Kevin Harvick, former NASCAR Cup Series champion and now-host of “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour” podcast, found his way into the news cycle today with a little tease about his future.
The now-50-year-old Harvick has been retired from professional racing since the end of the 2023 season. Since then, he has been featured as a Fox Sports NASCAR commentator and host of his own Fox Sports-branded podcast. As it often seems to go with racing retirees, fans could potentially see him back in the driver’s seat sooner than later.
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In Harvick’s latest podcast episode, a conversation about the new playoff format and NASCAR charters led to some intriguing comments from the former Cup Series star.
“I might just make a comeback, why not?” Harvick told his co-hosts. “Tony Stewart is going to drive the truck race at Daytona. … I’m starting to get the bug again. … The Cup is too much work. What could I do to just get in and drive?”
He added, “It seems like we’re going back to ‘what’s old is new’ again, so why not?”
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For now, we must take this conversation with a grain of salt. But one thing is for certain: he has our (and maybe his) wheels turning.
Potential Team Fits for a Kevin Harvick Comeback
Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick during the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
If Harvick did return, it’s very unlikely to be full-time, and it would most likely be in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series or the Craftsman Truck Series. There is no telling what team could take him up on a comeback, but there could be a few fits, on paper.
In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Harvick could team up with JR Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, or Joe Gibbs Racing. He is no longer racing, thus no longer required to field a Ford. These three teams are running part-time schedules, so Harvick could slot in if it truly became a reality.
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Given Harvick’s history with Richard Childress Racing, that would seem like the most logical option.
In the Craftsman Truck Series, Harvick could make sense with Niece Motorsports. They actually have the No. 4, Harvick’s long-time Cup Series number, listed as a part-time, unoccupied car in the series. McAnally-Hilgemann Racing could also be an option.
NASCAR Retirees Who Have Recently Returned to Racing
Plenty of drivers have made comebacks in recent seasons. Jimmie Johnson, 50, has been doing so quite often in his Legacy Motor Club No. 84 car. In fact, Johnson will be attempting to race at Daytona in the Craftsman Truck Series.
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Also at Daytona, 54-year-old Tony Stewart will head the RAM debut in his No. 25 car. Last year, Carl Edwards was also heavily rumored to see a track, potentially as a fill-in for Kyle Larson given Indy 500 overlaps.
Aric Almirola ran last season heavily in the now-O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and even he has teased a comeback to racing full-time. We then have Casey Mears taking a stab at Daytona, and even Kasey Kahne raced some last season.
So, if nothing else, the precedent is there for Harvick.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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