On the November 8 episode of Dale Jr. Download, Kevin Harvick was the guest. During the nearly two-hour conversation, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who retired from full-time competition in the NASCAR Cup Series at the end of the 2023 season, said he does not would never compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race again, but that he is open to hosting events in other series.
“I’m not sure yet. The door is open,” Harvick said when asked if he was willing to drive race cars after this year. “I’ll never drive Cup again. Ever. “
As for why he wouldn’t dip his toe into the NASCAR Cup Series again, Harvick believes it’s nearly impossible to get in and out of the Cup Series and remain a competitive force.
“I just can’t compete. I can’t force myself to go out there and say, “I’m looking for a top 30 today.” “That’s what it would be,” Harvick explained. “I tell you. You’d be lucky to run 30th.
As for who he would drive for and what he might drive, Harvick is completely open as he has no ties to any particular manufacturer. Its KHI Management Late and Very Late Model program fielded Ford Mustang bodies as it was tied to Ford through its driving contract with Stewart-Haas Racing, but with its driving contract completed, Harvick n t has no allegiance to any manufacturer, and neither does its short track team.
“In my mind, the late model teams were an asset to KHI Management. KHI Management will still operate with driver representation, sponsors and everything we do,” Harvick said. “For me, when I went to all those late model races, I was like, ‘Man. It’s hard to see your guys get in cars and do things you know nothing about. So the theory is, okay, we’re going to have the late model teams, the supers and the late model stocks for our customers to ride in the cars, and we’ll use the cars for our customers or special events, like (Dale Jr.) did it with Larson.
“If we have to put a Ford driver or a Toyota driver in a CARS Tour race, then that’s what we’ll do. We’ll take the nose out and put a Toyota in it, or we’ll put a Ford in it. I’ll be the guy who says, well, Dale can’t do this, I can do this. And we’ll put them in our car.
Toward the end of the topic, Harvick reiterated that he thought he wanted to drive something in 2024, but he wasn’t sure exactly what. Harvick expressed that he definitely wants to do grassroots events or fun things.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. then asked him about the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series or the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and Harvick said he would be open to it, but would refuse to do it in the high-pressure way Earnhardt has directed recently. a few years in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Earnhardt fielded a fifth car, the No. 88, for himself, but that car enters the events with almost no owner points, meaning Earnhardt had to time the car in the field in terms of speed during qualifications.
“I’m not going to do it that way. Certainly not. You are a brave man,” Harvick laughed.
Just because he retired from NASCAR Cup Series racing, don’t expect Harvick to ever wear a fire suit, helmet and gloves again.
