Kevin Harvick, former NASCAR champion and now a commentator, shared candid insights about his relationships with fellow NASCAR Cup Series champions Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch during his podcast, Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour. Harvick described a strong brotherly connection with Stewart, stemming from years of racing and collaboration through Stewart-Haas Racing, while contrasting it with a fiercely competitive rivalry with Busch.
Harvick explained that his friendship with Stewart grew over time from being on-track rivals to teammates and close allies. In contrast, his dynamic with Busch was fueled by intense competition across multiple series — including Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup — marked by aggressive moments and a persistent drive to outperform one another.
Reflecting on the rivalry, Harvick emphasized that the relentless competition between him and Busch ultimately enhanced both of their performances as drivers.
Harvick’s Reflections on His Competitive Rivalry and Friendship
On the podcast, Harvick expressed the depth of these relationships, sharing,
“One of my favorite times I mean, I love Tony Stewart like a brother. We became great friends through the years and competed hard against each other. Kyle and I are social friends here and there, not quite like Tony, but I appreciated the competition that was always presented with Kyle Busch because it was in Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup, and it didn’t matter what you were racing.”
He further added about the rivalry:
“He wanted to rip my head off, and I wanted to rip his head off. And I wanted to beat him bad, and he wanted to beat me bad, and it went through those years of just that head-to-head competition that just made us better racers.”
Joe Gibbs Weighs in on Handling Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch
In a recent episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Harvick interviewed NASCAR legend and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) owner Joe Gibbs. During their conversation, Harvick asked Gibbs who was more difficult to manage between Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch. Gibbs acknowledged the talent and intensity both drivers brought to the team.
Gibbs said,
“Kyle Busch and Tony, they were both very super talented, and both of them a little bit alike. But really, both of them, I really appreciated their talent and the way they went after it for us. Obviously that was great for us, and you know, every now and then there were some challenges. But really they helped build our race team; they really did, and I appreciated both of them so much because, you know, they won a ton.”
Legacy of Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch at JGR
Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch represented two of the most formidable talents in NASCAR throughout the 2000s, each achieving two Cup championships and bringing numerous victories to Joe Gibbs Racing. Their fierce competitiveness and skill contributed significantly to the organization’s success and helped elevate the team’s reputation in the sport.
Harvick’s reflections provide a rare glimpse into the dual nature of NASCAR relationships—where camaraderie and rivalry coexist, driving drivers to push their limits. His stories highlight the intense passion and determination that characterize the sport, underscoring how these competitive dynamics lead to growth and success for everyone involved.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Kyle Busch go in 2026?
A. Pressing escape will shut the window. In CONCORD, N.C., Kyle Busch confirmed he will race the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. This announcement was made on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Q. Will Kyle Busch retire?
A. Kyle Busch has renewed his contract with Richard Childress Racing until 2026. He stated that he is not thinking about retiring. Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner, also mentioned his interest in racing alongside his son, Brexton, in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series, which is still six years in the future.
Q. Where is Kyle Busch going in 2026?
A. Kyle Busch will keep driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, as he and the team announced on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
Q. Why did Kyle Busch restart 4th?
A. Moran explained that the order was determined using data from scoring loops. He stated, “That was the last loop where leaders were scored.”
The key issue was deciding if he was part of the crash. They concluded he wasn’t involved, as he managed to avoid it.
