NASCAR Cup Series

Rock Lobster: Loudon's Sprint Cup trophy unlike any other

Published Sep. 20, 2014 10:30 a.m. ET

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There are plenty of cool trophies in NASCAR, but none of them quite compare to the one given to the winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 

Along with the traditional hardware, the driver that wins at the 'Magic Mile' is also given a live rock lobster. Provided by Makris Lobster and Steak House in Concord, N.H., the winning driver hoists the living crustacean before usually making one heck of a post-race meal. 

Started years ago, the tradition of earning a rock lobster at the end of the day is something drivers and fans certainly have fun with. 

So it led us to wonder, who has the biggest lobster?

Jimmie Johnson was the first New Hampshire winner to be presented with the lobster in 2010. 

Jimmie Johnson (R) is presented with a large lobster by New Hampshire Motor Speedway Executive Vice president Jerry Gappens, after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 27, 2010.

Clint Bowyer wasn't exactly sure what to do with his lobster when he won the Chase race in 2010. 

Clint Bowyer recieves a huge lobster during Victory Lane ceremonies at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 19, 2010.

An avid fisherman, Ryan Newman is used to scoring big catches like the one he took home in the summer of 2011. 

Ryan Newman holds up a lobster in Victory Lane after he won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17, 2011.

Tony Stewart made it an all Stewart-Haas Racing feast by winning the Chase race in 2011. 

Tony Stewart celebrates in victory lane with a ceremonial winner's lobster after winning the Sylvania 300 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 25, 2011.

Kasey Kahne's winning lobster had a claw nearly as big as Kahne's head in 2012. 

Kasey Kahne celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 15, 2012.

Denny Hamlin was a little nervous holding the beast after his Chase win in 2012. 

Denny Hamlin poses in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 23, 2012.

Hamlin's crew chief Darian Grubb had no issues, though. 

Darian Grubb celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SYLVANIA 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 23, 2012.

Brian Vickers showed last season that anyone can take home the lobster. 

Brian Vickers celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Camping World RV Sales 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 14, 2013.

Joe Gibbs Racing's Matt Kenseth was all smiles showing off his new prize during last year's Chase race. 

Brad Keselowski, who has been dominant so far this weekend, avoided injury early this year when he held the live lobster at the end of the day. In fact, he let crew chief Paul Wolfe, team owner Roger Penske and girlfriend Paige White have a turn at holding the massive crustacean. 

Keselowski's crew chief Paul Wolfe holds the rock lobster after winning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July. 

Track owner Bruton Smith (left) and Speedway Motorsports Inc. EVP Don Hawk (right) helps team owner Roger Penske (middle) hold the trophy in New Hampshire Motor Speedway Victory Lane in July. 

According to bonappetit.com, there is a three-phase process to dealing with the lobster once presented to the driver in victory lane.

First, the lobster poses for photographs with the winning driver (like he really has a choice).

Second, a team from Makris pressure cooks the lobster and takes out about six pounds of meat. The team then flash freezes the meat, packages it and ships it to the team's race shop. 

Finally, a taxidermist "reassembles the shell, repaints it to look like an uncooked lobster, and mounts it as a trophy," which is then shipped to the winning driver. 

So who will be hosting a lobster dinner later this week? Whoever it is, let's hope they have the right music playing when they serve the lobster. 

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