Kevin Harvick, the former NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently surprised fans by donning a Hendrick Motorsports fire suit. After retiring from full-time competition at the end of the 2023 season with Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), Harvick found himself back in the racing world, albeit in an unexpected role.
Asked what, if anything, struck out to him between the SHR and Hendrick organizations from his experience so far, Harvick quipped, “I mean, I heard from the owner twice in two weeks. So, that’s different.
Kevin Harvick said SHR was helpful in getting seats and stuff over to Hendrick, but he did start his response to a question on what is different with a little quip: pic.twitter.com/pjaBit6QBp
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 17, 2024
“Just the race shop and the structure and the way that that everybody goes about it differently. I think the thing that sticks out for me about Hendrick Motorsports in general is it’s truly run like a business that is a part of an actual structure of how things flow and who you talk to.I was very fortunate to have a very, very good race team Stewart-Haas. It’s just, you know, fun to kind of get a look, a peek behind the curtain,” he said.
The Favor Asked and Kevin Harvick Accepted
When Kyle Larson qualified for the Indianapolis 500, Hendrick Motorsports faced a unique challenge: finding a replacement driver for the No. 5 Chevrolet during practice sessions. The solution? Tapping Kevin Harvick, the former NASCAR Cup Series champion, to step in and provide valuable insights.
Rick Hendrick, the team owner, approached Kevin Harvick with a straightforward request: practice in Larson’s car. Harvick, no stranger to high-pressure situations, agreed without hesitation. Little did he know that this opportunity would offer him a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Hendrick Motorsports.
One of the critical aspects when a new driver joins a team is ensuring a proper seat fit. Harvick didn’t have to worry about this at all. The No. 5 crew, with assistance from Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), provided him with his seat and seat rails. This collaboration streamlined the fitting process, allowing Harvick to focus on other preparations.
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