Although NASCAR is an extremely challenging motorsports competition, it still does not top the charts. There are a handful of other formats that demand more from the drivers.
For instance, Formula 1 requires drivers to maintain adequate fitness levels. While 24 Hours of Le Mans requires as much physical and mental endurance. Then come the Top Fuel dragsters of NHRA.
Although the NHRA does not get enough credit for the quality of racing it offers, it is one of the toughest formats in motorsports. The dragsters in the competition are infamous for crossing 300 mph, and most of them can hit that mark in less than 4 seconds.
After NASCAR legend Tony Stewart recently shined in the NHRA nationals, he extended his proposal to Kevin Harvick, who had an interesting response to the invitation.
Tony Stewart’s Invitation to Kevin Harvick
Alongside being former NASCAR contemporaries, Harvick and Stewart share a relationship off the track as well. Besides, Harvick drove for Stewart’s former team, Stewart-Haas Racing, and won the championship in 2014.
Although the duo shared some fiery moments while competing, their bond is largely based on mutual respect for each other. Even after retirement, the two have shared a close relationship.
Recently, after being inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame, Harvick spoke to Kenny Sargent of SpeedFreaks.
The former driver confessed that he had been around the sport long enough to see several aspects of it, and he would not trade his experience for anything else. However, he also revealed that after retiring, he has learnt to appreciate life outside of NASCAR more.
Sargent then mentioned Stewart’s invite to Dale Jr. for getting behind the wheels of a dragster and asked the former SHR driver, “Would Kevin Harvick ever hop in a 12,000 horsepower dragster?
To which, Harvick responded with his typical edgy humor, saying, “Only if he just absolutely held me hostage.”
He continued saying that he was currently in a comfortable place in life, and he didn’t like leaving his comfort zone unless necessary. He continued:
“I like to do the things that I like to do and go to places that I like to go. I don’t like to learn new things. So, probably not.”
Harvick further added that he was more than happy with his late model racing, which already fell a bit outside his comfort zone.
READ: Veteran Kevin Harvick Sounds Alarm on Frustrated NASCAR Champion’s Struggle To End Winless Streak
Speaking about Stewart, he mentioned that the SHR owner had a good coach who helped him improve quite a lot in the NHRA circuit.
Before Harvick, when Stewart offered Dale Jr. the opportunity, the NASCAR Hall of Famer was certainly lured by it. However, he was concerned about safety.
Although Junior has not publicly denied Stewart’s ‘open invitation’, considering his current interests, the JRM owner does not seem likely to step in a dragster anytime soon.