Kevin Harvick Unable to Shake Off Darlington Rage After “Luigi” Gibe Exposes Boiling Hostility Toward Tyler Reddick

It seems Kevin Harvick is not one to give up a grudge so easily! While the veteran has severed his relation to the steering wheel, many have opined last year’s Darlington debacle with Tyler Reddick is still fresh in his mind. Just two weeks ago, after Reddick won the first race of the season at Talladega, Kevin Harvick was all compliments about the #45’s sharp potential. But his latest comments hint that he might still be hung up on the events of last year’s Southern 500 at Darlington.

Harvick bid adieu to NACSAR last year after 23 years on the track. Since then he has been a part of Fox’s NASCAR broadcasting team. And during NASCAR’s throwback weekend in Darlington, he didn’t shy away from what he thought of Reddick’s new look.

“I don’t like Reddick’s mustache,” Kevin Harvick still hung up on the past

During the throwback weekend, Reddick decided to switch up his look before qualifying by shaving off his beard and sporting only a mustache. His look was a nod to Tim Richmond and so was his throwback paint scheme on his #45 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota car. 

However, Kevin Harvick wasn’t feeling the new vibe. Up in the booth, when the topic came up, the former SHR driver threw out a zinger, “I don’t like Tyler Reddick’s mustache… he looks like Luigi.“ His fellow broadcast partner Mike Joy jumped in with, “From Mario Kart???“ While the comment lightened the mood, it could be possible that Harvick is still holding a grudge from last year’s race. What added more fuel to the fire was what Kevin Harvick also mentioned during the broadcast about Reddick. “I don’t like Tyler Reddick..,” the former SHR racer reportedly said.

Interesting fact: This wasn’t the first time Reddick’s Darlington appearance had a Tim Richmond reference. In 2018, his JR Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series adopted the Old Milwaukee colors and sponsorship from Richmond’s three years (1983-85) with Beadle’s team.

Perhaps his hostility is rooted in last year’s Southern 500 when, with about 50 laps left, Kevin Harvick was right behind Tyler Reddick, gunning for the lead. Harvick decided to pit, and just as he did, Reddick also slowed down—apparently trying to duck into pit road too—and ended up crashing into Ryan Newman.

That move from Reddick triggered a caution right as Harvick was nearing the pit road line, and the caution lights flashed on, signaling that the pit road was closed. Harvick went ahead with his pit stop anyway, explaining later that he “didn’t think I could turn right” in time to avoid entering. And the incident landed him a penalty, forcing him to pit again and putting him a lap down. 

Harvick did manage to claw back to finish P19 and stay on the lead lap, but the outcome was a tough pill to swallow, knowing what could have been. Even Rodney Childers, Harvick’s crew chief, didn’t mince words about their frustration afterward.

Speaking to Frontstretch, he laid the blame on Reddick, “It all happened because the #45 (Tyler Reddick) tried to do something it shouldn’t have. That part’s the more disappointing thing. I also see the reasoning and I also see why he did it and all that. It’s part of racing. Hate that it happened, we had a strong car and could’ve should’ve.”

But it’s kind of surprising to hear Kevin Harvick’s comments from the Darlington booth, especially since just a few weeks ago he was all praises for the same driver.

“Love the fire and passion,” Kevin Harvick had nothing but praise for Tyler Reddick earlier

Tyler Reddick nailed it at Talladega by steering clear of a major wreck on the final lap to claim victory at NASCAR’s GEICO 500. The win not only sparked celebrations from team owner Michael Jordan but also earned Reddick some warm remarks from Kevin Harvick.

While chatting with the NASCAR on Fox crew, Harvick reflected on Reddick’s performance: “You could feel the emotion from Tyler Reddick and just the relief to get that car into victory lane. And I like that. I love the fire and the passion and enthusiasm. Week before, I didn’t think he did a very good job, you know. Closing that race out at Texas, he got frustrated on a couple of restarts, made three or four mistakes, and lost several positions. Came back with a decent finish, but he’s driving and acting like he expects to win every single week.”

Meanwhile, Reddick’s new look did bring him luck at as he clinched pole for Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. This was his first pole of the season and the seventh overall of his Cup career. Speaking afterward he joked that his moustache might have given him an edge. He said, “It certainly helped, that’s for sure.” 

For now, it seems Kevin Harvick hasn’t gotten over the events of last year. Perhaps with time, the veteran will warm up to the Tyler Reddick. What do you think?