Kevin Harvick has chance to make history at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

This weekend in New Hampshire, Kevin Harvick will have the chance to make history if he can find his way to victory lane. Harvick is tied with Jeff Burton for the most all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins at the Magic Mile. This is a track that Burton dominated, and there was a time when Harvick did as well.

Going back into NASCAR history a bit, Burton owned this track in the late 90s and into the new millennium. Burton won half of the New Hampshire races from 1997-2000. He earned a win at New Hamshire Motor Speedway once a year every year for those four seasons. He took the win in the July race three years in a row, ’97, ’98, ’99.

This is a track that Kevin Harvick has made his home as well. With a win in 2006 and then three wins coming in 2016, 2018, and 2019. Since his 2019 win, Harvick has rallied off finishes of P5, P6, and P5 in the last three races. He’s been excellent.

Both drivers have four wins all-time at New Hampshire and are tied for the record. If Kevin Harvick can get a win, he not only solidifies his playoff spot, he makes history and claims NHMS as his own. Harvick will pass Burton for second-most starts at NHMS as he makes his 40th start on Sunday. Both drivers have 39 starts at the track.

The Magic Mile is special to many drivers. As we get closer to The Closer closing out his career, this final race for the lobster is going to be special. A win would make it iconic.

Kevin Harvick being honored in final season

A year from now, we won’t be talking about Kevin Harvick racing in New Hampshire. Instead, we might be talking about how he performed in his first season in his new role in the Fox broadcast booth. Things will be different, for sure.

I’m not sure if New Hampshire Motor Speedway is doing anything for Harvick’s last race there. Last week in Atlanta we saw a special tribute. Richard Childress drove Harvick’s No. 29 car from his 2001 win in Atlanta. The two, Harvick and Childress, paced the field ahead of the green flag.

Other tracks have put up signs, special tributes in Turn 4, and more. While it has been a ton of fun seeing these tributes to Harvick, it does feel like it is missing something. Perhaps this weekend is when the driver puts it all together and grabs a win, his fifth at NHMS, and proves The Closer can still get the job done.

Kevin Harvick has one last ride around the Magic Mile. He has a chance to make history. Will he find the magic a final time?