Kevin Harvick is in his final NASCAR Cup Series season and is relishing his time on the track, making these moments special for himself and those around him. His wholesome act after the Cup Series drivers’ photo session won the hearts of the media.
Harvick was kneeling in the center for the first driver group photo at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 26 years. Once the drivers began dispersing, he got up and walked towards the pit wall asking the photographers to remain in their positions.
After reaching the pit wall the veteran driver borrowed a camera from a photographer and took his shot of the media gathered there. Later in the media session, Harvick was questioned why he took the snaps of the photographers, to which he replied:
“I think it’s important for you guys to be able to say you were here as well. But that was something that (Dale Earnhardt Sr.) used to do. Every time he won, he’d always take a picture of the photographers. Dale did that a little bit, so I thought it’d be cool, for him, to take that picture.”
A tribute to Dale Earnhardt, Harvick added that he would send the photograph to Earnhardt Junior:
“I told (photographer) Harold (Hinson) to take that picture and send it to Dale. I know he’d like that.”
Trying to emulate the legendary NASCAR Hall of Famer, Kevin Harvick created a memorable moment for the media members gathered in the pit lane. He simultaneously won the hearts of fans as well.
“This is a big moment” – Kevin Harvick excited to run the #29 car
Halfway through the season, Kevin Harvick’s farewell tour begins. For the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Harvick will be piloting the #29 Busch Light Ford instead of his usual #4 car.
This is a throwback to his time with Richard Childress Racing. Harvick took on the #29 since his debut in Cup Series. He was promoted from the Busch Series in the aftermath of Dale Earnhardt’s fatal crash and went on win his first Cup race in his third start in Atlanta.
Speaking about the throwback, Harvick said:
“I think this is the first one where I was like, ‘Oh, man. This is a big moment.’
“Just with the [No.] 29 and seeing how excited Richard [Childress] is to see it on the track and all the things that come with those 14 years with RCR and being able to actually do this is a pretty big moment.”
The 47-year-old added that he had to re-learn the importance and the impact of the #29 car, which he ran for 14 years.
“I almost had to re-learn the importance and the impact of that particular moment in our sport because … There’s more to it than the paint scheme and the number.
“It’s really a moment in NASCAR the means something to people that aren’t even fans of yours or Earnhardt fans and everything that goes with it.”
