The 2014 Cup Collection champion’s Stewart-Haas Racing Ford will change from its common #four to make use of the #29 in a throwback paint scheme harking back to the design which adorned Harvick’s Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet when he received his first Cup race in 2001.
His breakthrough victory at Atlanta over Jeff Gordon got here in simply Harvick’s third sequence begin with RCR’s #three crew, which had been rebranded as #29 following driver Dale Earnhardt’s dying in a last-lap wreck within the season-opening Daytona 500 two weeks earlier.
“Once I sat within the No. 29 for the primary time, it actually wasn’t by alternative, however I positively wouldn’t have completed it any in a different way,” mentioned Harvick, who will name time on his Cup Collection profession on the finish of this season.
“Dale’s passing modified our sport perpetually, and it modified my life perpetually and the route it took.
“Trying again on it now, I realise the significance of getting within the Cup automotive, after which I wound up successful my first race at Atlanta within the #29 automotive after Dale’s dying.
“The importance and the significance of preserving that automotive on the race observe and successful that race early at Atlanta – understanding now what it meant to the game, and simply that second typically of having the ability to stick with it – was so vital.”
The choice to utilise the #29 within the non-championship All-Star occasion is a part of Harvick’s need spotlight lots of particular moments of his NASCAR profession.
“I had a terrific 13 years at RCR and actually realized lots by the method due to being thrown into Dale’s automotive, the place my first press convention as a Cup Collection driver was the largest press convention I might ever have in my profession, the place my first moments had been my greatest moments,” he mentioned.
Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
“With the All-Star Race going to North Wilkesboro – a spot with a tonne of historical past – we thought it made sense in a 12 months stuffed with milestones and moments to spotlight the place it began.”
Harvick has competed in each All-Star Race since becoming a member of the Cup Collection in 2001, successful twice in 2007 and 2018.
This 12 months’s All-Star Race returns to North Wilkesboro – a observe that first appeared on the Cup Collection schedule in 1949 however has not hosted NASCAR nationwide sequence competitors since 1996.
“I don’t know the final time the All-Star Race was essentially the most anticipated occasion of the season,” Harvick mentioned. “Followers are going to indicate up in droves.
“North Wilkesboro is a superb brief observe, the asphalt’s worn out, and I believe it’s going to be a incredible occasion.”
