NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick, known for his fierce determination and indomitable championship spirit, humored fans this week with a never-before-told story showcasing his lighter side. The Closer has always been vocal about the profound impact Dale Earnhardt Sr, the iconic “Intimidator,” had on the early stages of his career at Richard Childress Racing. But in a recent episode of his brand new “Happy Hour with Kevin Harvick,” segment, he went a step further, sharing two untold stories that paint a heartwarming yet bada** picture of the iconic Earnhardt, leaving fans both intrigued and shaken by his vibrant personality.

Harvick sits down with the brains behind his long-time sponsor, Realtree. The outdoor lifestyle brand, owned by Bill and Tyler Jordan, has been a loyal partner throughout Harvick’s prestigious career, with their iconic camouflage designs gracing his cars on countless occasions, from his debut as a rookie in the Truck Series in 1995 till his transition to a booth role after almost winning at Phoenix for a record tenth time and retiring in the 2023 season.

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Therefore, it was only apt that the father-son duo were the first to receive the exclusive scoop on Harvick’s comedic interactions with Senior. Recalling a visit to Michigan for an ACDelco sponsorship deal announcement, Harvick found himself in an unexpected situation upon entering the #3 trailer of Earnhardt with the man behind RCR himself, Richard Childress.

I’m, you know, 23 years old, and just everything there is great, and we’re going over to the trailer. We do our announcement, and we walk over to the trailer. He’s (Richard Childress) like, ‘Come on, let’s go see what. Let’s go see what Dale’s doing.’ So we walk up in the #3 trailer and walk up in the lounge because we’re like 15-20 minutes before practice, and we walk in, and it was absolutely nothing that I never thought I would see in my whole life.” Harvick smiled mischievously, reflecting on the absurd yet memorable anecdote.

Describing Earnhardt’s casual attire and nonchalant demeanor, Harvick couldn’t help but laugh at the surreal sight. “But I walk in and there stands Dale Earnhardt. You know you’re thinking this guy in this big GM Goodwrench suit; he’s got his underwear on and two gloves on his hand, and he’s like, ‘Hey Richard!’ ‘How you doing, Kevin?’” mimicked Harvick, trying to do his best Dale Earnhardt impression.

“And he walks over, shakes my hand in his gloves, standing in his briefs, and I’m like, ‘Well, um, what’s happening in here?’ He’s like, ‘Well, I got to wear these new gloves, and so I don’t like them if I don’t wear them for a while, so he’s just standing up there in his race gloves and his underwear, walking around just in between, I guess, getting in his driver’s suit.” The former driver for Stewart-Haas Racing’s #4 Ford Mustang laughed off in comedic disbelief.

Wanted shotguns, not golf Clubs

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The surreal scene inside the iconic #3 trailer at Michigan was just one chapter in Harvick’s colorful interactions with the legendary Earnhardt Sr. However, the roots of their camaraderie traced back to an ‘explosive’ incident a few months prior, involving Harvick and fellow racer, Truck Series talisman, and former driver for DEI, as well as RCR, Ron Hornaday Jr.

Reflecting on a comical yet ‘intimidating’ escapade, Harvick recalled their bright youngblood idea of ditching golf clubs for some shotgun practice in the off-time. Yeah, seriously. The 2014 Cup Series Champion began, drawing the amusement of his former sponsors, “So the first time I met Dale I was uh with Ron Hornaday, and we had decided that we weren’t very good at golf and we were going to go and we were going to get some shotguns .”

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And who did the duo look to to seek help in fulfilling their adrenaline quota? The Man in Black himself, “We walk straight upstairs; we bust through Earnhardt’s office door, and he’s sitting at his desk.” Harvick vividly recalls the entrance. Earnhardt, ever the no-nonsense guy, shot back with the most classic Earnhardt line ever: “What the hell do you two want?”

Harvick spilled the beans like the professional he is. “We want to go learn how to shoot a shotgun,”  exclaimed the young racers, itching for an adrenaline fix. Earnhardt, the senior racer at this point, concerned for their safety, took charge. inquiring in an advisory capacity, “Shouldn’t you be outside in the shop working on your race cars?”

An ‘Intimidating’ Mentorship

Fast forward to a ‘gear-head’ shop filled with ‘guns and knives’ behind Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Dale Sr’s spirited solution to help the mentees “raise hell”. “Can you come get these two morons and teach them how to shoot these guns correctly?” he asked an instructor from Remington, ensuring the youngins of the 90s get the best professional instruction when it comes to learning dangerous off-track activities. The sign of a true mentor.

Harvick wrapped up the shotgun saga with a sentimental touch, reminiscing, “That’s where I got my first shotgun; it was from Dale, and he gave myself and Hornaday a Remington shotgun. To this day, I still have it.”

While these humorous yet nostalgic accounts shed light on Earnhardt’s multifaceted off-track personality, they also serve as a poignant reminder of the immense impact he had on Kevin Harvick’s long-term career. Thrusting into the spotlight with RCR following Earnhardt’s tragic passing in 2001, Harvick faced the daunting task of filling the shoes of a 7x Championship-winning legend.

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Yet the 48-year-old’s story stands testament to the fact that he did indeed rise to the occasion, exceeding expectations and going on to achieve incredible success, amassing 60 Cup Series wins and solidifying his place as a NASCAR icon in his own right.