Folks, most drivers in NASCAR become villains by beating the most popular driver or someone from the most-loved team. That’s the same reason why Denny Hamlin is currently the most hated driver in the garage. His iconic line, “I beat your favorite driver,” started when he got Chase Elliott suspended for a race in  2023. And fans blamed Hamlin for this, even when it was Elliott who intentionally wrecked the number #11 at the Coca-Cola 600. And the same has been the case when Hamlin’s had run-ins with Kyle Larson. The point is that if you rattle an MPD like how Chase has been for the past 7 years, the consequences can be harmful. And in Kevin Harvick’s case, it went a little too far!

So, there was one man who won it for a straight 15 years before Elliott took the crown of being the Most Popular Driver. And had he not retired in 2017, he’d probably still win it. And folks, most of you must have guessed who we are talking about. This incident with Dale Earnhardt Jr and Harvick was back in 2011. The Bakersfield native hadn’t thought in his wildest dreams the kind of welcome he would get back home after the Martinsville race.

Dale Jr fans terrorized Kevin Harvick

With Martinsville becoming the next venue for NASCAR, it’s the perfect time to bring this into the picture. And Harvick, on his podcast ‘Happy Hour,’ was discussing the one time he won the race there out of his 45 attempts. And even in that one win, it felt like a “lose-lose” to him.

Picture this!

It’s 2011, and Kyle Busch is leading the ‘Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500’ with 29 laps to go with Dale Earnhardt Jr on his tail. And many thought, eventually, Junior would pass Busch and take the checkered flag. Junior did pass Busch, but that wasn’t the end of it.

With 5 laps to go, Kevin Harvick took the lead from Junior and won the race. While Harvick was pumped with the win, the emotions quickly changed as soon as Harvick was home that weekend. In a recent podcast episode, he shared the story. He said, “We had a wreck early in the race, and we were able to get the car fixed. And we were really good on the long run in that particular day. And I don’t remember know how many laps were to go. I think it was 8 or 9 laps to go, and I passed Dale Jr for the win.”

He continued, “And that was one of those scenarios… a lose-lose situation. It was great to win the race, but you are never gonna be the hero of the moment. Because Dale Jr. was gonna be the guy that everybody was rooting for. I did get home that weekend. I got home that weekend, and there were people waiting at my front gate at my house.”

And these people weren’t there to congratulate him for the win. They were there to thrash him!

“They were Earnhardt fans, Junior fans. And just screaming and yelling at me. I guess I got too close to him. They were mad about any moment he didn’t win. So you never knew what was waiting for you on the other side of beating Dale Jr.” 

And before all this unfolded, Kevin Harvick was happy winning that iconic grandfather’s clock of Martinsville. Speaking about where he will put it, will it be his decision or his wife Delana’s? He had said, “As long as we have it, we can put it anywhere. I am not going to get in an argument.”

Also, probably what upset NASCAR fans even more was seeing their favorite driver sad. After the race, Junior had said, “I don’t know. I’m just happy to be running well. Happy to be in the mix. I’m thankful for the opportunity I’ve got. Thankful for the help that I’ve got from my team. I want to thank AMP, and National Guard, and all of our supporters, but the race team works hard. When I don’t have the speed, they find the speed. It’s working real good together. I’m frustrated that I got close, and I was out there leading, and I’m thinking I’m going to try to take me home a clock. I hate it that I didn’t win.” 

Because of Harvick, Junior’s long losing streak continued out of Martinsville. And this wasn’t the only race where Harvick got into hot water with ‘Junebug’ fans.

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It wasn’t a good time to be part of the Dale Earnhardt Jr. army

At Martinsville, Dale Jr. running at the front was nearly after 100 races. It’s hard to believe, but the #88 driver was coming from a long 3-year winless streak, and it could have all ended at Martinsville. On the other hand, Harvick was having a great run in 2011.

First, he won the Auto Club race and went back-to-back in Martinsville. And who would have thought the next time Dale Jr. would be in contention for a win…it would again be Harvick snatching the win.

Folks fast forward to the Coca-Cola 600, where Dale Earnhardt Jr was leading. And with him taking the white flag in the race, the crowd was on their feet. Finally, Junior was going to win. But, ahead of the final turn, he ran out of gas, and Harvick passed him to take the crown jewel home. What bad luck to win the race, which was destined for Junior to win.

That, too, twice. Anyway, Harvick did not want a mob outside his house this time. So he decided to join in with Dale Jr fans, assuring them that good days are just up ahead.

Post the race, Harvick said, “I think everybody sitting up here would say we want the 88 to win, and they’re so close to winning, and both times they had a chance to win. We are going to do what we have to do to win the races, and today it all just worked out strategy-wise that we won the race. But I feel so stinking bad for him, and I know how bad he wants it. It’ll happen.” 

It worked; Harvick was left alone. But still, Dale Earnhardt Jr remained winless that season.

What are your memories from the 2011 NASCAR Cup Series season? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.