Challenges in the Life of Kevin Harvick in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Kevin Harvick faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

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

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.

2001: First Win Since 2001

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

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.

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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

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: Harvick wrecked Busch at Ford 400

During the 2011 season, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch had been in a feud. After Harvick intentionally wrecked Busch at the 2010 Ford 400 at Homestead, he and Busch tangled several times during the 2011 season.

May 2011: Probation and Fine for Harvick and Busch

In May 2011, following a post-race incident at Darlington, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch were placed on probation and fined $25,000 by NASCAR due to an ongoing feud between the two drivers. During the 2011 season, Kevin Harvick and fellow driver Kyle Busch were embroiled in a feud.

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.

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.

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: 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

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.

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.