Kevin Harvick has been one of the longest-serving stalwarts of NASCAR. Over the years, he has been in the shoes of a rookie, a champion, a father, a husband, and, in recent times, a ray of hope for Stewart-Haas Racing. At the start of this season, the 47-year-old made it clear that this would be his last Cup Series campaign. As the postseason ends, we get closer to waving goodbye to one of the sport’s most loved drivers.

The #4 driver for Stewart-Haas Racing has given the fans countless memories to reminisce about. From replacing the legendary Dale Earnhardt in the iconic #3 Chevrolet to becoming the first driver to win a playoff-format championship in 2014, he has gradually built a Hall of Fame-worthy career. As the final race approaches, NASCAR pays tribute to an iconic career that can make adults cry.

Kevin Harvick sends out an emotional message as he readies to hang up his boots

With a NASCAR championship, a happy and flourishing family, and an ever-lasting legacy, Kevin Harvick has had a life many would be jealous of. Having dedicated more than two decades of his life to this sport, the veteran has always had the motivation to perform on the track. Even in the last season of his career, he was the outright best driver on a dismal Stewart-Haas Racing team.

Harvick steadied SHR’s ship this season by being the only driver to make the playoffs. Although he couldn’t make it past the Round of 16, it is pretty understandable, looking at the team’s situation. In NASCAR’s official farewell video for the 60-time Cup race winner, Harvick said,

“I’ve been to the mountain top. I’ve been to the other side. I don’t even think about legacy; you think about next week, and when those weeks are over, then we’ll worry about the legacy. It’s the end of the story. You want your reputation to be upheld, to be able to end that way and walk out. It finally feels like you made it.”

Looking back at Harvick’s career, he has been one of the most consistent and reliable drivers throughout his tenure. The 2001 Rookie of the Year winner took over the iconic #3 and delivered a win by beating Jeff Gordon in only his third start in the car. That alone speaks volumes about his reliability behind the steering wheel.

Following NASCAR’s release of the tribute, fans have gathered to celebrate an illustrious career and reminisce about their favorite memories of a champion and a legend.

Read More: “I Wound Up With More Wedgies”- Kevin Harvick Reveals the Repercussions of Tony Stewart Halloween “Weight Joke”

NASCAR fans prepare for a teary goodbye

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The fans always loved Kevin Harvick. Breaking onto the scene to replace one of the sport’s most revered drivers helped his case. But apart from that, the California native has been phenomenal for two widely-followed racing teams, SHR and Richard Childress Racing. NASCAR’s post on Instagram reminded everyone of how good Harvick was back in the day, as fans flocked to send their flowers.

“Doesn’t matter who you pull for today, we’re all feeling it bc we’re losing one of the last OG’s from an era that we’ll never forget,” commented a fan, pointing at the end of an era in the sport. Harvick is among the few drivers in the competition to have been in the sport since the early 2000s.

Another fan remembered the Cup Series championship race at Homestead in 2014. Harvick beat Ryan Newman to the finish line in an intense, close race that could have gone either way until the final lap. He commented, “I’ll always remember the 2014 finale and feeling happy watching him win the title, and then his wins last year were amazing to see. It’s gonna be weird next year without him.”

“I’m not crying. You’re crying”, and “Dang, someone must be cutting onions,” were some of the other emotional comments expressing the fans’ sadness at Harvick’s departure.

“I wish I could have a car to race like he use to . The Man that Took the Man’s Place. He helped a lot of fans in Atlanta,” said another fan, thanking Harvick for his timely intervention after The Intimidator.

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Looking at the comments would take one back to his glorious achievements throughout his career. NASCAR will have difficulty replacing him and his aura in the sport.