“That’s rare for me”: Kevin Harvick reacts after being 'out-experienced' at Five Flags Speedway

Kevin Harvick recently reflected on his practice run at the Southern Super Series race at Five Flags Speedway, calling it a "new challenge". Harvick acknowledged feeling a bit outmatched in terms of experience compared to usual but found the drive exciting.

The 48-year-old retired from full-time racing after the 2023 Cup Series season but declared a return to competition in February 2024, seeking to participate in Super Late Model and Late Model Stock events throughout the year with several entries.

And then in June 2024, Kevin Harvick himself announced that he would re-enter the racing scene, taking the wheel of the #62 Chevy at Five Flags Speedway with Chase Elliott on June 28, 2024, and then at North Wilkesboro Speedway on August 3, 2024.

After practicing in the Late Model car, Kevin Harvick said:

"It's a lot to take in. That's for sure, but I think coming down here, we knew that we were going to be out-experienced. That's rare for me. Usually, it's the other side. I'm leaning on the heavy experience side, but very technical, fun racetrack."

About the practice, Kevin Harvick noted that one of the toughest adjustments for him was to master how to skim close to the wall while maintaining a line along the yellow markers.

When comparing the steering mechanisms of Cup cars and late-model cars, Harvick pointed out differences in responsiveness. He said that while it's quick in the Next Gen cars [Cup cars] as well, they are not as responsive as the Late Model ones.

Kevin Harvick elaborated:

"Having a car that is this throttle responsive is not something that many cup cars go, but it's not like this, right? So, the acceleration, and the throttle, and the quickness of the steering, and the horsepower, and everything that comes with the Super late models is exactly why I'm here. I want to I want to race the car because it's fun to drive. It's challenging. It's fast. It'll blow the back tires off a bit when you put the throttle down." [at 1:05]

Is Kevin Harvick convinced to drive full-time in the Late Model Stock car racing?

Despite enjoying his time on the track, Kevin Harvick dismissed the idea of racing full-time, at least for this year. When the reporter questioned whether a successful race might tempt him to compete more frequently, Harvick responded:

"I don't think so, not this year. Ryan's going to come down here and run, and William's going to come down here and run. Those guys are going to run. I think for me, I'd want to come down here and run as many of the Blizzard races as I can. Go to News Submerno and run 10 races next year, and then come to the Derby, if I'm going to do that. I think this was just a good time." [at 2:49]

In addition to Chase Elliott and Harvick, the Super Late Model racing event will also include notable drivers like Stephen Nasse, who is leading the Blizzard Series points standings, and Casey Roderick, leader of the ASA Superseries. Competitors like Bubba Pollard, Cole Butcher, Jacob Gomes, Jeremy Doss, and Matt Craig will also take part in the action-packed event.