Published 01/14/2023, 3:35 PM EST
Recently, news broke that Stewart-Haas Racing veteran Kevin Harvick is retiring at the end of the season. The winner of the 2014 Cup Series will be entering his 23rd season in NASCAR’s top flight. However, it will be his final season in the sport. Unlike many drivers who have explored other racing avenues or are racing part-time, Harvick is retiring for good. A noteworthy outcome of his retirement is that the spotlight will shift to drivers like Kyle Busch.
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Harvick’s impending departure will have a massive effect on NASCAR statistics. As it turns out, Harvick is the last driver to have raced under a full-season points format in his first full-time season. This points format was introduced in 1975 and lasted till 2010, even after the introduction of the new playoff format in 2004. The ex-Richard Childress Racing driver will be replaced by Kyle Busch in 2024 as the most experienced driver in the Cup Series.
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What does Harvick’s decision mean for Kyle Busch?
Some fans might have wondered what exactly Harvick’s retirement has to do with Kyle Busch. With the 2014 champion quitting after the 2023 season, Busch will be the longest-tenured full-time driver on the Cup Series grid. He is more experienced than even Denny Hamlin, although both icons debuted in the Cup Series in 2005. However, Hamlin arrived late to the party, competing in only the final seven races.
Jul 3, 2022; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) during the KWIK TRIP 250 at Road America. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
For the moment, Harvick will be savoring his final season in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond a reasonable doubt, he will be aiming to bow out on a high note. His path might not be smooth as many of his rivals will also have designs on the NASCAR Cup Series trophy. One thing is for sure though, the #4 driver will want to add to his tally of 60 Cup wins and make up for his dismal 2022 Cup campaign.
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