Mark Martin claims ‘winning’ is Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR legacy

Kevin Harvick marked his final Cup race in the 2023 season finale at Phoenix.

Mark Martin claims ‘winning’ is Kevin Harvick’s NASCAR legacy

Mark Martin and Kevin Harvick (Via IMAGO)

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season witnessed the end of an era as the sport’s last legacy driver, Kevin Harvick, retired from the premier division. Harvick, who has won over 62 Cup races and the Cup titles in 2014, is leaving the sport after cementing his position as a first-ballot Hall of Fame entry once he gets eligible.

Recently, his former team, Stewart Haas Racing, shared a compilation of words from the legends of NASCAR about what they see as Harvick’s NASCAR legacy on social media, including X. Hall of Famer Mark Martin was the first person to share his thoughts on the video. He highlighted Harvick’s ability to win races from impossible situations as his legacy.

His legacy is winning. Winning when it didn’t look like it was going to be possible.
Mark Martin told SHR.

Martin hints at the trait that gave Kevin Harvick the moniker “The Closer.” He was given the nickname, acknowledging his ability to race to the front from difficult starting positions before overtaking the race leader in the final laps to score the win. Some of his renowned Cup wins were the product of his impressive last-lap overtakes.

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Rodney Childers reveals Kevin Harvick’s legacy

For Harvick’s long-time crew chief and close friend Rodney Childers, the No:4 team’s and the driver’s legacy is closely associated with the 2014 Cup title triumph. Harvick won his maiden and only world title in 2014, his debut season at SHR.

Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childers
Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childers (Credits: NBC Sports)
Winning the championship was everything in our first season together. To win races together, to win a championship, the excitement of crossing that finish line was something that can never be replaced.

While Harvick has moved on to broadcasting and other racing priorities, Childers has started working with the New No:4 Ford Mustang driver Josh Berry. He will be hoping to have success similar to what the No:4 team has been able to achieve over the last ten seasons with Harvick.

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