Tom Cruise honours Nascar driver at awards gala

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise made a surprise appearance at the Nascar Sprint Cup Series Awards banquet to honour retiring champion Jeff Gordon.

The audience at the ceremony, held at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, were stunned as the Hollywood star came onstage to introduce the four-time Sprint Cup winner, who is retiring after two decades in the sport.

Jeff, who sat in the audience with his wife and two young children, was seen fighting back tears as Tom delivered a powerful speech about the sportsman, who is one of NASCAR's most successful drivers.

"When you are treated to excellence every day for 23 years, that doesn't go away easily," the "Mission: Impossible" star said of Jeff.

"He brought joy to millions, used his immense and deserved popularity for the betterment of the world both at home and abroad. And although many of us want to say we'll miss you, what we really mean is we thank you."

As Jeff took to the stage, he and Tom embraced and talked privately before the emotional driver took to the microphone.

"I knew that it was going to be a rough night, but that made it tougher," he said.