After over two decades of winning trophies, Kevin Harvick exited the race track last year. Celebrating victory with 60 checkered flags in the NASCAR Cup Series races, Harvick’s achievements are aplenty. Yet the smell of burning rubber and the sound of roaring engines continue to linger on. So, his retirement plans took a backseat when Hendrick Motorsports asked Harvick to compete at the All-Star Race in May.

Kevin Harvick detailed why he immediately accepted the proposition. Aside from his undying love for racing, Rick Hendrick’s earnest request gripped him. But in a recent revelation, Harvick accepted that it was only after somebody else showed him the green light that he was 100% sure.

Kevin Harvick’s better half called the shot

Before Kevin Harvick scored a place among the winning charts of NASCAR, he gained an invaluable asset in his life. His wife, DeLana Harvick, has acted as a solid pillar of support through his achievements. Her father was John Paul Linville, a distinguished competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Hence DeLana grew up in NASCAR, knowing the ins and outs of racing.

From Harvick’s stellar wins to his retirement, DeLana has been a beam of light for her husband’s racing journey. The couple also co-owns Kevin Harvick Incorporated, a revered entity in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. 

Naturally, Kevin Harvick would screen every big racing decision through his knowledgeable wife. When Rick Hendrick approached Harvick about driving in Kyle Larson’s stead at the All-Star Race, he was elated. But he had to confirm with his better half.

On the ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour’ podcast, the veteran talked about how he broached the topic. “I called my wife and I was like, ‘Hey! Are you sitting down?’ She said, ‘I’m driving.’ I said, ‘Well, maybe you should pull over.’ She’s like, ‘Oh man. This is obviously a pretty serious question that you’re gonna ask me.’ I said, ‘So, about that retirement thing…they’ve asked me to go drive Kyle Larson’s car during the North Wilkesboro weekend.’”

DeLana Harvick herself posted about this phone call on X. She tweeted: “I was driving when Pops called and said, “Can you pull over, I’ve got something to run by you.” #backupPops 💁🏼‍♀️🙃”

Then DeLana’s green light was all Harvick needed to go ahead with Hendrick. “She’s like, ‘Okay, what did you say?’ I was like, ‘I said yes, of course, because there’s just not too many opportunities that are presented the way this one was presented from Rick, to say ‘I need a favor.’ She’s like, ‘Well, if Mr. Hendrick needs a favor, he’s done us good. You should go do it.’ I said, ‘Okay!’”

Clearly, DeLana Harvick has a strong say in all things Happy Harvick. However, Kevin Harvick’s deep passion for racing was also a reason for saying yes to Hendrick. As he said in early 2023, retiring from racing boggled his mind.

Harvick was unsure about his exit plans

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When Kevin Harvick debuted in 1999, he brought fire to his wheels. Especially in 2001, when he paid a fitting tribute to Dale Earnhardt. Harvick won in Atlanta in The Intimidator’s car a week after the latter passed away. This was followed by 59 more Cup wins, including a 2007 Daytona 500 win and a 2014 championship trophy. 

Last year, Kevin Harvick revealed his deep-rooted love for racing: “There is absolutely nothing else in the world that I enjoy doing more than going to the race track.”

As a result, confusion regarding retirement left him scratching his head. “When would it be time to step away from the car? I’ve sought out people and picked their brains.” He added: “It’s definitely been hard to understand when that right moment is because we’ve been so fortunate to run well.”

Now Kevin Harvick is back in a car, ready to feel the thrill of racing again. It is safe to say that he must have been waiting for this moment.