Kevin Harvick Delivers Emotional Tribute to His Late Stewart Haas Racing teammate

Kevin Harvick took to X to pay his heartfelt condolences to Rick 'Otis' Hodges, a long-time hauler at Stewart-Haas Racing.

Kevin Harvick Delivers Emotional Tribute to His Late Stewart Haas Racing teammate

Kevin Harvick with Rick 'Otis' Hodges (via KevinHarvick/X)

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The NASCAR community mourns yet another loss of a member, just days after the former NASCAR driver Michael Annett‘s passing. In a sad turn of events, a crucial member of now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing, who worked very closely with the championship-winning squad of Kevin Harvick, has passed away. The 2014 Cup Series champion has taken to social media to pay his condolences to the deceased, Rick ‘Otis’ Hodges.

Rick Otis Hodges had been a long-time hauler in NASCAR, working directly with multiple big-name teams in the sport. He spent a long career at the pinnacle of stock racing for over two decades and earned a great name despite not actively racing on the track. Otis notably worked for Dale Earnhardt Inc. before ultimately moving to the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing at the same time as Kevin Harvick‘s entry to the team in 2014.

Kevin Harvick achieved a highly successful season with SHR in 2014 and achieved his only Cup Series championship win that year. Rick Hodges had been at the center of it and helped the #4 driver to win the title in more ways than one. Now, following Otis’s shocking demise, Harvick took to X and paid his due diligence to the dearly departed soul, with many others paying their tribute as well.

There isn’t much information on the reasons behind Rick Hodges’ passing away, but many people in the NASCAR community have not failed to pay their tribute. Kevin Harvick declared that he was grateful for all the years he spent together with Otis at SHR. Both of them partnered up at Stewart-Haas Racing for the entirety of Harvick’s career with the team from 2014 to 2023 and were together up until the very end.

I am grateful for the years spent together, from my first to my final season with SHR. Otis, this toast is for to you.

Kevin Harvick said via X, @KevinHarvick.

Rodney Childers pays tribute to Rick Otis Hodges on social media

Similar to Kevin Harvick, Rodney Childers was one of the closest people to Rick Hodges. The SHR crew chief, directly responsible for Harvick’s championship-winning 2014 campaign, celebrated each and every achievement hard with Otis. Childers was one of the many who were utterly shocked at the sad demise of Otis and paid his tribute to the departed soul on X.

Kevin Harvick hugging Rick 'Otis' Hodges following his successful 2014 campaign (via @KevinHarvick/X)
Kevin Harvick hugging Rick ‘Otis’ Hodges following his successful 2014 campaign (via @KevinHarvick/X)

Rodney Childers asserted that Otis meant the world to everyone on the #4 crew, including himself. Childers recalled how the team, along with the hauler, made a lot of trips to the victory and celebrated each victory in complete style. Moreover, the crew chief’s children loved Otis as well.

Though a person may pass away from their physical form, they are always survived by the memories of their loved ones, and Childers hopes to never forget Hodges and keep him in his memory forever.

Otis, you meant the world to me and everyone on the 4 team. We made lots of trips to victory lane and sprayed a lot of beer over the years. You were such a special part of that. My boys loved you so much. Thank you buddy! We are going to miss you every day.

Rodney Childers said via X, @RodneyChilders4.

Certainly, a NASCAR team operates and succeeds due to the efforts of each and every person involved in the process. The team works more like a close-knit family and considers everyone a member of their family rather than a mere co-worker. Though the passing away of Otis is extremely sad, it is very delightful and heartwarming to witness just how loved he was by each member of SHR and many other teams.

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