021/10/22/6071836e-3122-11ec-a880-a9d8c009a0b1_story.html|url-status=live|access-date=October 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023103033/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-vulgar-signs-chants/2021/10/22/6071836e-3122-11ec-a880-a9d8c009a0b1_story.html|archive-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> It was Stavast's last race with NBC Sports, who did not retain her for later broadcasts and quietly removed her from the staff directory. ''[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]'' writer Kelly Crandall noted in late 2023 that Stavast "has been quiet" since the race.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Pruett|first1=Marshall|last2=Crandall|first2=Kelly|url=https://racer.com/2023/12/06/the-racer-mailbag-december-6/5/|title=The RACER Mailbag, December 6|magazine=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|date=December 6, 2023|access-date=October 3, 2024}}</ref> |
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== Personal life == |
== Personal life == |
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Stavast moved to Las Vegas |
Stavast moved to Las Vegas in 2016 to be with her fiancé Gavin Kelly, who is also an American sportscaster covering NASCAR and IndyCar Series. The couple were introduced to each other through [[Kurt Busch]], who is a close friend of Gavin's.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ryan|first=Nate|date=May 9, 2017|title=NASCAR on NBC podcast, Ep. 77: Kelli Stavast on covering racing (and many other sports)|work=[[NBC Sports]]|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/05/09/nascar-on-nbc-podcast-ep-77-kelli-stavast-on-covering-racing-and-many-other-sports/}}</ref> |
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<ref>{{cite web | url=https://playerswiki.com/kelli-stavast | title=Kelli Stavast }}</ref> |
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==References== |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
== External links == |
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* [https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/kelli-stavast/ Kelli Stavast NBC bio (NASCAR)] |
* [https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/kelli-stavast/ Kelli Stavast NBC bio (NASCAR)] |
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* [https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/kelli-stavast-3/ Kelli Stavast NBC bio (Olympics)] |
* [https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/kelli-stavast-3/ Kelli Stavast NBC bio (Olympics)] |
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Latest revision as of 07:59, 3 October 2024
Kelli Stavast | |
|---|---|
 Stavast in 2011 | |
| Born | Colorado, U.S. |
| Occupation | TV sports announcer |
| Years active | 2002–2021 |
| Spouse | Gavin Kelly |
Kelli L. Stavast is an American sportscaster who formerly worked for NBC Sports as a pit reporter for both their NASCAR (in both the Cup and Xfinity Series) and IndyCar Series coverage. She has reported for numerous other forms of motorsports throughout her career, as well as diving at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and freestyle skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyongchang.
Early life and education
[edit]Stavast was raised in Denver, Colorado.[1] She attended Chapman University where she graduated in 2002 with a broadcast journalism degree.[2]
Career
[edit]In 2015, Stavast joined NBC's returning NASCAR coverage as a pit reporter. She was announced to be joining the broadcast team on January 22, 2014, along with Marty Snider.[3] They would be joined by Dave Burns and Mike Massaro (announced later in the year) as NBC's four pit reporters for the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series. Stavast was the only original member of the NBC broadcast team hired without prior experience covering NASCAR, although she did report for other forms of motorsports for NBC, Speed, and ESPN including the Grand-Am, American Le Mans Series (and those two series when they merged to become IMSA), Stadium Super Truck Series, and Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series.[4]
She was also a reporter for NBC coverage of diving at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, as well as freestyle skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyongchang.[2] Stavast interviewed skier Madison Olsen.[5]
On October 2, 2021, Stavast interviewed Brandon Brown after his victory at the Xfinity Series' Sparks 300, while the crowd was chanting "Fuck Joe Biden" in the background.[6] During the interview, Stavast misquoted the chant as, "Let's Go Brandon". It is unclear whether she legitimately misheard the chant or whether she intentionally misquoted it.[7] After footage of the interview went viral, the phrase "Let's Go Brandon" became a political slogan and a meme to mock president Joe Biden as a minced oath.[8][9][10] It was Stavast's last race with NBC Sports, who did not retain her for later broadcasts and quietly removed her from the staff directory. Racer writer Kelly Crandall noted in late 2023 that Stavast "has been quiet" since the race.[11]
Personal life
[edit]Stavast moved to Las Vegas in 2016 to be with her fiancé Gavin Kelly, who is also an American sportscaster covering NASCAR and IndyCar Series. The couple were introduced to each other through Kurt Busch, who is a close friend of Gavin's.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ Hamilton, Scott (September 16, 2015). "Hamilton: Pit reporter Stavast has one crazy office". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ a b Norwood, Robyn (February 6, 2018). "Kelli Stavast '02 Takes on Olympic Assignment for NBC". Chapman University. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Estrada, Chris (January 22, 2014). "Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast added to NBC's NASCAR on-air team". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
- ^ Alloway, Phil (April 23, 2019). "The Life of a Racing Pit Reporter: Kelli Stavast". Frontstretch. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
- ^ Rosenthal, Rosenthal. "Needed: Less Tara, Johnny, more Scott". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Long, Colleen (October 30, 2021). "How 'Let's Go Brandon' became code for insulting Joe Biden". The Associated Press. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
The crowd behind him was chanting something at first difficult to make out.
- ^ Fryer, Jenna (November 5, 2021). "NASCAR denounces 'Let's go, Brandon' conservative rally cry". The Associated Press. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ Bremner, Jade. "Why are MAGA supporters chanting 'Let's Go Brandon' to mock Democrats?". The Independent . Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
- ^ Linskey, Annie (November 15, 2021). "How 'Let's go Brandon' became an unofficial GOP slogan". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ Parker, Ashley; Wolf, Carissa (October 23, 2021). "Biden's critics hurl increasingly vulgar taunts". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall; Crandall, Kelly (December 6, 2023). "The RACER Mailbag, December 6". Racer. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Ryan, Nate (May 9, 2017). "NASCAR on NBC podcast, Ep. 77: Kelli Stavast on covering racing (and many other sports)". NBC Sports.