Kevin Harvick has an incredible tale about his initial encounter with Dale Earnhardt during his career. Dale Earnhardt and Kevin Harvick, who recently retired from the sport, had a close relationship after being involved in the sport for over twenty years. Harvick recently shared a special moment from their first meeting, where they were given guns by the legendary racer.
Harvick was honing his racing skills under the guidance of Dale Sr. at RCR when they first crossed paths. It was a significant moment when Harvick and four-time NASCAR Truck Series champion, Ron Hornaday, approached Earnhardt in his office to request permission to learn how to shoot. Earnhardt immediately expressed concern, warning them about the potential dangers.
The conversation continued, and Senior instructed Hornaday to bring out the trucks. He then led Harvick into a room adjacent to his office, where he stored his gun and other belongings. It was in this room that Harvick received his first shotgun, a cherished memento he still holds dear.
During his time at RCR, Harvick served as their development driver and made sporadic appearances in the cup series. He was expected to secure a full-time seat in 2002. However, tragedy struck the NASCAR series sooner than anticipated.
In the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt lost his life in a devastating crash. This loss, reminiscent of the loss of another prominent figure in motorsport, sparked global discussions about safety. RCR was left with a void in their driver lineup, and Harvick was called up to fill the gap left by Earnhardt.
Harvick embraced his new role and made an immediate impact, securing a victory just three weeks after joining the team. He remained with RCR until 2013 before joining SHR in 2014, where he won the championship in his first season. Although he often contended for championships, Harvick’s legacy will be remembered for years to come.