Atlanta Throwback: Kevin Harvick wins emotional race 'for Dale'

On March 11, 2001, Kevin Harvick won his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, it was monumental. Just weeks after Dale Earnhardt died in a wreck at Daytona, Harvick drove The Intimidator’s car to Victory Lane. It was the first win for the driver who would eventually become The Closer.

There wouldn’t be a more fitting throwback race than this one. Atlanta looks a little different now than it did 22 years ago. However, the meaning of that win lives on. This race had a packed crowd flying No. 3 flags and signs and more. It finished with Kevin Harvick edging out Jeff Gordon by inches. It lives on forever, in NASCAR history.

Richard Childress had tears in his eyes. The Fox broadcast booth had tears in their eyes and shaky voices. Harvick drove around in just his third Cup Series start.

“What can be more fitting? What can be more special?” a legendary call for a legendary moment in the sport.

This win and, of course, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s win at Daytona in the same year are the two you think of when you think of that 2001 season after Dale’s death.

He didn’t have the No. 3 on the side of the car. It wasn’t the black Goodwrench scheme. However, it was Dale’s car in Victory Lane that day. The Intimidator looked down on The Closer and a new legend was born.

“None of us expected this this soon and the unfortunate circumstances. All I’ve got to say is this one’s for Dale,” Harvick said after the win.

Kevin Harvick takes one more ride around Atlanta

22 years later, Kevin Harvick is going to take his final ride around Atlanta Motor Speedway. It has been a long and storied career for Harvick. He is a Cup Series champion. He has won 60 races in his career. Harvick has only 48 DNFs in his career after more than 800 races. He has finished in the top-10 437 times.

To put it simply, Harvick is a legend. He’s a future Hall of Famer and one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers of all time.

Not only is this Harvick’s last ride at Atlanta, it is a day that will honor that 2001 victory. That No. 29 car from that 2001 race is going to ride around the track as the pace car. Not only that, but Richard Childress is going to be the Grand Marshal for the Quaker State 400 as well.

As The Closer puts a close on his career, NASCAR is helping to honor his contributions to the sport. What Kevin Harvick has meant to NASCAR since his rookie season cannot be overstated. The end of an era.