As Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) nears the end of its 16-year journey, the team reflects on some truly unforgettable victories, none more iconic than Kevin Harvick’s 2014 championship win. That year, Harvick’s first with SHR, he partnered with crew chief Rodney Childers, and they immediately created a winning formula that catapulted them to the NASCAR Cup Series’ highest achievement. Coming from Richard Childress Racing, Harvick already had 23 victories but was still chasing a championship. In 2014, his goal came within reach, though it wouldn’t be easy; NASCAR had introduced the high-stakes Chase elimination format, pushing even the best drivers to their limits.
Harvick and Childers didn’t just survive this cutthroat format; they dominated. Together, they secured four wins, positioning themselves as strong contenders. In the Chase format, drivers were gradually eliminated through four intense rounds, leaving just four in the final race for the title. Harvick embraced this challenge with confidence, famously calling the new system “the best thing that has happened to this sport over the last decade.” This resilience paid off as the duo headed into the Homestead-Miami Speedway championship race with one goal in mind: a title.
As SHR honors its legacy, the team recalls this defining moment through a tribute video showing Harvick’s determination at Homestead. Starting fifth, he quickly made his way to the front, trading leads with Jeff Gordon. Harvick stayed in the top five for most of the race, his sights locked on victory. Then, on lap 263, a well-timed debris caution gave him the chance to pit and grab fresh tires. This final pit stop put him in the perfect position to surge ahead, securing the lead with less than 10 laps remaining and leaving the competition in awe.
The Chase format created intense rivalries, and Harvick’s main challenger was Ryan Newman, who hadn’t won a race all season. In a thrilling last-lap showdown, Newman tried to edge Harvick out but ultimately couldn’t overcome the veteran’s flawless drive. Newman later admitted he considered a bold move to get ahead but respected Harvick’s dominance, noting, “I could have kept it wide open…but I had a pretty good run and just ran out of racetrack.”
Harvick’s 2014 win remains a cherished memory in SHR’s legacy. As the team’s NASCAR story draws to a close, moments like this championship triumph remind fans of SHR’s impact on the sport and the unforgettable highlights of Harvick’s career.
