Although his racing career isn’t over, Kevin Harvick is already contemplating his first post-retirement move. After a successful stint last year with Fox Sports, Harvick will be returning to the booth as an analyst.
Harvick will be part of the Fox Sports broadcasting team for eight Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series races during the 2017 season. This part time gig will begin with the season-opening Xfinity race at Daytona [1] on February 25.
Kevin Harvick To Broadcast Position for 2017 NASCAR Season
This will mark the third consecutive year that Harvick has been calling the opening Xfinity race for Fox. Viewers would praise Harvick’s ability to give relevant and insightful observations during the race. This includes his breaking away from the stereotypical buzz phrases that have become all too common among sports broadcasters.
Harvick has expressed joy in calling races from the booth [2], having said “I really enjoy calling races. I enjoy the perspective of sitting up there and trying to figure out what’s going on. I also want to be a part of watching these young guys come up through the NASCAR Camping World Truck and Xfinity Series and have the experience of having been in the booth when they raced because, ultimately, it’s something I want to do down the road when I’m done driving.”
The 2014 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion is just one of many drivers the network will bring on board as analysts for this racing season. Among the drivers last year included Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, Danica Patrick, Clint Bowyer, Joey Logano, Carl Edwards, and Denny Hamlin.
Future as Analyst
Kevin Harvick became the first NASCAR Cup Series driver [3] to debut in Fox Sports’ first season of NASCAR Xfinity Series coverage as part of the on-air rotation of analysts. He was also in the Fox Sports booth for races in Las Vegas and Dover in 2015.
His work is admired by Fox Sports President Eric Shanks. The broadcasting network president said: “In his first few minutes in the Fox NASCAR booth at Daytona in 2015, Kevin Harvick quickly proved himself a natural as an analyst. He offers thought-provoking analysis each time he speaks, and does so in a concise and entertaining manner. We are thrilled to have him back this season for an expanded schedule of races.”
Adding current and former drivers to broadcast teams adds a unique perspective for viewers. Their credibility is unquestioned, and their insight from actually being down in the cars brings fans closer to sharing the same experiences.
Harvick will continue to race, joining the broadcast team in between the races he participates in.
He’ll be following in the footsteps of Jeff Gordon, another Cup series champion. Gordon famously went to the booth as an analyst at the end of his driving career.
