As the sun sets on the illustrious racing journey of Kevin Harvick, he gears up for the final lap of his farewell season. With only two races left in his NASCAR Cup Series odyssey, Harvick is poised to embrace a new chapter as a commentator in the FOX Sports booth come 2024. As a grand show of appreciation, Homestead Miami renamed his final race the 4EVER 400. Presented by Mobil 1, it turned into a joyous festival.

This exuberant name celebrated the Stewart-Haas Racing maestro’s finale in style. Yet, amidst the nostalgic fanfare and the shimmer of the tracks, Kevin Harvick couldn’t clinch a spot in the top 10. Whispers over the radio hinted that perhaps Tony Stewart and his team had a role in this outcome.

The last race of Kevin Harvick got jeopardized by Tony Stewart and Co.

Homestead Miami rolled out the red carpet for Kevin Harvick, with sponsor Mobil 1 pulling out all the stops to make the event unforgettable. Budweiser made a nostalgic return to Harvick’s car, flaunting the iconic paint scheme reminiscent of his triumphant 2014 Cup championship at this very track.

Kevin Harvick’s victory lap back then was with Stewart-Haas Racing, under the astute guidance of crew chief Rodney Childers—a dynamic duo that remains intact. Reflecting on their journey, the driver of the No. 4 Ford Mustang remarked, “We put everything together, from hiring a driver to hiring Rodney Childers to be the crew chief to him hiring the car chief, all the way through everything that we did.” 

Yet, amidst the sparkle of celebrations, Tony Stewart’s crew seemed to have overlooked a crucial detail with Harvick’s car, setting the stage for a challenging race. The oversight marred what should have been a flawless race. Though Kevin Harvick salvaged the P11 finish, his frustrations were palpable. The 47-year-old exclaimed, “Holy cow! This is a dump truck… tight.” The car’s stiffness, especially during turns and passes, was unmistakably evident.

However, the Stewart-Haas Racing team has one more shot at redemption—an opportunity to right the inadvertent wrongs of the day.

Watch This Story: A Tearful Farewell: Kevin Harvicks NASCAR Journey

Could Harvick take one final bow with a victory lap?

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In his 44 appearances at Martinsville, Kevin Harvick boasts an impressive average of 14.8, accompanied by 1 victory, five top-5 finishes, and a whopping 20 top-10s. While his most recent spring race saw him finish in the 20th spot, history suggests that with the right car—one that strikes a perfect balance, neither veering too tight nor too loose—courtesy of Tony Stewart & Co., he might just clinch a victory in his concluding season.

But don’t count him out at Phoenix either. Even though he’s no longer in playoff contention, it doesn’t diminish his chances of a grand finale win at Phoenix. A glance at his track record there is awe-inspiring: out of 41 races, he’s secured an enviable average of 8.6, with 9 wins, 20 top-5s, and 30 top-10s. It could well be Harvick’s moment to bask in the spotlight one last time.

Read More: Denny Hamlin Recalls the Humbling Kevin Harvick Moment That Made Him “Respect” His Bitter Nemesis After a Decade

And who knows? It might be an opportunity for NASCAR to utilize its points system as the sole determinant in crowning the Cup Championship victor.