Kevin Harvick Calls For NASCAR Legend To Retire in Bombshell Statement
February 1, 2025
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NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick has shared his thoughts about Jimmie Johnson’s ongoing role in NASCAR, suggesting that the seven-time Cup Series champion should retire from driving to focus on his duties as a team owner.
On Harvick’s podcast, “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour,” he explained that it might be in Johnson’s best interest to step away from racing for the sake of his team, Legacy Motor Club.
His comments come at a time when Johnson is balancing the roles of part-time driver and majority owner.
More News: Jimmie Johnson Reaches Legacy Motor Club Milestone With Ownership Update
Kevin Harvick Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. pose for a photograph during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway… Kevin Harvick Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. pose for a photograph during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on June 30, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Johnson is planning to participate in select events like the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in 2025. He might also hit the milestone of his 700th Cup Series start at the latter race.
Jimmie Johnson’s place in NASCAR’s history is unquestionable. With a record that ties him with racing legends Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, he retired from full-time racing with Hendrick Motorsports in 2020 after an illustrious 19-year career.
Though he stepped away from full-time racing, his passion for NASCAR drew him back in 2023 with Legacy Motor Club, where he assumed the role of both a driver and a team owner. Formerly known as Petty GMS Motorsports, the team underwent rebranding once Johnson came on board, and he recently became the majority owner.
More News: NASCAR Cup Series Driver To Join Niece Motorsports’ 4th Truck Entry In 2025
Johnson’s performance since his return has been modest, with his best finish being 26th at Phoenix out of 12 starts. This aspect is what Kevin Harvick seems to be focused on when discussing the delicate relationship between performance and sponsorship.
As a retired driver and now a commentator with FOX Sports, Harvick explained:
“I think that the sooner [Jimmie Johnson] can get out of being in that car, the better off he is.
“I understand when we had the Xfinity teams of having to drive the car to lure the sponsor. But you know, as far as the marketing side of things, at some point, it becomes about performance. I think Danica Patrick was probably the best example of that.
“At some point, your marketing platform runs out, and I think that performance trumps everything that you can do after consecutive years of not performing like you need to, and I think that’s what they’re striving for, right?
“They have to get the performance where they need to, or sponsorship becomes less and less and harder to sell, and then it becomes harder to sell employees and harder to sell drivers, and everything that you need to run well is all about the people, and if you don’t have the money to pay the people, then it becomes harder and harder to get the performance where it needs to be.”
For the latest NASCAR news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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