Darlington’s “Throwback Weekend” has been a NASCAR fan favorite since 2015. It’s a chance to mix old-school vibes with modern speed. Drivers suit up in retro schemes, teams bring back classic looks, and for one weekend, it’s all about honoring the sport’s roots at one of its most legendary tracks. Some drivers circle it on their calendars like it’s Christmas morning. While others couldn’t care less. And that’s exactly what caught Kevin Harvick’s attention. The future Hall of Famer, never shy with his takes, thinks NASCAR can do better. And he’s got a suggestion that might just shake things up.
Since 2015, NASCAR’s Throwback Weekend at Darlington has been a heartfelt nod to the legends who paved the way. Every year, the Cup Series rolls out 400 miles of old-school flair, featuring classic paint schemes and vintage crew shirts. It’s a tribute that stretches from Earnhardt to Yarborough. It’s always been about honoring the past while racing into the future. But lately, something’s changed. It’s the hype, it’s fading. The magic is not hitting like it used to. But is this enough to bring down this decade-old tradition? No chance. And that’s exactly what caught Kevin Harvick’s eye.
On a recent episode of his podcast Happy Hour, Kevin Harvick brought up something that’s been on a lot of old-school fans’ minds. “I think that we have done a great job as a sport for the last few years, of recognizing our past,” Harvick said. To him, Throwback Weekend isn’t just a cool gimmick, it’s a time capsule. A living tribute to the legends who made this sport what it is today. It’s a high-speed history lesson on four wheels. And Kevin’s not shy about defending that tradition. “If everybody participates, it would be better,” he said, before suggesting NASCAR make it “preferred”, like an unspoken code to show up and pay respect. I believe he’s got a point.
Because the thing is, every number, every stripe of paint, every decal tells a story. And some of those stories are just waiting to be told. That’s the magic of this weekend. “Everybody’s got a story,” Harvick reminded us. “And the more stories we can put out there, the more we remind people of the past.” And honestly, he is spot on. In a sport that moves fast, sometimes too fast, maybe it’s time we slow down, just a bit, and remember who built the road we’re racing on. As Harvick put it, “It makes them appreciate the things they have a little bit more.” And honestly? That appreciation might just be the fuel NASCAR needs to keep its soul alive.
Although Harvick didn’t call out Chase Elliott or William Byron directly, this emotional response was presumably aimed at them. Elliott had a rather unique take on the Darlington tradition, stating, “Not to be a downer, but I joked years ago if we kept going down the road, we’re going to be throwing it back to me in 2018. We’ve rode the horse to death, and we tend to do that a little bit too much.”
DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 16: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light #BUSCHRACETEAM Stewart-Haas Racing Ford Mustang, during qualifying for the Daytona 500 on February 16, 2022 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, his teammate, Byron, who was rocking a sick-looking scheme paying tribute to Jeff Gordon added, “It’s definitely run its course. I feel like we’ve had so many of them. Between 40 cars, you cover most of the paint schemes at some point, so I think maybe it’s something where you bring it back every few years or maybe you go to different racetracks or something.”
Well, given that NASCAR is trying to bridge the gap between the old-school tradition and attracting a younger audience, this statement by current stars didn’t fare well. And Kevin Harvick was quick to shut down this notion. After all, how many of us knew that Wood Brothers Racing played a major role in helping Jim Clark win the 1965 Indy 500? Stories like these make the Darlington throwback weekend special, and hopefully this tradition stays intact for coming years.
Having dealt with the off-track controversy, Harvick turned his attention towards the next race weekend. And like his Martinsville prediction, he is backing Denny Hamlin to join Christopher Bell in scoring a three-peat at Bristol.
Kevin Harvick puts his chips on a battle-tested vet to conquer Bristol’s chaos in 2025
On the latest episode of Kevin Harvick‘s Happy Hour, the former Cup Series champ turned commentator dropped his prediction for Sunday’s Food City 500. And man, Harvick didn’t hesitate. He’s all in on Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin to come out on top at Bristol Motor Speedway. He said, “I’m gonna go with Denny Hamlin”. Honestly? Not a bad call.
After last Sunday’s performance, we can say that Hamlin is riding serious momentum right now. After winning back-to-back races including a clutch win at Darlington, he’s looking like a man on a mission. Plus, the dude owns short tracks. Let’s not forget that he’s the defending winner of the Bristol spring race. And Harvick’s not alone in that pick, either. Co-host Mamba Smith is backing Hamlin too, saying, “He’s the guy that’s the right one.” Hard to argue with that.
Bristol’s chaos doesn’t care about predictions, it’s got a mind of its own. So now we ask you: Hamlin, Bell, or someone totally unexpected? Who’s gonna laugh last when the dust settles at the Last Great Coliseum?
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