Kevin Harvick reflects on Mike Helton surprising him with NASCAR Hall of Fame nomination: ‘It was really weird’

Kevin Harvick was announced Sunday as one of the 10 nominees on the Modern Era Ballot for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027. Former NASCAR president Mike Helton delivered the news to Harvick on “NASCAR RaceDay” ahead of Sunday’s Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway.

Harvick had no clue. Helton surprised him, and he didn’t pick up on it until he noticed additional cameras around him.

“No, it was really weird because of all of a sudden, we were standing there and Helton was getting ready to come on,” Harvick said on the latest “Happy Hour” podcast. “Next thing you know, there’s six or seven more cameras, and I’m like, ‘Well, this is weird. We never have more than three cameras for pre-race.’ Next thing you know, we had media standing around and now it all makes sense, but it didn’t at the time.”

Harvick doesn’t like surprises. However, throughout his time at FOX Sports, he’s been a part of multiple surprises. They got him again Sunday, though this one was special.

“That was pretty cool. They got me. You know what I hate about working at FOX? They surprise me, I hate surprises, and all the time on this show, on the pre-race show, during the broadcast, it’s always something,” Harvick said. “But that was a pretty cool surprise having Mike Helton show up at the desk and be able to tell me that I was nominated to go into the Hall of Fame, was pretty neat.

“You work your whole life to get to that point. … I love it. It’s what I’ve based my whole life on. It’s the people that I like to be around. It’s what I like to do.”

Kevin Harvick likely to become first-ballot Hall of Famer

Harvick, 50, is on the ballot in his first year of eligibility. It’s very likely he gets voted in as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, as he’s one of the most accomplished drivers of all-time.

Harvick made his Truck Series debut in 1995 and in 2001, captured his first of two O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championships. That season, he became a full-time driver in Cup, driving the No. 29 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.

Harvick stayed with RCR through the 2013 season before joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014. In his first season piloting the No. 4 Chevrolet, he won his first and only Cup title. Harvick retired from full-time competition after the 2023 season. Upon retirement, he joined the FOX Sports broadcast booth alongside Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer.

“The Closer” is 11th on the all-time Cup wins list with 60 checkered flags in his possession. The 2007 Daytona 500 champion also compiled 47 NOAPS wins and 14 Truck victories.

Harvick will soon find out if he’s a Hall of Famer. The Hall of Fame voting panel will meet in person May 19 to cast their ballots. Fan voting will be open April 14-May 17 on NASCAR.com.