Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick captured the 2014 Cup Series championship and established himself as one of NASCAR's most dominant competitors across three decades. From Bakersfield, CA, Harvick tallied 60 wins, 31 poles, 251 top-five finishes, and 444 top-ten finishes across 826 career starts. The Closer earned his nickname for an uncanny ability to be at the front when it mattered most, from his emotional 2001 Atlanta victory in Dale Earnhardt's old ride to his championship-clinching run with Stewart-Haas Racing.
About Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick won the 2014 Cup Series championship with a dominance that had been building across 60 career wins and 826 starts, a career so long and so consistently excellent that his place among the greatest drivers of the modern era is beyond debate. The Bakersfield, California native arrived in the Cup Series under the most difficult circumstances imaginable -- replacing Dale Earnhardt after the legend's death at Daytona in 2001. Harvick won in just his third career Cup start at Atlanta, a victory so emotionally charged that it seemed scripted by Hollywood. He carried the weight of the No. 29 with dignity and then went on to build his own legacy at Richard Childress Racing and later Stewart-Haas Racing, where the 2014 championship capped a season of five victories and relentless front-running performance. His 31 poles and 251 top fives reflect a consistency that spanned decades, and his versatility was demonstrated by victories in all three national series. Harvick's driving style combined precision with aggression, a controlled intensity that made him one of the most respected competitors in the garage. His battles with Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, and the next generation of Cup drivers produced some of the finest racing of the 2010s. Harvick retired after the 2023 season with a resume that places him comfortably among the 10 greatest Cup Series drivers of all time.
Written by Richard R. Glover, NASCAR Reference
Career Highlights
- Cup Series Champion (2014)
- 60 career Cup wins
- 31 career pole positions
- 826+ career starts
- 251 career top-5 finishes
Prime years: 2018-2020 (avg score: 90/100)
23 Cup Series seasons analyzed
2023 Season
Best Tracks
Kevin Harvick's best track is Texas Motor Speedway with 9 wins and a 9.8 average finish in 62 races.
| Track | Races | Avg Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Motor Speedway | 62 | 9.8 |
| Bristol Motor Speedway | 77 | 11.1 |
| EchoPark Speedway | 53 | 13.2 |
| Phoenix International Raceway | 33 | 10.1 |
| Michigan International Speedway | 59 | 11 |
Recent Results
Kevin Harvick's most recent 20 race results across multiple series.
| Date | Series | Race | Start | Finish | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5 | Cup | NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race | 7 | 7 | — |
| Oct 29 | Cup | Xfinity 500 | 26 | 16 | +10 |
| Oct 22 | Cup | 4EVER 400 | 10 | 11 | -1 |
| Oct 15 | Cup | South Point 400 | 29 | 16 | +13 |
| Oct 8 | Cup | Bank of America Roval 400 | 6 | 19 | -13 |
| Oct 1 | Cup | YellaWood 500 | 15 | 38 | -23 |
| Sep 24 | Cup | Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 | 3 | 6 | -3 |
| Sep 10 | Cup | Hollywood Casino 400 | 22 | 11 | +11 |
| Sep 3 | Cup | Cook Out Southern 500 | 24 | 19 | +5 |
| Aug 26 | Cup | Coke Zero Sugar 400 | 22 | 9 | +13 |
| Aug 6 | Cup | FireKeepers Casino 400 | 14 | 8 | +6 |
| Jul 30 | Cup | Cook Out 400 | 21 | 10 | +11 |
| Jul 23 | Cup | HighPoint.com 400 | 20 | 4 | +16 |
| Jul 17 | Cup | Crayon 301 | 7 | 4 | +3 |
| Jun 25 | Cup | Ally 400 | — | 21 | — |
| Jun 11 | Cup | Toyota/Save Mart 350 | 22 | 11 | +11 |
| Jun 4 | Cup | Enjoy Illinois 300 | 8 | 10 | -2 |
| May 29 | Cup | Coca-Cola 600 | 4 | 11 | -7 |
| May 14 | Cup | Goodyear 400 | 13 | 2 | +11 |
| May 7 | Cup | AdventHealth 400 | 10 | 11 | -1 |
Year-by-Year Results
Kevin Harvick has competed in 8 combined seasons, with a career average finish of N/A.
| Season | Series | Races | Wins | Avg Start | Avg Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Cup | 31 | 0 | 14.10 | 12.74 |
| 2022 | Cup | 30 | 2 | 17.20 | 10.90 |
| 2021 | Cup | 31 | 0 | 9.16 | 8.00 |
| 2021 | Trucks | 1 | 0 | 30.00 | 15.00 |
| 2020 | Cup | 35 | 9 | 7.80 | 6.80 |
| 2019 | Cup | 32 | 4 | 9.28 | 7.91 |
| 2018 | Cup | 33 | 8 | 7.76 | 6.42 |
| 2017 | Cup | 35 | 2 | 8.74 | 9.94 |
Season Performance Stats
NASCAR loop data -- avg running position, pass differential, driver rating, and more (2007-2022 Cup Series).
| Year | Rating | Avg Start | Avg Finish | Avg Run Pos | Pass Diff | Fast Laps | Laps Led % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 80.20 | 18.00 | 14.90 | 15.00 | +7 | 189 | 1.60% |
| 2021 | 92.50 | 9.70 | 10.90 | 11.30 | +44 | 309 | 2.40% |
| 2020 | 107.40 | 7.70 | 7.40 | 9.40 | +11 | 862 | 15.40% |
| 2019 | 105.20 | 8.50 | 10.10 | 9.10 | +67 | 822 | 9.70% |
| 2018 | 115.50 | 8.80 | 8.80 | 8.10 | +218 | 1295 | 20.50% |
| 2017 | 103.10 | 8.80 | 11.10 | 9.70 | +74 | 643 | 8.40% |
| 2016 | 106.50 | 11.70 | 9.90 | 9.50 | +356 | 985 | 13.50% |
| 2015 | 118.90 | 8.40 | 8.70 | 7.20 | +426 | 1380 | 22.50% |
| 2014 | 110.50 | 9.10 | 12.90 | 9.50 | +136 | 1233 | 21.30% |
| 2013 | 94.90 | 15.30 | 11.20 | 12.60 | +305 | 406 | 2.60% |
| 2012 | 91.00 | 14.60 | 12.10 | 12.90 | +175 | 269 | 2.50% |
| 2011 | 92.20 | 18.40 | 11.10 | 12.80 | +195 | 307 | 4.00% |
| 2010 | 98.00 | 21.00 | 8.70 | 12.40 | +500 | 368 | 3.40% |
| 2009 | 75.70 | 20.90 | 19.90 | 18.80 | +193 | 173 | 1.60% |
| 2008 | 91.00 | 17.60 | 12.40 | 13.80 | +350 | 260 | 1.80% |
| 2007 | 86.40 | 18.40 | 15.50 | 15.50 | +203 | 224 | 2.60% |
Related Drivers
| Name | Relation |
|---|---|
| Anthony Alfredo | Same Series |
| Justin Allgaier | Same Series |
| A.J. Allmendinger | Same Series |
| Tyler Ankrum | Same Series |
| Christopher Bell | Same Series |
| Josh Berry | Same Series |
| Josh Bilicki | Same Series |
| Ryan Blaney | Same Series |
| Alex Bowman | Same Series |
| Spencer Boyd | Same Series |
| Chase Briscoe | Same Series |
| Chris Buescher | Same Series |
