Kevin Harvick can relate all too well. Kansas Speedway delivered a nail-biting Hollywood Casino 400. The clash between the No. 11 and the No. 23 Toyota flipped the script for both drivers. Bubba Wallace slipped from the lead to finish fifth, while Denny Hamlin, rattled by the contact, had to settle for second place. The dramatic run quickly became one of the hottest talking points of the weekend, with NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick also weighing in on the incident.

Back in 2007, Kevin Harvick found himself in one of those high-drama NASCAR moments that fans still talk about. At the Xfinity Series race in Montréal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Harvick was running fifth with just four laps to go when chaos erupted. In a split-second move, he made contact with Scott Pruett, sending him spinning, an action that cleared the path for Harvick to charge forward and ultimately take the win.

However, the team wasn’t too happy with it. Speaking on the Happy Hour podcast, Harvick knew what was at stake. He reflected, “But in ’07, I wrecked two of my cars and and won the race. My team owner was not happy…We flew to Montreal, and it was very chaotic finish. Scott Pruett at the time had run me all over the racetrack and I’m like you know what on this restart I am dumping your a–. And when I dumped him, it took out Ron Fellows, and he was probably going to win the race with the way that it worked out with Robby Gordon and Marcus Ambrose at the end.”

But it wasn’t just Harvick versus Pruett; this race had fireworks written all over it. When Pruett cut off the move, Harvick responded by hitting him in the right-rear quarter panel, and a multi-car accident ensued. The clash between the two ruined Kevin Harvick Incorporated driver Ron Fellows’ chance to win, and he ultimately finished fourth.

Robby Gordon, who had crossed the finish line first, was disqualified after a post-race inspection violation, while Marcus Ambrose, who had been leading, fell to 7th after a wild restart. The shuffle left Harvick standing tall in victory lane, but the path there was anything but simple.

Knowing that such decisions can strain relationships within the team, especially when they involve actions that affect teammates’ chances in the race, Harvick completely understands Hamlin’s aggressive move.

Harvick added, “Well, I mean, I know I wiped everybody out, but I won the race and I did my job as a driver for the team… but when you’re in that car, you have to do everything that you can to win for the car that you’re driving. That’s the obligation that you have. So, but you know, I think that in today’s world, it’s, you know, there’s a lot on the line in the playoffs and in the end, one of them didn’t win the race.”

Kevin also mentioned how his wife, and co-owner of Kevin Harvick Incorporated, DeLana, flipped him off, and the entire flight ride back was quiet for Harvick. Fast forward to Kansas, and the aftermath was costly for both Hamlin and Bubba Wallace.

While a win would have guaranteed entry into NASCAR’s Round of 8 for either driver, Hamlin was forced to accept second place, and Wallace fell further below the playoff qualification line. And Hamlin refuses to apologize.  But while Harvick somewhat sympathizes with Hamlin, he also slams him over the “unwritten rule” of racing against teammates or, in this case, your employee.

He said, ”  I’ve been in a position that Denny Hamlin is in currently where you drive for another team and you own cars. And it’s really difficult because if he doesn’t drive in there and try to win the race and do what he did, his team is going to be mad. And when it worked out the way that it did, the only rule that he broke is one of you better win… And it took both teams out of contention, and they handed a gimme to Chase Elliott…That’s the kind of the unwritten rule. If you’re going to bang doors with your teammate and you’re going to do all those things, you better make sure one of you wins the race.”

Both drivers now face increased pressure as the playoff rounds continue. Kevin Harvick may have backed Denny Hamlin after his move at Kansas, but the 2014 Cup Series champion picks another JGR driver as Charlotte’s favorite.

Kevin Harvick crowns a JGR driver for last race of the Round of 12

Kevin Harvick is stepping into the prediction spotlight ahead of this weekend’s Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He’s putting his money on Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell to take the checkered flag.

On a recent episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, the NASCAR veteran didn’t hesitate in backing Christopher Bell, pointing to his strong and consistent performances on road courses as a reason he could shine on Sunday.

He said, “I’m going to take Bell. He’s been solid at the Roval.” Christopher Bell has built an impressive resume at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. In five starts, he has claimed one victory, notched two top-five finishes, and secured three top-tens, posting an average finish of 10 at this challenging track.

His standout triumph in 2022 adds extra excitement and optimism for another strong showing in this weekend’s crucial playoff race. While Bell is strongly urging NASCAR to return to the 36-race playoff system,  Harvick’s confidence in Bell makes him the driver to watch in this elimination.