When we talk about family legacies in NASCAR, many father and son pairings have cemented the fact that the love for racing runs in the blood. With that being said, the Harvick family is slightly different. Whilst Keelan Harvick and Piper Harvick are making a name for themselves as their father’s successors, to the utter surprise of many, there happen to be more than just three racers in the Harvick family.
DeLana Harvick is best known as the former manager of Kevin Harvick Incorporated, but did you know that the Kernersville native tried her hand at Late Model Racing? Speaking of which, as Harvick revealed the ‘rough’ seas they faced during his wife’s Late Model debut, DeLana had to make a slight correction to the narrative.
Kevin Harvick takes a trip down memory lane with former RCR crew chief Todd Berrier
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It’s no secret that Kevin Harvick and his former crew chief, Todd Berrier, were a formidable force during their time at RCR. The duo’s road to glory began in the Nationwide Series as they brought in three victories for Richard Childress Racing. But that’s not the only venture they embarked on together. In the latest episode of Harvick’s Happy Hour, Kevin Harvick shared insights from their time helping DeLana Harvick make her Late Model debut.
The host stated; “We got involved in this Late Model that her dad had promised her that she was gonna drive if she graduated from college so she did all the things that she was supposed to do and she’s like, I want to race. And so, we started going to the shop and this thing is, it was rough.” According to Harvick, the condition of DeLana’s stock-model car was as rough as he remembers seeing.
Todd Berrier and @KevinHarvick didn't just work together. They also helped @DelanaHarvick with her first race car.
Catch an all-new episode of #KevinHarvicksHappyHour right here ➡️ https://t.co/yrElmfUe1m pic.twitter.com/g57vgoxhOc
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) May 9, 2024
This led to Harvick making a revelation DeLana wasn’t too proud of. He stated, “So we take Delana to the racetrack, and she goes out there, it’s a 100-lap race at Kenly, and she spins out three times. The last time she spins out, she can’t reach the switches in the car. So we had to go on the race track, start the car back up, and then she would fire off.”
The Cup Series veteran shared that “the racetrack had finally had enough of Delana spinning out” as officials highlighted the three-spin rule, meaning DeLana would have to DNF. Fortunately, Harvick stood his ground and backed up his wife, stating that she was “going to finish the race” at all costs.
To conclude, Harvick took a shot at the ‘rough’ Late Model car driven by DeLana and felt that the switchboard was the least of their worries. Still, the veteran failed to mention a vital aspect of her car. Rather disappointed, DeLana Harvick shared a rebuttal on X, “Ummmmmm you failed to mention I had no power steering”
Ummmmmm you failed to mention I had no power steering 🙃 https://t.co/1qtUhtUnhl
— DeLana Harvick (@DeLanaHarvick) May 9, 2024
Whilst it’s safe to say Kevin Harvick doesn’t have the fondest of memories around his wife’s Late Model debut, the NASCAR community sidelined the veteran to sing DeLana’s praises.
Fans highlight DeLana’s ‘toughness’ after hearing Kevin Harvick’s revelation
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For many fans, it was the first time they had ever heard of DeLana Harvick’s racing experience. Some were curious to know why we didn’t see more of it, as they said, “Actually was wondering the other day if you ever raced, 1 and done?” Whereas others felt they needed to know the entire story. After picking up on DeLana’s woes with no power steering, one fan inquired, “Delana, we need to hear YOUR side of this story! @KevinHarvick its only fair”
Before hearing Harvick’s revelation, many fans believed it was only Kevin Harvick and his children who were racers. But now that we know that DeLana’s prowess on the track extended beyond her managerial role at KHI, users were fascinated to know just how capable she was.
A fan commended DeLana for her vast experience, “Am I the only one who is fascinated by the fact that @KevinHarvick,@KeelanHarvick, and @PiperHarvick are not the only racers in the family? I literally had no idea you raced at all at any time. This was a good listen and solidifies who has always worn the firesuit in the family.” Others felt finishing a race with such a ‘tough’ late-model car was in itself a major feat- “So… what you’re telling me you’re the actual toughest racer in the fam?”
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At the same time, some poked fun at Harvick’s honest mistake. One fan stated, “Someone isn’t getting any for a while” Another joked about the opportunities Harvick’s children have, “He is playing favorites!! Look at Keelan“
But after taking a look at DeLana Harvick’s resilience against a Late Model car that didn’t even have power steering, it’s safe to say that each member of the Harvick family is truly a racer.