Kevin Harvick reflects on his most important contributions to NASCAR

Kevin Harvick won’t get the chance to end his career with a NASCAR Cup Series championship. Following Saturday night’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the veteran driver was eliminated from the playoffs, missing out on the Round of 12.

While there are still races remaining on the docket, it essentially ends Harvick’s legendary career behind the wheel. In an interview with The Athletic, Harvick looked back on his career, reflecting on his most important contributions to the sport.

“The thing this year has really made me realize is the impact we have as drivers and athletes on people’s lives in general,” Harvich said. “Hearing those stories and those moments, whether it be inspiring a driver or inspiring somebody to get through a hard time period, through COVID or something personal they have going on — when we’re in the day-to-day grind, going week to week from race to race, you lose sight of the fact that what you do is much bigger than winning or losing to the people outside of this hauler. The impact you have on people’s lives is much different than what you realize inside of the competition walls.

“For me, being able to open up and hear those stories and understand you have that effect on people and can impact people’s lives with the things you say and do is not something you really realize when you’re 25 years old or in the middle of a battle with somebody after a race. That has been very impactful for me personally to just really enjoy that you’ve been able to affect people in a positive way just by doing the things you think are right.”

Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR accomplishments

Harvick is a 25-year NASCAR veteran. He started the Xfinity Series in 1999 and bumped up to the Cup Series in 2001. He’s appeared in over 1,100 races, including more than 800 in the Cup Series.

In over two decades on the track, Harvick drove his car to Victory Lane 60 times. He posted 442 finishes inside the top-10 and landed 31 pole positions.

At the Xfinity Series level, Harvick piled up 47 victories with 261 top-10s in 341 total races. Not too shabby.

Harvick won the 2001 and 2006 Busch Series (now Xfinity Series) championship. He also claimed the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

The 47-year-old has been a staple in NASCAR for over two decades. It will be weird not seeing him on the track as he rides off into retirement.