- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Martinsville Today
By the People, for the People
NASCAR Legend Kevin Harvick Nominated for Hall of Fame
Emotional Harvick reflects on 23-year career after surprise announcement from former NASCAR president
Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:11am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A cubist interpretation of NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick's storied career, deconstructed into a dynamic, geometric celebration of his racing accomplishments.Martinsville TodayNASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick was surprised on live TV by former NASCAR president Mike Helton, who informed Harvick that he is one of 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027 in his first year of eligibility. Harvick, who retired from full-time competition in 2023, became visibly emotional as he reflected on his illustrious 23-year career in the sport.
Why it matters
Harvick's nomination to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility underscores his status as one of the most accomplished and decorated drivers in the history of the sport. His induction would cement his legacy as a true legend of NASCAR racing.
The details
Helton surprised Harvick with the news during a pre-race broadcast of FOX Sports' 'NASCAR RaceDay' ahead of the Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Harvick, who is now a broadcaster for FOX Sports, said the moment was especially meaningful given Helton's role as a 'father figure' during Harvick's driving career, when he 'pushed every button' as a driver. Harvick, who won the 2007 Daytona 500 and the 2014 Cup Series championship, is 11th on the all-time Cup wins list with 60 victories. He also has 47 wins in the Xfinity Series and 14 in the Truck Series.
- Harvick received the Hall of Fame nomination on March 31, 2026, during a pre-race broadcast at Martinsville Speedway.
- The NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel will meet in person on May 19, 2026 to cast their ballots.
- Fan voting will be open from April 14 to May 17, 2026 on NASCAR.com.
The players
Kevin Harvick
A 50-year-old former NASCAR driver who is one of the most decorated and accomplished drivers in the history of the sport, with 60 Cup Series wins, 47 Xfinity Series wins, and 14 Truck Series wins. He won the Cup Series championship in 2014 and the Daytona 500 in 2007. Harvick is now a broadcaster for FOX Sports.
Mike Helton
The former president of NASCAR, who served in that role from 2000 to 2015. Helton was considered a 'father figure' to many drivers during his tenure, including Harvick, who said Helton was someone he 'pushed every button' with as a driver.
What they’re saying
“Mike was the president of NASCAR at the time that I came through, and I pushed every button that you could possibly push from the driver standpoint. I was in trouble a lot, but Mike was the father figure for many of us that were pushing those buttons all the time.”
— Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Driver
“I would say that one probably brought a tear to my eye. You put so much effort into everything you do with your craft. You wanna be the best at it, and to be able to have the success — that was my job for 23 years and now, I sit here on this side of the camera being able to talk about the sport that I love. You put your whole life into something, and to be able to reap the rewards of all the effort you put into it is pretty special.”
— Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Driver
What’s next
The NASCAR Hall of Fame voting panel will meet in person on May 19, 2026 to cast their ballots for the Class of 2027. Fan voting will be open from April 14 to May 17, 2026 on NASCAR.com.
The takeaway
Kevin Harvick's nomination to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility is a testament to his remarkable career as one of the most successful and influential drivers in the sport's history. His emotional reaction to the surprise announcement underscores the deep personal significance of this honor and the immense pride he feels in his lifelong dedication to NASCAR.
