Career Timeline of Kevin Harvick: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Kevin Harvick built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kevin Harvick is an American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver and current commentator for NASCAR on Fox. Known for his aggressive driving style and successful career, he secured a NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2014. Harvick's career spanned multiple decades, establishing him as a prominent figure in motorsports.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1971: Michigan Doubleheader, Became first driver since Richard Petty in 1971

In 2020, Kevin Harvick became the first driver to win Cup races on back-to-back days since Richard Petty in 1971 after a sweep of the Michigan doubleheader.

1992: Beginning of NASCAR Career

In 1992, Kevin Harvick began his NASCAR career.

1992: Part-Time Racing in NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series

In 1992, while in high school, Kevin Harvick began racing late models part-time in the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series.

1993: Electronic Scoring Started at Daytona 500

In 1993, electronic scoring was implemented at the Daytona 500. In 2007, Kevin Harvick won the Daytona 500 with the closest margin (.020 seconds) since electronic scoring started in 1993.

1995: Craftsman Truck Series Debut

In 1995, Kevin Harvick made his Craftsman Truck Series debut at the Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, driving the family-owned No. 72.

1997: Signed with Spears Motorsports

In 1997, Kevin Harvick signed with Spears Motorsports mid-season to drive the No. 75.

1997: First driver to win five of the first 13 races since Jeff Gordon in 1997

In 2018, Kevin Harvick was the first driver to win five of the first 13 races since Jeff Gordon in 1997.

1998: NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion

In 1998, Kevin Harvick was the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion. This signaled an early achievement for his NASCAR career.

1998: Winston West Series Championship

In 1998, Kevin Harvick won five races and the Winston West Series championship while driving for Spears.

October 23, 1999: First NASCAR Busch Series Start

On October 23, 1999, Kevin Harvick made his first NASCAR Busch Series start in the Kmart 200 at Rockingham Speedway in the No. 2 Chevrolet, finishing 42nd due to engine failure.

1999: Drove for Liberty Racing

In 1999, Kevin Harvick drove the No. 98 Porter Cable Ford for Liberty Racing, finishing 12th in points.

1999: ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Starts

In 1999, Kevin Harvick made two starts in the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series for Childress, driving the No. 20 Invinca-Shields/Realtree Chevrolet and finishing in the top five in both races.

2000: Signed with Richard Childress Racing

In 2000, Kevin Harvick signed with Richard Childress Racing to drive the No. 2 Chevrolet for his first full Busch Series season and won the NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year.

March 11, 2001: First Winston Cup Win

On March 11, 2001, Kevin Harvick won his first career Winston Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in just his third start, narrowly edging Jeff Gordon.

2001: Kevin Harvick Incorporated Truck Series

In 2001, Kevin Harvick Incorporated fielded cars in the Truck Series between 2001 and 2011.

2001: Achievements in 2001 Season

In 2001, Kevin Harvick secured a ninth-place finish in the points standings, won the NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award, and also won the Busch Series championship, while driving full-time in the Winston Cup Series.

2001: First Career Win Throwback

In 2001, Kevin Harvick secured his first career win at Atlanta. This accomplishment was later honored in his final All-Star Race with a No. 29 throwback paint scheme on his car.

2001: Xfinity Series Championship

In 2001, Kevin Harvick won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship.

2001: Plans for 2001 Season

In 2001, Richard Childress planned to run Kevin Harvick in the No. 2 ACDelco Chevy in the Busch Series full-time and develop him into the Winston Cup Series.

2001: Busch championship Win

In 2003, Kevin Harvick teamed with crew chief Todd Berrier, with whom he had won the Busch championship in 2001.

2001: First Win Since 2001

In 2018, Kevin Harvick had his first win since 2001 at Atlanta.

2001: Celebrated in a similar manner to his 2001 victory there

In 2020, Kevin Harvick scored further victories came during the summer in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta (where he celebrated in a similar manner to his 2001 victory there).

2002: 2002 IROC Champion

In 2002, Kevin Harvick became the 2002 IROC Champion in his first season in the Series, winning at California Speedway.

2002: Plans for 2002 Season

In 2002, Richard Childress had planned to race Kevin Harvick for a full schedule.

2003: Brickyard 400 Win

In 2003, Kevin Harvick, teamed with crew chief Todd Berrier, won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis and jumped to fifth in the point standings.

2004: Kevin Harvick Incorporated Established

In 2004, Kevin Harvick became the owner of Kevin Harvick Incorporated, a race team that fielded cars in the Xfinity Series.

2004: Missed the Chase for the Cup

In 2004, Kevin Harvick missed the inaugural Chase for the Cup after a series of events at Bristol Motor Speedway and subsequent races.

2004: NASCAR Special on Family Feud

In 2004, Kevin Harvick participated in a NASCAR special of the game show Family Feud, hosted by Richard Karn. Harvick competed against Jeremy Mayfield, playing on behalf of the Kevin Harvick Foundation and winning $276 for the charity.

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2005: Food City 500 Win

In 2005, Kevin Harvick's only Cup win came at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

2005: Missed Chase for the first time since 2005

In 2009, Harvick missed the chase for the first time since 2005 and finished a disappointing 19th in the final standings.

September 2006: Harvick's First Pole Position

In qualifying for the 2013 Hollywood Casino 400, Harvick won his first pole position since September 2006.

October 13, 2006: 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Championship Clinched

On October 13, 2006, Kevin Harvick clinched the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series championship at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the Dollar General 300, the earliest clinch ever in the Busch Series with four races to go.

2006: Finished Fourth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

In 2006, Kevin Harvick finished fifth in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway and slipped to fourth in the final standings to eventual 2006 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.

2006: Tied Highest Points Position

In 2006, Kevin Harvick had his highest points position, which he tied in 2008.

2006: Xfinity Series Championship

In 2006, Kevin Harvick secured the Xfinity Series Championship, adding another major accomplishment to his racing career.

2007: Harvick wins at Sonoma, drives in K&N Pro Series West event

In 2007, Kevin Harvick drove the No. 4 for Jefferson Pitts Racing at Sonoma Raceway in the K&N Pro Series West event, his first race in the series since Iowa Speedway in 2007, winning the race after taking the lead on lap 42. A day later, he won the Toyota/Save Mart 350, his second road course win and first at Sonoma. In the chase, he struggled, finishing 36th at Loudon and 17th at Dover but managed to avoid elimination due to playoff and stage points. The second round was slightly better, despite a DNF at Talladega, where stage points again saved him. He finished 5th at Martinsville after a last-lap contact, won stage 1 and the race at Texas, securing a spot in the Championship 4 at Homestead, marking his first win at Texas. At Phoenix, he finished 5th. In the season finale at Homestead, he finished 4th in the race and 3rd in the final standings. Following the retirements of Dale Jr. and Matt Kenseth, Harvick and Jimmie Johnson became the oldest full-time drivers in the Cup Series.

2007: Nationwide Series Wins

In 2007, Kevin Harvick had multiple wins in the Nationwide Series, including the Orbitz 300 at Daytona, marking his first win in a restrictor-plate race and the first for sponsor AutoZone in NASCAR's Nationwide Series. He also won the Camping World 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway and the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Montreal after Robby Gordon was black-flagged.

2007: Dramatic Daytona 500 Win

In 2007, Kevin Harvick started the Sprint Cup series with a dramatic final lap pass in the Daytona 500, beating Mark Martin by .020 seconds. This was the closest margin at the 500 since electronic scoring started in 1993. Harvick became the fourth NASCAR driver to sweep both the Nationwide and Cup races in the opening weekend at Daytona.

2007: Harvick wins All-Star Race for the first time in 11 years after winning it in 2007 driving the No. 29 car for RCR

In 2018, Kevin Harvick won the All-Star Race for the first time in 11 years after winning it in 2007 driving the No. 29 car for RCR.

July 21, 2008: TD Bank 250 Win

On July 21, 2008, Kevin Harvick won $37,300 at the 35th annual TD Bank 250 presented by New England Dodge Dealers in Oxford, Maine, becoming the first active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver to win the race.

2008: Fourth-Place Finish in Sprint Cup

In 2008, Kevin Harvick did not win any races but still achieved a fourth-place ranking in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. This tied his 2006 highest points position at the end of a season. He also went without a DNF for the second straight year. In the Nationwide Series, he ran twenty-two races with sponsorships from Camping World, Rheem, and RoadLoans without a win.

2008: First driver since Carl Edwards in 2008

In 2020, Harvick became the first driver to win at least nine times in a season since Carl Edwards in 2008.

2009: Mixed Results in 2009

In 2009, Kevin Harvick experienced a season with mixed results. Despite not securing a win in the Cup Series, he achieved success in the Nationwide and Truck Series, totaling five wins. Gil Martin became the new crew chief. Harvick's best race was at the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he finished second. He missed the chase for the first time since 2005.

2009: Budweiser Shootout Win and Daytona 500 Finish

In 2009, Kevin Harvick started the season by winning the Budweiser Shootout with a last-lap pass on Jamie McMurray. After damaging his primary car for the Daytona 500, his team switched to his Shootout car, and he finished second when the race was declared official early due to rain.

2009: Starting the season same as in 2010

In 2010 season, Kevin Harvick started the same way he did in 2009 by winning the Budweiser Shootout.

2009: Winless for the first time since 2009

In 2021, despite going winless for the first time since 2009, he finished fifth in the final standings.

2009: No Wins since 2009

In 2021, despite scoring no wins for the first time since 2009, Harvick managed to make the playoffs with his consistency.

2009: First points finish outside the top 10 since 2009

In 2022, Kevin Harvick finished the season 15th in the points standings, his first points finish outside the top 10 since 2009.

August 2010: Budweiser to sponsor Harvick in 2011

In August 2010, it was announced that Budweiser would be the primary sponsor for Kevin Harvick's No. 29 car for 20 races in 2011, following the departure of Royal Dutch Shell.

2010: Harvick finished second six times since winning there in 2010

Coming into Michigan in 2018, Kevin Harvick had finished second six times since winning there in 2010.

2010: Establishment of Kevin Harvick Foundation

In 2010, Kevin Harvick and his wife, DeLana, established the Kevin Harvick Foundation (KHF) to support programs enriching the lives of children throughout the United States.

2010: Successful 2010 Season

In 2010, Kevin Harvick had a bounce-back year, starting by winning the Budweiser Shootout. He placed second in the Gatorade Duel to Jimmie Johnson. He won the Aaron's 499 and the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona. On August 15, Harvick captured his third win of the year by winning the Carfax 400 at Michigan. He finished third overall in the Chase.

2010: Potential Move to Stewart-Haas Racing

Reports surfaced in 2009 that Kevin Harvick had requested a release from his contract at the end of the 2009 season to join Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2010 season, but Harvick refused to comment.

January 25, 2011: Jimmy John's Sponsorship

On January 25, 2011, Jimmy John's and Richard Childress Racing reached a multi-year agreement to sponsor Kevin Harvick's No. 29 Sprint Cup team for 6 races in 2011.

2011: Harvick's season at Phoenix

In 2011 Kevin Harvick did not win a race at Phoenix marking the first season since 2011 where Harvick didn't win a race at Phoenix.

2011: Kevin Harvick Incorporated Closes

In 2011, Kevin Harvick Incorporated closed down, after fielding cars in the Xfinity Series from 2004 to 2011 and the Truck Series between 2001 and 2011.

2012: Win at Phoenix

In 2012, Kevin Harvick made the Chase through consistency, despite being winless in the regular season. At Phoenix, Harvick won the race, his only win of the season and the 19th of his career. He went on to finish 8th in points.

January 22, 2013: Harvick to Join Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014

On January 22, 2013, it was officially confirmed that Kevin Harvick would be switching teams and joining Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2014 season.

July 12, 2013: Harvick to drive No. 4 Chevrolet

On July 12, 2013, it was confirmed that Kevin Harvick would drive the No. 4 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing, replacing Ryan Newman.

2013: Victories and Accomplishments in 2013

In 2013, Kevin Harvick won his Budweiser Duel. He tied Tony Stewart's and Dale Jarrett's record for wins in the Clash/Shootout/Unlimited. Harvick won his first race of the season at the 2013 Toyota Owners 400 and he dominated the Hollywood Casino 400. Harvick won his fourth race of the year at the Phoenix race. He finished the season third in points.

2014: Harvick's 2014 Season Details

In 2014, Kevin Harvick ran upfront during the Daytona 500, but was caught up in a last-lap crash leaving turn 4, and was scored in the 13th position. In October 2013, it was announced that Harvick would also run a partial schedule in the Nationwide Series in 2014, competing in a minimum of 12 races for JR Motorsports.

2014: Cup Series Championship

In 2014, Kevin Harvick won the NASCAR Cup Series championship.

2014: Harvick Sweeps Phoenix Races

In 2014, Kevin Harvick won the race at Phoenix, sweeping both 2014 races at Phoenix, which allowed him to transfer into the final round of the Chase at Homestead.

January 25, 2015: Xfinity Series Analyst

On January 25, 2015, it was reported that Kevin Harvick, along with Jeff Gordon, Brad Keselowski, and Danica Patrick, would serve as a rotating analyst for Xfinity Series races with NASCAR on Fox. Harvick's commentary debut was at Daytona.

2015: Broadcasting Career Begins

In 2015, Kevin Harvick began working as a broadcaster off-and-on for NASCAR on FOX, calling Xfinity Series races.

2015: Back-to-back wins since 2015

In 2018, Kevin Harvick would earn back-to-back wins at Atlanta and Las Vegas, for the first time since 2015 where he won at Las Vegas and Phoenix.

2015: Truck Series return and Xfinity Series races

In March 2021, Harvick returned to the Truck Series for the first time since 2015, driving the No. 17 for David Gilliland Racing in the Bristol dirt race. Stewart-Haas brought back their second Xfinity car for Harvick to run three road course races at Circuit of the Americas, Road America, and the Indianapolis Road Course, all of which were new to the Cup Series schedule that year.

2016: 2016 Season

In 2016, Kevin Harvick started at the rear of the field at Chicagoland. Harvick's third win of the season would come at the very next week at Loudon, where he passed Matt Kenseth on a late-race restart with 7 laps to go. Harvick would lead 267 laps to victory in Kansas. He would wrap up his 2016 season by winning the pole and finishing 3rd at Homestead-Miami.

2016: First top-five since 2016

In 2020, Kevin Harvick had his first top-five at the Daytona 500 since 2016.

June 2017: Play-by-Play Commentator for Xfinity Race

In June 2017, Kevin Harvick was the play-by-play commentator for the Fox NASCAR broadcast of the Xfinity race at Pocono as part of a Cup drivers-only coverage, alongside Joey Logano and Clint Bowyer.

2017: Stewart-Haas switches to Ford

In 2017, Stewart-Haas Racing transitioned from Chevrolet to Ford. Kevin Harvick won Stage 2 and led the most laps at the Daytona 500, ultimately finishing 22nd after a wreck. He later captured the pole position at Atlanta, leading 292 laps and sweeping both race stages, but a pit road penalty relegated him to 9th place. Despite the setbacks, Harvick led the points standings due to his stage wins and consistency.

2018: Drivers Only Broadcast at Talladega

In 2018, Fox brought back the Drivers Only broadcast at Talladega, with Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, and Clint Bowyer reprising their roles in the broadcast booth.

2018: Harvick's 2018 Season

In 2018, Harvick started the season with a DNF at the Daytona 500 but followed with dominant wins at Atlanta (first since 2001) and Las Vegas, marking his 100th career win across NASCAR's top three series. His Las Vegas win was penalized due to a rear window issue, resulting in points deductions and fines. Despite the penalty and his crew chief's absence, Harvick won at Phoenix, securing three consecutive wins for the first time in his career. He continued with a string of strong finishes, including a win at Dover and Kansas, tying his season-best win record. He won the All-Star Race for the first time in 11 years and achieved his sixth win of the year at New Hampshire. Harvick finished the season with seven wins, including a victory at Michigan after numerous second-place finishes, a best in his career.

2019: Harvick's 2019 Season

In 2019, Harvick started by winning Duel 1 at Daytona but finished 26th in the Daytona 500 after a late crash. He then achieved six consecutive top-10 finishes, including three top-fives. After race #19, he experienced mixed results, including a 13th-place finish at Bristol, 4th at Richmond, and a DNF at Talladega. He secured the pole at Kansas but finished 13th due to a poor pit stop and finished second in the All-Star race. Despite challenges like a loose wheel at Pocono and a wreck at Chicagoland, Harvick added wins at New Hampshire, Michigan, and Indianapolis later in the season. In the Playoffs, he advanced to the Round of 12 with strong finishes and won at Texas to secure a Championship 4 appearance, ultimately finishing third in the standings.

2019: First DNF Since 2019

In 2021, Kevin Harvick sustained his first DNF since the 2019 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race

2019: Drivers Only Broadcast at Charlotte

In May 2019, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, and Clint Bowyer reprised their roles in the broadcast booth for the Drivers Only broadcast at Charlotte.

2020: Harvick's 2020 Season Start and COVID-19 Interruption

In 2020, Harvick started by finishing fourth in Duel 2 at Daytona and fifth at the Daytona 500, his first top-five in the race since 2016. He maintained consistent top-10 finishes at Las Vegas, Fontana, and Phoenix before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Harvick's 2020 Playoff Performance

In 2020, Harvick won his second Southern 500 and the Bristol Night Race, becoming the first driver since Carl Edwards in 2008 to win at least nine times in a season. Despite these achievements, Harvick was eliminated in the Round of 8 after finishing 17th at Martinsville. He finished fifth in the points standings, and went the entire season without a DNF for only the fourth time in his career.

2020: No Drivers Only Broadcast

In 2020, Kevin Harvick was not a guest analyst for Fox, and the "Drivers Only" broadcast was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Harvick's 2021 Season

In 2021, Harvick started the Cup season with three consecutive top-ten finishes and was one of two drivers to do that, the other being Michael McDowell. Harvick finished 37th at the Circuit of the Americas race after a collision with Bubba Wallace, sustaining his first DNF since the 2019 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race. He criticized NASCAR for allowing the race to proceed with poor visibility. Despite no wins, Harvick made the playoffs due to consistency.

2021: Guest Analyst and Color Commentator

In 2021, Kevin Harvick was included in the lineup of guest analysts for Fox, serving as a color commentator at Darlington in May.

2022: Harvick's 2022 Season and Career Finale

In 2022, Harvick began the season with a 30th-place finish at the Daytona 500. He won at Michigan, ending a 65-race drought and secured his 60th and final career victory at Richmond. He was eliminated in the Round of 16 after the Southern 500 due to a fire in his car. Childers was suspended and fined US$100,000, and the No. 4 team was docked 100 points. Harvick finished the season 15th in the points standings, his first points finish outside the top 10 since 2009.

January 9, 2023: Purchase of CARS Tour

On January 9, 2023, a consortium including Kevin Harvick Incorporated, DEJ Management, Jeff Burton Autosports, Inc., and Trackhouse Racing Team purchased the CARS Tour.

January 12, 2023: Retirement Announcement

On January 12, 2023, Kevin Harvick announced his retirement from racing at the end of the 2023 season.

February 5, 2023: Joining Fox NASCAR Broadcast Booth in 2024

On February 5, 2023, Fox Sports and Kevin Harvick announced that he would join the Fox NASCAR broadcast booth in 2024, alongside Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer.

2023: Earliest Career Start Record Surpassed

In 2023, Shane van Gisbergen broke the record for earliest career start for a driver to win a race, previously held by Kevin Harvick, who won in his third start on March 11, 2001.

April 28, 2024: Standby Driver for Kyle Larson

On April 28, 2024, it was announced that Kevin Harvick would serve as the standby driver for Kyle Larson at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the 2024 NASCAR All-Star race, participating in practice and qualifying.