Joe Biden drag-racing Colin Powell is just what we needed – thank Jay Leno

Vice President Joe Biden speaks with Jay Leno and former secretary of state Colin L. Powell next to a restored 1967 Corvette on “Jay Leno’s Garage.”  David Lienemann, White House

Vice President Joe Biden got into a bit of a drag race with former secretary of state Colin L. Powell on Wednesday’s episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” and it just might be the nonpartisan moment we all needed after a contentious presidential election.

The CNBC series features the former “Tonight Show” host, a noted car enthusiast, interviewing celebrities about their treasured automobiles. This week’s episode found Leno in the passenger seat of Biden’s beloved 1967 Corvette Stingray. The restored classic was a wedding gift from Biden’s father, who owned a car dealership.

The vice president was excited to be back behind the wheel – he told Leno that he had driven the car only three times since he was first sworn in as vice president nearly eight years ago. (As we learned during Michelle Obama’s Carpool Karaoke ride on “The Late Late Show With James Corden,” the Secret Service isn’t keen on letting heads of state or their spouses go out on drives.)

As the pair cruised around a Secret Service training facility, they discussed Biden’s passion for speed, his father’s dealership and the first car the vice president drove on a date. At one point, a 2015 Corvette Stingray began tailing them. “Wonder who that cowboy is,” Biden said, glancing into his rearview mirror. The other driver zoomed past as Leno noted, “He’s got better brakes than you.”

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“He’s got better everything than I do,” Biden said before trying to catch up. Eventually, the owner of the newer model was revealed to be Powell, who served during George W. Bush’s administration. Despite his Republican leanings, Powell voted twice for President Barack Obama and endorsed Hillary Clinton last month.

The episode was filmed earlier this year. In June, Leno told NBC’s “Today” that Biden was “doing burnouts,” alarming his Secret Service handlers. “Then Colin Powell pulls up in his Corvette and they really start trash talking each other,” Leno added. “And they both peel out and the Secret Service was, well, upset would be the word.”

“But it’s funny,” he added.

Biden’s appearance on Leno’s show marked the second time the vice president offered a lighthearted moment as some Clinton supporters and Trump critics were left reeling by Tuesday’s election. As Obama addressed the nation Wednesday following Trump’s win, he said he’d “lost elections before,” but that “Joe hasn’t.”

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Biden smiled and put his hand on Obama’s shoulder. “Remember, you beat me badly,” he joked.