Kevin Harvick overcame a “deathly” illness to compete in the CARS Tour Super Late Model race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As he reflected on the experience during his podcast, Harvick admitted to the severe illness he and his team endured leading up to the race weekend. Despite battling intense nausea and discomfort, Harvick secured a remarkable fourth-place finish.
The CARS Tour West event was Harvick’s debut in this series, held at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Harvick, who retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing, is enjoying his time in Late Model racing, a passion he shares with his son, Keelan.
On the morning of the race, Harvick was struck by a debilitating sickness that had affected his entire team, coming from his son earlier that week.
“We went to Vegas Wednesday morning and I was excited about my Late Model race for the weekend. So, I got to run my first CARS Tour West event. And Friday morning I got deathly sick… It was probably the most miserable I’ve ever been in a race car in my whole career,” Harvick admitted. “I don’t know what we got, but it wiped everybody out.”
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Nevertheless, Harvick tackled the event head-on, struggling with symptoms. He admitted to experiencing severe nausea during the final laps.
“Keelan had it in the middle of the week and by the time we got to the race track everybody on the team had it, I had it. And unfortunately, the whole event is built around me and what we’re doing. You can’t just say, ‘Hey, I’m sick today.’ So the last 40 laps I’m like burping up puke, trying to just survive. I got spun out in the middle of the race.”
Despite this, Harvick’s performance was exemplified by his refusal to abandon the race or even take the controversial step some drivers might consider.
“No, I couldn’t let it go. Man, I just couldn’t do it. I probably would have felt better if I would have just done it,” he said with conviction, choosing to endure his discomfort rather than relieve himself in his racing suit.
Following the race, Harvick took measures to recuperate from the horrific experience.
“And [Tony Stewart] came…he comes up to the lounge… I just laid there, my stomach hurt terribly bad and I’m curled up in a ball and he comes up after the race, ‘You alright, bud?’ I kinda got myself in the fetal position on the couch and then I got up and I walked to the car and I laid in the backseat and drove home and then we flew home the next day. But we had a good time, it was great.”
Despite the health challenges he faced, Harvick’s fourth-place finish was incredible.
Harvick and his son plan to continue their campaign in Late Model racing in 2025, with an ongoing dedication to the sport that has defined much of Harvick’s career.