Kevin Harvick will trade his firesuit and helmet in for a session in the makeup room and a microphone for the 2024 season. On Sunday, before the Busch Light Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum, Harvick announced on the FOX broadcast that he will be joining FOX Sports next season.
“I’m here to tell you that I’m going to be on the ride with you for a while,” Harvick said to Chris Myers. “I’m going to be sitting up in the booth with Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer, and I’m looking forward to that.”
Harvick, who announced that he would retire from full-time competition in the NASCAR Cup Series at the end of the 2023 season back on January 12th, says this is one of those too-good-to-be-true opportunities.
“We’re coming right to the booth and I couldn’t be any happier. For me, the timing in life has just been absolutely perfect with everything on the driving side and now to have this opportunity to tell people about racing. There isn’t anything I love more and I can’t wait,” Harvick stated with a smile.
Following the on-screen announcement from Harvick, a special video was queued up on the broadcast with his wife Delana Harvick and daughter Piper, who gave some touching words to the legendary racer.
“Hey daddy, we’re really proud of you and want you to wear a suit and tie. Mom can help with that,” Piper Harvick said. “The headset is really big, and they say you need to tell a lot of dad jokes, which you’re already an expert at. I love you dad, you’re going to be great!”
Delana, who has stood by Harvick throughout his entire career, had some words of encouragement as well.
“Kevin, we’re really proud of you and we’re so happy for you to make that transition to the booth next year,” Delana Harvick said. “Now, we don’t have to worry about what happens on the racetrack, but we need to worry about what’s going to come out of daddy’s mouth.”
The video brought the usually steely Harvick to show a little emotion, although he was able to hold off tears.