Harvick Farewell Lap: In the twilight of his racing career, Kevin Harvick gracefully brought his final lap to a close with yet another top-10 finish at Phoenix. Approaching the age of 50, the seasoned driver pondered the conclusion of his illustrious career, a contemplation that had been brewing over the past few NASCAR seasons.
Harvick, surrounded by a network of friends spanning generations, sought counsel from both NASCAR luminaries and figures beyond the racing world. During an episode of the Dale Jr. Download, he shared the insights he gleaned from former NASCAR driver Mark Martin and MLB stalwart Joe Girardi.
Reflecting on the challenging decision to retire from racing, Harvick observed, “There’s very few that get out of the car that got out by choice. So you’re building to this whole process to the end, and you know it’s the end. A lot of guys get to the end, and they don’t know where they’re going, what they’re doing. Some retire because—most of them retire because of the fact that they don’t have a ride. Then, all of a sudden, they unretire because they have a ride again, right? It seems like the right thing to do.”
He emphasized the wisdom shared by Mark Martin, who urged him to race until he was unequivocally certain that he was done. Harvick recalled Martin’s retirement tour and subsequent return to the track for several more years. Echoing this sentiment, Joe Girardi advised, “Kevin, make sure you take that jersey off for yourself, don’t let them take it off for you.” This advice resonated deeply with Harvick, affirming his satisfaction in closing that chapter of his career on his terms.
The guidance from these sporting legends, Martin and Girardi, carried weight given their extensive and successful careers. Although Mark Martin never secured a championship, Girardi earned three as a player and one as a manager.
Girardi’s own managerial career faced an unexpected hiatus from 2017 to 2019. Upon his return in 2020 with the Phillies, it was evident that he felt his initial exit from the game didn’t align with his aspirations.
In contrast, Harvick bid farewell to his racing career on his own terms. With sponsorship, talent, and unwavering determination, he raced for 21 years at the Cup Series level and a total of 30 years in the sport. Now transitioning into a new phase, Harvick ventures into sports management, including a custom golf cart shop.
As he embarks on post-racing endeavors, Harvick’s versatile skill set positions him for success, prompting speculation about potential ventures, including the prospect of NASCAR ownership. The future holds an array of possibilities for the seasoned driver, and whatever path he chooses, there’s little doubt that he’ll continue to excel.
