In an unexpected turn of events, Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup champion, found himself behind the wheel of Kyle Larson’s No. 5 car during practice at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Harvick, who had retired from full-time competition last season, stepped out of the Fox Sports broadcast booth and into the driver’s seat for this unique opportunity.
Driving Larson’s car also gave Harvick a chance to work closely with the Hendrick Motorsports team. He marveled at the organization’s structure, both on the business and racing sides. Harvick noted, “There’s just a depth of the business side and racing side. It’s deep. I think that is pretty eye-opening just from the structure for the whole thing. I like structure. That’s something that has been good to see.”
Really solid show research for Sunday by @KevinHarvick today in North Wilkesboro. pic.twitter.com/lcTXrVwugK
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 17, 2024
After the race, Kevin Harvick provided valuable insights, particularly regarding the new tires introduced by Goodyear for this event. Harvick praised the performance of the tires, acknowledging that they did really well overall. However, he pointed out that the car could benefit from better handling, specifically suggesting that it should turn a little bit better through the middle third of the corner.In the end Harvick hoped for the best and he hoped the insights might help Kyle Larson for the $1 million event on Sunday.
Kevin Harvick’s Insights: Hendrick Motorsports vs. previous NASCAR teams he raced for
Kevin Harvick, the retired NASCAR Cup Series champion, made waves when he stepped back into a fire suit, this time adorned with HendrickCars.com and other logos for the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team. Harvick’s one-off role involved practicing and qualifying Kyle Larson’s car for the NASCAR All-Star Race while Larson prepared for the Indianapolis 500.
Harvick was struck by the depth and structure of Hendrick Motorsports. The organization operates like a well-oiled machine, with clear communication channels and a business-like approach. Harvick noted that he heard from team owner Rick Hendrick twice in two weeks, emphasizing the efficient flow of information.
While Harvick didn’t explicitly compare SHR, his experience there likely differed. The contrast in communication frequency suggests that Hendrick Motorsports places a strong emphasis on structured processes.Harvick praised the depth of both the business and racing sides at Hendrick. The team’s structure impressed him, highlighting how it’s run like a business within a larger framework. This integration allows for efficient decision-making and resource allocation.
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