Gregg Pachkowski / gregg@pnj.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASCAR Legend Nearly Had Deadly Accident At Darlington

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 8, 2025 7:15 PM ET

A fun pre-race joy ride nearly turned into a catastrophe for Kevin Harvick.

Before Sunday's Cup Series race at Darlington, Harvick and Clint Bowyer rode vintage Wood Brothers Racing vehicles to honor NASCAR's sport's throwback weekend. Harvick got behind the steering wheel of a 1971 Mercury that David Pearson drove to win at Darlington 33 years ago.

Harvick discussed the experience on his Happy Hour podcast. He abruptly shifted from the importance of highlighting NASCAR's history to say, "I thought I was gonna die."

"Apparently, the people on the front stretch that were taking down the stage and doing everything didn't realize that we were going to do two laps," Harvick said (h/t On3). "Well, when we got back around to the front stretch, they were not paying attention. We were approaching them at a high rate of speed, and I went to hit the brake pedal, and the brake pedal had no friction. It got way down, and it freaked me out."

At this point, Harvick feared the worst would happen.

"I was thinking to myself, my God. I'm gonna mow this guy over, and the truck in front of me that's leading us around this pace lap. And all those people on the front straightaway taking these cables up are in harm's way," Harvick recalled.

Luckily, Harvick didn't run anyone over at Darlington. The 49-year-old instead had a story to tell.

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: FOX Sports NASCAR Raceday broadcaster and former NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kevin Harvick on set after the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 was postponed due to weather at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

Despite the scary situation, Harvick enjoyed steering Pearson's Mercury.

"What an honor to go out and drive those cars," Harvick said. "You talk about the history and throwback weekend and having these cars at the racetrack for people to see the evolution of the racecar ... But that thing had power."

Rather than mourn a tragedy, Harvick watched Denny Hamlin register his second consecutive win at the Goodyear 400. The 2014 Cup Series champion later gave the victor flak for not honoring NASCAR's throwback theme with a celebratory back flip in tribute to Carl Edwards.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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