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Kevin Harvick has reacted to Tyler Reddick's unexpected attire at the Iowa Speedway while praising his former sponsor. The 23XI Racing driver wore a McDonald-themed firesuit, depicting the fast food chain's decades-old mascot, the Hamburglar.
The Iowa Speedway hosted its first-ever Cup Series race since entering the NASCAR scene with Truck Series racing in 2009. Team Penske's Ryan Blaney swept the 0.875-mile track for his maiden win this season and has crept closer to entering the playoffs. Moreover, with his triumph, the #12 Ford driver created three records under his name, garnering immense attention.
Tyler Reddick also caught plenty of limelight at Iowa, not because of his performance, but for his unique firesuit. McDonald's primarily sponsored Reddick's high-octane ride and the #45 Toyota was wrapped underneath the infamous Hamburglar's camo. McDonald's mascot Hamburglar's objective was to steal all the hamburgers and bring them to McDonaldland to savor the treat alone.
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The PR stunt, however, went a step further as the Californian donned the Hamburglar firesuit, resembling the infamous burger thief mascot. Seeing Tyler Reddick going to such lengths to keep up with the sponsor's demands, retired NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick couldn't hold back and gave his take.
The 2014 Cup Series champion thanked his motorsports career for giving him a longtime beer sponsor- Anheuser-Busch while highlighting the 2024 Talladega winner's PR stunt.
"I’m glad I had a beer sponsor…@BuschBeer," Harvick wrote via X.
Kevin Harvick and his 'beer sponsor' had a strong relationship that lasted for over a decade
Harvick was slated to run his debut Cup Series dash in 2002 for Richard Childress Racing. However, due to the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. at the 2001 Daytona 500, the plans changed and the former competed earlier than expected, with his first race being the 2001 Dura Lube 400 at the Rockingham Speedway.
Over the years, the then-RCR driver found a strong and consistent footing in NASCAR. He bagged the 2001 and 2006 Xfinity Series championships and went on to actively carve a niche in the Cup Series as well.
As a result, in 2011, Anheuser-Busch locked a deal with the North Carolina-based outfit to sponsor Kevin Harvick's ride. When the two-time Xfinity Series champ marked his shift to Stewart-Haas Racing's stable in 2014, the company's Budweiser brand also switched sides and primarily sponsored the #4 driver for 21 races.
Harvick became the Cup Series champion during his first year in SHR, with Rodney Childers as the crew chief, and Budweiser as the sponsor. Two years later in 2016, Anheuser-Busch announced Busch and Busch Light would replace Budweiser's role in sponsoring the #4 Chevrolet.
Fast forward to 2023, Kevin Harvick announced his final season in NASCAR. Thus, with the departure of a big name from SHR's garage, the financially wealthy sponsor didn't extend their deal and joined hands with Trackhouse Racing's Ross Chastain instead from the 2024 season onwards.
