NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — Kevin Harvick is ready to get back behind the wheel. The 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion may be retired from the upper echelons of motorsports, but he’ll be getting back to grassroots this Saturday at North Wilkesboro Speedway, piloting the No. 62 Late Model Stock Car in the zMAX CARS Tour Window World 125.
Harvick began his racing career in late models before moving to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and eventually to the Cup Series, where he tallied 60 wins over his 23-year career.
Along with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton and Justin Marks, Harvick is a co-owner of the zMAX CARS Tour, but has not raced regularly in the series.
“From the driver’s standpoint, for me, it’s really about getting used to these cars,” said Harvick following an open test session earlier this month at the historic .625-mile track. “I raced the car one time here, and that was the only time I’ve ever raced the car in the late model stock division. So I think just getting used to the grip level and the yaw and everything that goes with a late model stock is really the biggest thing.
“And just being involved in the team as we develop our team and what we need to do, what we need to work on and things like that.”
The veteran driver also believes that the on-track action the zMAX CARS Tour produces is one of the best in the country.
“Just go back and go to Flo [Racing] and watch some of the old races and you’ll see why you need to show up,” he said. “And that’s the great thing about what we do is there really is no marketing platform necessary when you have racing like we do.
“We’re very fortunate to have the, you know, the platform of Dale [Earnhardt Jr.] and myself and Justin [Marks] and Jeff [Burton] and all the chatter of the industry and NASCAR regional and everybody who supports the CARS Tour, but the racing speaks for itself.”
Harvick also owns a team that competes regularly in the series, but he intends to focus on enjoying the event, while also trying to put on a competitive show.
“That’s really what it’s about for me is having fun and being able to race and not have to worry about what the result is,” Harvick said. “Obviously we want to do good, the best that we can, but whether I finish first or last when I leave here, as long as I’m a part of the event and enjoying it and having a good time and being a part of our competitors on weekends helps me learn about the series.
“So I want to have fun with it and be involved in the event and rub elbows with the guys that put on the shows every week.”