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Kevin Harvick honored by New Hampshire Motor Speedway with musket

JHby:Jonathan Howard07/15/23

Jondean25

Kevin Harvick musket
(Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

As Kevin Harvick prepares for his final start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, The Closer received a special gift. With four career wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at NHMS, Harvick is tied for most wins all-time at the track. Jeff Burton also has four career wins at the track, and Harvick will try one more time to unseat Burton as king of New Hampshire.

That is all for the race, though. Kevin Harvick will be ready for the Crayon 301. Ahead of the weekend, New Hampshire Motor Speedway gifted Harvick with a special musket. Not usually a trophy for NASCAR Cup Series, having a NHMS musket is a great honor.

This one comes fit with Harvick’s name, his wins at NHMS, as well as his NASCAR championship from 2014. It is a great farewell to one of the best in Magic Mile history.

There are a lot of similarities between Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton. Both have 39 career starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Harvick will pass Burton for second-most starts after he takes the green flag this weekend. Both have four career wins and went on streaks where they were dominant at this track.

Harvick is still the top non-winning driver in the Cup Series this season. It would be amazing to see him snag a win at the Magic Mile and make history as Burton makes the call from the booth. While bad weather might postpone events this weekend, we will get this race in one way or another. Prepare for a Monday start, if possible.

Kevin Harvick amid favorites for Crayon 301

While he isn’t the favorite, Kevin Harvick is among the top drivers heading into New Hampshire. With his history at the track, it makes sense that he is a 9-1 favorite, tied for fourth-best on the odds list this weekend. Vegas doesn’t seem to have belief in the Fords.

The drivers leading the odds heading into qualifying are Christopher Bell (11-2), Martin Truex Jr. (13-2), and Denny Hamlin (7-1). Those JGR drivers will be tough to beat. However, it feels strange to think no one else will have a chance at breaking up that group.

As it stands right now, Harvick makes the playoffs. He is doing great on points and despite not having a win, he’s looking just fine. With a couple of bad weekends in Chicago and Atlanta, Harvick could use some magic in New Hampshire to turn things around.

Kevin Harvick is making one last start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Will this be the record-breaking fifth win of his career? We haven’t seen a vintage Harvick performance yet this season. I think it is about time we see one and this would be the best race to see it.