In the beginning, I was there for the shindig, the food, and the social aspect of the event, not the racing. As such, I had no allegiance to any driver, although the Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte fans in my life at the time tried like crazy to sway that.
Everything changed in February of 2001 when the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. aka “the Intimidator” passed away suddenly in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500. Naturally, the outpouring of thoughts and prayers from NASCAR Nation went mostly out to the Earnhardt family, as did mine. However, in the week following the crash, Earnhardt’s team (Richard Childress Racing) announced during a press conference that his iconic black Chevy would be painted white, the number 3 would change to 29, and a fresh-faced unknown driver from Bakersfield, California who was barely a year older than me at the time had been tapped to fill Earnhardt’s seat.
“No athlete in any sport should ever get their shot at the big leagues under these sorts of conditions. It’s just not fair.” That was my thought upon watching the RCR press conference live on ESPN.
Just over two decades have followed that day. Since then, the driver in question has gone on to win more races than Gordon along with the 2007 Daytona 500 crown and the 2014 Cup series title on route to what will undoubtedly go down in NASCAR history as a first-ballot hall of fame career.
That driver’s name was Kevin Harvick, and today he will announce his retirement from full-time NASCAR competition after the 2023 season.
It’s been a helluva ride, Harv. Thanks for the handshake at Dega and the 22 years of incredible sports memories.
PS – Seeing as how NASCAR is circling the drain these days, here’s hoping your descendants really do go on to own an interstellar mercenary company based out of Jacksonville, North Florida in the 23rd century. 😉 #SwampEagle