How Good Was Kevin Harvick in 2020: Kevin Harvick’s 2020 season might just be one of the most underrated in NASCAR history. Despite finishing 5th in the standings, he dominated the year with impressive stats that even outshined his championship-winning 2014 performance. With nine wins, countless top finishes, and unmatched consistency, Kevin Harvick proved he was a force to be reckoned with. Dive into the numbers and uncover why his 2020 season was truly one for the record books.
Why Kevin Harvick’s 2020 Performance Was More Impressive Than His Championship Year
When comparing Kevin Harvick’s performance in 2020 to his 2014 championship-winning season, the stats reveal just how impressive 2020 was. In 2014, Harvick clinched the NASCAR Cup Series title, finishing 1st overall with 5 wins, 14 top-5 finishes, and 20 top-10 finishes. He led 2,137 laps and maintained an average finish of 12.92. While this secured him the championship, the numbers tell a different story when lined up against his 2020 season.
In 2020, Harvick finished 5th in the final standings but had an incredible 9 wins—almost double his 2014 total. He also recorded 20 top-5 finishes and 27 top-10s, which were far more consistent than in 2014. His average finish in 2020 was a remarkable 7.33, showing he ran up front much more regularly. Even though he didn’t lead as many laps as in 2014, with 1,531 total laps led, his overall race consistency was unmatched, completing 99.97% of laps that year.
This comparison shows that while Harvick’s 2014 season ended with a championship, his 2020 performance was statistically stronger in nearly every way. More wins, more top finishes, and a much better average finish highlight how dominant he was, even if the final result didn’t include a title. For many fans, 2020 proved that championships don’t always reflect the best season.
Kevin Harvick Dominated 2020 Yet Missed the Championship 4
Kevin Harvick’s 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season was full of highs and lows, showing his consistency, skill, and determination. Finishing fifth in the standings, Harvick made the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season and the 14th time overall, a testament to his enduring presence in the series. He led the field with an impressive nine wins, continuing his streak of winning at least one race every season for 11 years in a row.
Kevin Harvick didn’t just dominate in terms of wins. He topped the series in several key categories, including top fives (20), top 10s (27), laps led (1,531), and fastest laps run (862). These statistics painted a picture of a driver who was consistently fast and competitive throughout the year. One of the most notable streaks of the season was his run from June 27 to August 9, where Harvick earned nine consecutive top-five finishes, capped off by a weekend sweep at Michigan International Speedway.
Another highlight of Harvick’s 2020 season came when he won both stages and the race at Michigan in the opener, as well as the second race at Dover International Speedway in late August. His performance at Dover marked a special moment for Ford, as it was their 700th Cup Series victory. Additionally, Harvick scored seven stage wins and finished fifth in stage points with 290, further proving his dominance on the track.
Harvick’s early season success helped him secure the regular-season title with seven wins in the first 26 races, along with a record 57 playoff points. He started the playoffs strong, winning at Darlington Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway, and earned four straight top-10 finishes. However, his journey to the Championship 4 came to an end after disappointing finishes at Texas and Martinsville, where he missed advancing by just eight points.
In the end, Harvick’s 2020 season was a year of great accomplishments, but it also fell short of his ultimate goal. Despite missing the Championship 4, Harvick reflected on his season, saying, “We won nine races, had a great year, and… the championship is kind of a bonus. It would be great to win it, obviously, but I’d rather go through the year and win races and do the things that we did and just came up short.”
What Set Kevin Harvick’s 2020 Apart from the Rest?
Kevin Harvick’s 2020 season was one of the most dominant in NASCAR history. He became only the second driver since 1978 to lead the NASCAR Cup Series in all key categories, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in over 30 years. His statistics were truly remarkable, outperforming the competition in wins, top 5s, top 10s, laps led, and more.
Harvick finished the season with nine wins, more than any other driver. The next closest were Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott, who each won seven. His consistency was equally impressive, with 20 top 5 finishes and 27 top 10s, both of which led the series. He also led the most laps in 2020, with 1,531 laps out in front, over 200 more than the second-place finisher.
In addition to these incredible accomplishments, Harvick completed a record 9,911 laps and maintained an average finish of 7.3, a significant gap over the competition. He also achieved the highest number of lead-lap finishes, with 33, and scored the most points, totaling 1,401 by the end of the season.
What makes Harvick’s 2020 performance even more remarkable is that he joined an exclusive list of drivers who have led all categories since 1978, with only Dale Earnhardt achieving this feat in 1987. This rare achievement shows just how strong Harvick’s 2020 season was, making it one of the most commanding in recent memory.
After 22 Years, Kevin Harvick Announces Retirement
On January 12, 2023, Kevin Harvick shocked the NASCAR world by announcing that he would retire from full-time racing after the 2023 season. After more than two decades at the top level of the sport, Harvick decided it was time to step away. The NASCAR driver leaves behind a remarkable legacy, with 60 Cup Series victories and a 2014 championship to his name. His time with Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 4 team cemented his place among NASCAR’s all-time greats.
In his announcement, Harvick expressed that while he still loved racing, the decision to retire came after years of reflection. He shared that he had spoken with other drivers who had been through similar transitions, and they all told him that when the time came, he’d simply know. And for Harvick, that time was now.
“There is absolutely nothing else in the world that I enjoy doing more than going to the race track, and I’m genuinely looking forward to this season.”
“But as I’ve gone through the years, I knew there would come a day where I had to make a decision. When would it be time to step away from the car? I’ve sought out people and picked their brains. When I asked them when they knew it was the right time, they said it’ll just happen, and you’ll realize that’s the right moment. You’ll make a plan and decide when it’s your last year.”
“It’s definitely been hard to understand when that right moment is because we’ve been so fortunate to run well. But sometimes there are just other things going on that become more important and, for me, that time has come.” – Kevin Harvick
Harvick’s career in NASCAR began in 2001 when he filled in for the late Dale Earnhardt in the Cup Series. He won his first race just three races later and quickly became one of the sport’s most successful and respected drivers. Beyond his success on the track, Harvick also made his mark as a team owner, broadcaster, and sports marketing figure.
Looking back, Harvick’s impact on the sport will continue to resonate long after his retirement, which made his announcement in 2023 a pivotal moment in NASCAR history.
News in Brief: How Good Was Kevin Harvick in 2020
Kevin Harvick’s 2020 NASCAR season was one of the most impressive in recent years. With a career-high nine wins and consistent finishes, Harvick’s dominance on the track was undeniable. His performance was a testament to his skill, with 20 top-5 finishes and 27 top-10s. Though he fell short of the Championship 4, Harvick’s stats highlighted his consistent ability to compete at the highest level. His 2020 season stands as a significant achievement in his already legendary career.
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