Kevin Harvick is set to retire from the NASCAR Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2023 season but it is not for performance reasons like many drivers in the past. In fact, Harvick is still pretty competitive for a 47-year-old.
The Stewart-Haas Racing driver sits fifth in the point standings with a 25-point deficit to the points leader. Harvick has been one of NASCAR’s most consistent drivers with four top-5 finishes, seven top-10 finishes, and a 12.3 average finishing position this year.
While he is still missing that elusive victory in his farewell campaign, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about his goals for the 2023 season. Harvick’s performances have even caught the eye of a very important figure within Stewart-Haas Racing.
Related: Kevin Harvick talks about picking a driver for the No. 4 car in 2024
Stewart-Haas Racing gives high praise to Kevin Harvick for on-track and off-track purposes
Harvick has been one of NASCAR’s most consistent drivers since his full-time entry into the NASCAR Cup Series in 2001 and that has carried into 2023. In fact, he almost turned that consistency into a win earlier in the year.
Phoenix Raceway has been Harvick’s best track since joining Stewart-Haas Racing and it looked like he was on his way to a 10th Cup Series victory at the venue earlier in the season. Unfortunately for him, a late caution ruined his chances of winning after dominating the Final Stage.
Kevin Harvick’s career stats (Cup Series): 60 wins, 249 top-5s, 437 top-10s in 806 starts
While Harvick didn’t come home with the victory, it has shown that he can still be a contender when given the right car and circumstances. This is why the 47-year-old driver has been getting the attention of those within the organization.
Stewart-Haas Racing owner Tony Stewart went on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, and discussed Harvick as he continues to grow on and off the race track at this point in his career.
“I feel like it’s important for fans to realize, whether they like (Kevin Harvick) or not, he’s one of the most well rounded drivers that NASCAR has right now. He understands all of it. He’s passionate about all of it, if somebody is screwing up, he’s going to tell you you’re screwing up. He’s not telling you that and trying to make you mad, he’s not trying to belittle you, he’s telling you that because he wants you to be better and he wants the scenario to be better.”
Tony Stewart on Kevin Harvick’s attitude toward Stewart-Haas Racing
Harvick has become a true leader as he has progressed in his career and it has bled into other areas of NASCAR. Several young drivers gave high praise to the California native for the way he accepted and offered them support whenever he is needed.
The driver of the No. 4 car’s appeal has translated to the business side of NASCAR too. Harvick has received interest from organizations that include leadership and ownership roles following his retirement. However, he is expected to focus on his FOX Sports booth duties in 2024.
Stewart continued talking about Harvick and it is clear how highly he thinks of the 2014 Cup Series champion in his retirement season.
“I am a huge Kevin Harvick fan. From the outside, let alone working with him. Because I see how he runs and operates his teams. He makes my job a lot easier on that No. 4 car. The rest of them are a lot harder to deal with but Kevin has his hands around all of it and understands it better than most people in the industry do.”
Tony Stewart on Kevin Harvick’s involvment with the No. 4 team
It is interesting to note how hands-on Harvick has been with the No. 4 team because the performance gaps are very noticeable. Harvick sits fifth in the points standings with the next Stewart-Haas Racing driver being Ryan Preece in 25th place.
Chase Briscoe was slammed with one of the biggest penalties in NASCAR history so it did affect his overall position; however, the No. 14 team has struggled over the last month. The difference between the two teammates is glaring on the surface.
It will be impossible to replace Harvick but Stewart-Haas Racing has no other choice. The team is planning to sign JR Motorsports driver Josh Berry as his replacement with Aric Almirola still “widely expected” to retire at the end of the year too.
Harvick’s departure is set to shake the organization. There is no right way to replace a NASCAR legend and everyone within Stewart-Haas Racing understands that fact. There is nobody like him and that is why he has seen so much success over the last decade.
In the meantime, whether you are watching it live or looking for how to watch NASCAR on TV or another streaming platform, Sportsnaut has you covered for the upcoming race weekend at Nashville Superspeedway!