Rodney Childers, Mike Helton and Pitbull to serve as honorary starters for Homestead-Miami
NASCAR is choosing to honor Kevin Harvick in grand fashion, as the Cup Series will race at Homestead-Miami for the final time in his legendary career on Sunday.
Ahead of Harvick’s final trip to the track where he won his NASCAR Cup Series title, it was announced that some very special individuals to Harvick’s career — Mike Helton and Rodney Childers — will have imperative roles on Sunday.
“As his full-time NASCAR Cup Series comes to a close, Kevin Harvick will be honored by several individuals who have made an impact on his career prior to the start of the 4EVER 400 Presented by Mobil 1, Homestead-Miami Speedway announced today,” NASCAR’s press release read. “Senior Advisor to NASCAR Mike Helton and Stewart-Haas Racing crew chief Rodney Childers and his family will serve as key dignitaries in getting the race started on Sunday afternoon.
“GRAMMY® Award-winning superstar and Trackhouse Racing co-owner Armando Christian Perez, Pitbull, will serve as the honorary pace car official, riding along at the front of the field as the stars of the Cup Series prepare for one of the final races of the season.”
While Pitbull didn’t exactly impact Harvick’s career, it’s pretty awesome to have him help out with that South Florida vibe. Moreover, NASCAR explained the exact roles that Helton and Childers will serve on Sunday, later in their press release.
“Helton will serve as the Honorary Starter for the NASCAR Cup Series 4EVER 400 Presented by Mobil 1. Helton and Harvick have developed a close bond over his career, and Helton will wave the green flag as Harvick crosses the start/finish line for his final Cup Series race in South Florida,” explained the press release. “Harvick’s crew chief Rodney Childers and his family – wife Katrina and twin sons Brody and Gavin – have been named the Grand Marshals for the event.
“They’ll stand alongside Harvick’s car on the grid to honor Harvick one last time at the iconic track by saying the most famous words in motorsports to signal the field to fire their engines.”
Moreover, Al Garcia, Homestead-Miami Speedway President, added a statement, explaining how excited the track is to honor Harvick.
“As we honor Kevin in his final race here with us at Homestead-Miami Speedway, it was only fitting that some of the people most important to him in his career join the festivities to pay tribute to his legacy,” said Garcia. “The Childers family and Mike Helton are the perfect representatives to honor Kevin’s surefire Hall of Fame career.”
As you can see, it’ll be a special afternoon for Kevin Harvick, and NASCAR as a whole when the Cup Series gets to Homestead this weekend.