Kevin Harvick’s Wholesome Surprise Redeems Fox’s Reputation After Daytona Broadcast Blunder

The Ambetter race at Atlanta saw a jaw-dropping photo finish. Fans were in awe in the stands when three drivers delivered a visual spectacle in the finishing lap. Daniel Suarez got the better of Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch by a matter of milliseconds. The brilliant finish drew a wave of applause. But older fans got goosebumps because they were reminded of a race from 23 years ago when the legendary Kevin Harvick won in 2001 win on the same track.

Fox has Kevin Harvick to thank following his latest video

Rewind to the previous race, The Daytona 500 witnessed a tumult of emotions among spectators. William Byron emerged as the winner, but what really caught everyone’s attention was a controversial aerial coverage of the victory lap. Fans claimed that there was barely any video evidence to sanction Byron and not Alex Bowman as the winner. The blame was put squarely on Fox.

Mike Joy had defended Fox by sharing an aerial photo, proving that Byron was the winner. He tweeted, “This is a freeze of our @NASCARONFOX aerial coverage.” But that did little to pacify the raging complaints posed by fans.

Enter, Kevin Harvick. Ahead of the Ambetter Health 400 race at Atlanta, Kevin Harvick took it upon himself to absolve the bad blood of fans. Reminiscing his emotional victory at Atlanta in 2001, he curated a video featuring fans who recalled their experience of the race 23 years back.

Following the tragic end of Dale Earnhardt, Harvick filled the seat of the legendary #3 car driven by Dale Earnhardt and drove it to victory in Atlanta. After outsmarting Jeff Gordon and winning the title, Harvick held three fingers out the window in tribute to the legendary racer.

After Fox released the video that harkened back to 2001, fans flooded social media with praises. Jeff Gluck tweeted, “Anyone just catch that segment on FOX? They had fans who were at Harvick’s first win in 2001 telling stories of their experiences, and then they posed for a group photo at the end and Harvick came up behind them and surprised them. Pretty cool idea.”

Some fans applauded Harvick’s talent in front of the camera. “Harvick is really good at this TV thing. Much respect and props for the work he clearly puts in.” Another fan tweeted, “Every time I watch the replay of that race I get goosebumps! Great segment by fox!”

Another fan recalled the actual event in 2001 “was awesome . . . and I was in my living room in Queesns nyc watchin live and I stood up screaming and cryin like a baby with my 3 held up proudly.”

Kevin Harvick has paid tribute to Dale Earnhardt on other occasions as well.

Harvick remembered Dale Earnhardt in revamped speedway

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In 2023, the 0.625-mile North Wilkesboro Speedway was revived after 27 years for the NASCAR All-Star Race. Kevin Harvick took part in it with an emotional bang. He customized his Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang to make it look like the famed red and white No. 29 Chevrolet from the 2001 victory.

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The paint scheme and the number were intentionally changed to pay a fitting tribute to Dale Earnhardt. Harvick said, “It’s really a moment in NASCAR that means something to people that aren’t even fans of yours or Earnhardt fans and everything that goes with it.”

Harvick has led a trailblazing career in racing. He won the 2007 Daytona 500 and the 2014 Cup Series Championship, among other fantastic achievements. Now he is paving his way for a career in broadcasting and has already aced the job.