Kevin Harvick reveals the words of wisdom from Mark Martin about retirement
Kevin Harvick ended his Cup career with a solid top-10 finish at Phoniex.
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Mark Martin and Kevin Harvick (Via IMAGO)
2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick retired from the Cup series at the 2023 season finale at Phoenix Raceway. The man who came to the primer division as Dale Earnhardt’s replacement following his tragic death in 2001 ended his career with 60 Cup race wins and a Hall of Fame career.
Harvick announced at the start of the season that 2023 would be his last, and he had a solid retirement tour. He is one of the few drivers who had the luxury of ending his career on his terms rather than being forced out. Harvick got solid retirement advice before making the final call from Fellow legend Mark Martin.
Martin, who went on the same retirement tour as Harvick, just unretired and returned as he wanted yet ready to stop racing. He retired and unretired twice before ending his career finally. Martin told Harvick that he shouldn’t retire until and unless he is 100% sure he is done with the sport.
I think that’s one thing that Mark Martin was very clear on and he had the retirement tour and then unretired and raced several more years. He’s like, ‘Kevin, just make sure you race until you know, 100% that you’re done.Kevin Harvick said via Dale Jr. Download (H&T: On3.com).
Kevin Harvick will race in the Truck and Xfinity races in the future
While the Phoenix race was the final race of the RCR and SHR legend’s career, he confirmed that a return to the Cup is not on the cards in the near future. He is adamant that he is no longer planning to race in the premier division since he can’t be competitive anymore.
But he has kept the doors open for a potential return to the Xfinity and Truck Series. He reportedly doesn’t have a manufacturer commitment, and it will be easier for him to get a ride in the second and third tier, as bringing in sponsors won’t be a hard task.
I think that’s something I would have to lean on somebody like [Dale Earnhardt Jr.] to say, ‘Is that worth doing it? I think the Xfinity stuff is something – I want to make sure that I do a really good job for FOX. Until I get done with that, and once I get done in June and say, ‘Maybe we can fit this in; this looks like a good weekend, and we could do it?’
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Justin P Joy
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