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“An Absolute Master”: Kevin Harvick Takes Pride in His Successor’s Resurgent Bristol Outing

Published 03/20/2024, 1:26 PM EDT

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Midst the rumble of engines and the harsh stink of burning rubber, the jam-packed spectators in the Bristol grandstand had the opportunity to witness a historical racing event. The 2024 Food City 500 race left the spectators witnessing an immense display of racing that required great time-management skills. 

The race saw 54 lead changes with sixteen different drivers, which ranks as the most lead changes in the track’s history. One among those Sixteen was Josh Berry, the Stewart-Haas Racing’s rookie and Kevin Harvick’s replacement for the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

Kevin Harvick Applauds Berry’s Bristol Run

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From an early setback at the Phoenix Raceway to showcasing a head-start performance at the Bristol pavements, the SHR driver has generated a significant momentum boost. Starting from pole position two, leading 25 laps, and enduring tire issues, Berry provided a P12 finish for the No. 4 racing team.

Harvick in his ‘Happy Hour’ podcast seemed delightful as he praised Berry’s race craft from his studio. The former No. 4 racer now turned FOX TV Analyst depicted a detailed review of Josh Berry’s performance in his last race.

He said, “This is right up Josh Barry’s alley, I mean he was an absolute Master at late model stock racing in these types of races and figuring out how to make his car easy on the tires and do the things that it needed to do.”, highlighting Berry’s expertise in short-track racing.

Harvick further expressed, “They had one moment where you know he spun out during the race and got, … they got behind and they were able to battle back. But I think they ran almost 70 laps at the end of the race.” He then admired the confidence boost that the No. 4 squad has now received.

Harvick Praises Team Spirit

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Kevin Harvick highlighted the much-needed confidence boost for the team. He noted, “That is what those guys needed, they needed, they needed a good solid day. They started on the front row um and that’s going to be a huge confidence boost for Rodney(Crew Chief) and Josh.

Drawing parallels to past experiences, he explained, “This is stuff, that has happened before in this car. When we went to Vegas the first time with this car the right rear tires completely would wear out.” He further went on revealing his insights, “And it’s like a light switch. When that happens all of a sudden you’re driving, driving, driving, and when it starts to hit those cords you know as a driver, Uh Oh I’m out of rubber. I got to, I’m going to have to have another tire and you know that you just got to slow down.”

Despite challenges, Harvick admired Berry’s resilience, noting, “Josh Berry had a good day. It was fun to watch him go from the back to the front several times.”

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The thunderous race at Bristol showcased a thrilling battle with a record-breaking number of lead changes, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Josh Berry’s performance, from pole position to tire challenges, earned praise from Kevin Harvick, reflecting a newfound team spirit and resilience. As fans revel in the excitement of Berry’s journey, they anticipate even greater feats from the No. 4 team in the races ahead.

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Written by:

Susamay Dey

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Susamay Dey is a NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports. Combining his passion for writing and motorsports, he has gone on to pen down numerous articles on Stock Car Racing's fan favorites, like Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Bubba Wallace. While his strength lies in Core Sport reporting, he can also cover lifestyle pieces, enlightening fans about the lesser-known facts about NASCAR stars and their personal lives.
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Edited by:

Shreya Singh