When Kevin Harvick hung up his racing gloves and suit for the last time, the NASCAR community hadn’t quite absorbed his incredible Hall of Fame-worthy career yet. With over eight hundred race starts, 60 wins and 251 top-5 appearances, the level Harvick managed to reach after starting from humble beginnings on Ron Hornaday’s couch is truly unfathomable. And what seal of approval could matter more to such a legend than that of Richard Petty?

Speaking of iconic NASCAR careers, none come close to matching Richard Petty. After all, he almost has as many Cup wins as Harvick does top five appearances! So when the driver of the legendary #43 was asked about Harvick’s final hurrah, he had nothing but praise. Reflecting on Harvick’s last race in the Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway, the King chimed in to share just how well Harvick did to finish his career on a high.

The King looks back on Kevin Harvick’s well-deserved send-off

Speaking on the Petty Race Recap, Richard Petty took fans back to Harvick’s final race this season. It was all lining up for Harvick, who was starting in third for Stewart-Haas Racing. A special feature of the No.4 car that day was that Harvick’s name replaced Busch Light’s sponsorship placement positions as a fitting tribute to his career. While Harvick had managed to battle his way to the lead on lap 93 after overtaking William Byron, his lead would slowly diminish as the sun went down over the Phoenix Raceway.

Although Harvick was out of contention for the win, he was able to maintain pace with the surrounding top ten cars to bring home the No.4 in seventh. Although the win had eluded his reach, his qualification to the playoffs had fulfilled Harvick’s desire to retire as a competent racer despite missing out on a win this season.

Richard Petty summed up the race perfectly and shared, “Yeah, you know, the first rounds and stuff, he was running second third and fourth, he ran really good. But over a period of time, the guys finally overcome him. He wound up what, eighth (seventh) or something? Which I think is a pretty good deal for his very last race.”

The race was made special not just because of the top ten finish, but also due to Harvick’s family involvement in bidding his racing career goodbye. His children, Keelan and Piper, had keyed the team radio before the green flag for the big race, and it was a specially wholesome moment for the man who’s given us years of cut-throat racing. The end of such a glorious career was so emotional it even made the otherwise stone-walled Harvick shed tears.

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It’s safe to say Kevin Harvick embodies the epitome of NASCAR glory, whether it’s making his way through the ranks the good old-fashioned way or ending his career on a high that many drivers dream of. While many fans felt Harvick still had a few years left in him after such a tantalizing display of competence, the man of the hour was elated that he had fulfilled his career’s end goal.

Harvick achieved his ultimate NASCAR dream at Phoenix Raceway

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Harvick made the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season after his shenanigans, and it left the biggest smile on the #4 Stewart-Haas Racing star’s face. After all, he had achieved the ultimate dream of every driver, which was to retire as competitively as one had entered the sport. While this goal has escaped the clutches of many talented drivers, Harvick would join the likes of Jeff Gordon on that fateful day in Arizona.

After the race, Harvick could not have been more satisfied with how things had ended for his Cup Series career. He was quoted by Racing America, “You know, I’d rather walk away competitive than walk around looking for a paycheck,” he further elaborated on how it had always been one of his biggest goals to walk out as competitive as possible. Harvick added, “That’s always been one of my goals was to walk out as competitive as possible. We did that. I wouldn’t change anything. For me, we balanced a lot this year.”

Harvick’s last year had not exactly been the stuff of dreams during the beginning. Out of the four SHR challengers, only Harvick made it to the playoffs. But despite the team’s obstacle-laden journey, they were able to come out on top. Harvick concluded, “To be able to balance all of that and still walk away at the last race and be competitive says a lot about the guys I have around me and the drive they have to do good.”

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Whether fans have recovered from Kevin Harvick’s retirement is still up for debate. But one thing’s for certain. Kevin Harvick’s career could not have ended in a better way!