2014 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Champion Kevin Harvick joined Dukes & Bell to talk about the 2019 Daytona 500 and upcoming season.
Harvick talked about Hendrick motorsports being on the front row for the Daytona 500, and why he’s not worried about it at all.
“I can tell you that Hendrick has been on the front row a number of years here in Daytona but you have to be in a Ford if you want to win this race.” Harvick said “because we have some strong cars when it comes to race day.”
Kevin told the guys what it was like to take over for Dale Earnhardt after his death at the Daytona 500 in 2001.
“I think a lot of it was being a little naive not understanding the magnitude of it. Said Harvick “My first press conference in cup was the biggest one I’ll ever do taking over for Earnhardt and winning that first race like I did. They were life learning moments that I still probably don’t understand the amount of pressure that was on me that year, because of me taking over the car and Dale being gone.”
When asked about what he would change in NASCAR to make the sport better.
“The thing I’ve been the most consistent talking about is probably the schedule, there’s too many races the season needs to start sooner and end sooner.” Harvick said “Changing the all-star race location, the championship race location, changing the chase races. these are all things that NASCAR has been open about changing so hopefully it’s something that happens.”
Harvick told the guys how tough it is to win a Daytona 500 race.
“A lot of times you end up without your teammate, sometimes you end up against your teammate. If you’re in a place to win this race then there’s always a high anxiety, this is my 18th Daytona 500 and I’ve only been in a spot to win it 3 or 4 times, a lot of greats didn’t win this race in their time.”
