Kevin Harvick recalls pep talk from Michael Jordan after 2023 playoff elimination

Kevin Harvick’s bid to win a Cup Series championship in his final full-time season came to an end this past September at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Harvick finished P29, eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Cup Series playoffs. It was the kind of day that left Harvick walking out of the tunnel with his head down, until one legendary sports figure caught up with him. It was Michael Jordan, the NBA legend and 23XI Racing co-owner.

Jordan put his hand on Harvick’s neck and reminded him that he had nothing to be worried about, something that Harvick still appreciates all these months later.

“Michael has to be one of the most pretty normal human beings ever,” Harvick said on his Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour this week. “Last year we were at Bristol, and we had just had an absolutely miserable day. And I’m walking out with my head down. Walking down the tunnel. And then all of a sudden, this big hand just reaches up behind me and grabs my neck. And he said, ‘Boy, you don’t have anything to be worried about.’ And I look back and I’m like, ‘Holy s—, that’s Michael Jordan.’ He grabs my neck, and he says, ‘You’ve had one hell of a career, son. You need to pick your head up.’

“He walked me all the way out that tunnel, all the way to the top of the tunnel and just gave me the biggest pep talk all the way out. By the time I got to the top of the tunnel I’m like, things are pretty good.”

Kevin Harvick finishes up Hall of Fame career

Jordan was right. Harvick had nothing to worry about. After all, Harvick was wrapping up a Hall of Fame career, one that any driver would sign up for.

Harvick finished his career 10th on the all-time wins list, with 60 Cup Series victories to his name. He won his first and only Cup Series championship in 2014 — his first season with Stewart-Haas Racing. With his racing career behind him, Harvick transitioned to the announce booth, joining FOX Sports for the 2024 season.