After the thrilling showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway with rain delays and the heartbreak of Kyle Larson for missing the doubles, all the eyes shifted to the 15th race of NASCAR at World Wide Technology Speedway. The venue also reminded last year’s Chase Elliott’s controversial suspension for the WWT race due to a heated wreck at the Coke 600.
Another incident with a huge crash came off this time with the Stewart Haas Racing driver Josh Berry. When #4 of JOsh Berry approached turn 3, the left front tire suddenly blew out and immediately Berry lost control of his car and slammed his car hard into the outside wall. At first sight, it seemed like Berry had a hard contact and Kevin Harvick also uttered the word that snatched the spotlight and added an extra layer of entertainment.
The consequences were severe: he slammed into the outside wall with considerable force, effectively ending his day prematurely. Berry’s crash was a stark reminder of the fine margins in professional racing.
In a recent video posted by Harvick Happy Hour, Kevin Harvick, who has been in the spotlight for using unique and different words during commentary, snatched the spotlight once again. He was heard saying, “That car is indeed fugazi.”
That car is indeed fugazi.@KevinHarvick | @MambaSmith34 | @KaitlynVincie pic.twitter.com/g6uBe1Sfpt
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) June 2, 2024
Interestingly, in some cases, fugazi can also mean that something is messed up beyond recognition. For instance, if someone drives by a car accident and describes the pile-up as “fugazi,” they mean it’s in a chaotic and damaged state.
In Martin Scorsese’s film The Wolf of Wall Street, two characters have a conversation where one of them asks, “You know what a Fugazzi is?” The implication here is that it refers to something that doesn’t exist or is beyond repair.
For those who are unaware, Josh Berry replaced the legendary Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) during the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. Kevin Harvick, a seasoned driver with an illustrious career spanning 23 years, decided to retire after the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
The torch was passed to Berry, a talented rookie known for his impressive short-track experience. However, the transition wasn’t without its challenges.
As SHR faced impending closure following the 2024 season, emotions ran high among the team members. Tony Stewart, co-owner of SHR, made the difficult decision to shut down the team, leaving drivers like Berry in a precarious position.
The uncertainty surrounding the team’s future led to distractions, with crew members exploring job opportunities elsewhere. Despite this, Berry remained committed to the camaraderie within the No. 4 team, determined to make the most of the situation.
Kevin Harvick’s Unforgettable “Hullabaloo” Slip-Up at Talladega
Talladega Superspeedway, known for its high-speed, chaotic racing, often produces intense moments and unpredictable outcomes. During one such race, Kevin Harvick found himself in the commentary booth, attempting to describe the on-track action. However, it wasn’t the race itself that became memorable; it was Harvick’s unintentional creation of a new word: “hullabaloo.”
In a hilarious slip-up, Harvick stumbled over the word “hullabaloo,” leaving fans and fellow commentators amused. As he tried to convey the chaotic scene at Talladega, the word came out as a delightful blend of “hula” and “baloo.” It was a lighthearted moment that added humor to the intense atmosphere of the race.
During another race, Harvick had used the word “ENIGMA,” but his tongue got tied around it, leading to a debate over its usage. Clearly, Kevin Harvick’s secret words keep everyone entertained, even if they occasionally trip him up in the commentary booth.
Kevin Harvick’s Wordplay: The ENIGMA Incident
Kevin Harvick, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has not only left his mark on the racetrack but also in the commentary booth. Since transitioning from the driver’s seat to the broadcast booth, Harvick continues to entertain fans with his distinctive word choices during NASCAR Cup Series races.
During one race, Harvick decided to incorporate the word “ENIGMA” into his commentary. However, things took an unexpected turn. His tongue got tied around the word, resulting in a less-than-clear pronunciation.
Kevin Harvick shared a moment with Mike Joy when he made a mistake using the word. Harvick Happy Hour podcast co-host Mamba Smith asked Kevin Harvick about the situation in the commentary booth and Harvick shared the whole scene which was really light-hearted moment.
Kevin Harvick said, “He has quietly bought into our little game of the word of the week. Now I’m pretty sure that he just likes to hear me just muddy it up. So it went smooth the first time.”
“He said Enigma, got the context right. We had like this whole debate before the race as to what the proper context was, how I should use it, on and on and on. Everything came across perfectly fine. And we get, I don’t know, it seemed like it was well into the race. It was. Next thing you know, Mike’s like brought up the word Enigma again, and I was like, I don’t know.”
“And I don’t know what I was thinking. I said exactly like I’m doing right now. I just kind of fumbled around, and the next thing I know, I’m the, the, the, the.”
But here’s the twist: Mike Joy, his co-host, had intentionally tricked Harvick into using the word. For the first time, Kevin pronounced “ENIGMA” correctly, sparking a debate over its usage. Yet, when asked about it again, Harvick fumbled, showcasing the humorous moments that unfold in the commentary booth.
While this slip-up didn’t impact the race itself, it added a touch of amusement to the intense racing atmosphere. Harvick’s unintentional linguistic twist left fans both bewildered and amused.
How do these all start?
NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick has shifted gears from the racetrack to the commentary booth. After Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) announced its closure at the end of the 2024 season, Harvick found himself at a crossroads. Instead of retiring, he chose a new path—one that has caught the spotlight and left fans intrigued.
Kevin Harvick, known as “The Closer,” enjoyed an illustrious career with Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). During his 23-year stint in the NASCAR Cup Series, Harvick left an indelible mark on the sport.
Harvick secured 37 wins with SHR, making him the all-time leader for the team. He tied for ninth on the Cup Series’ all-time win list with 60 victories. Harvick led an impressive 16,000 laps throughout his career, a feat achieved by only 11 drivers in NASCAR history.
In January 2023, Harvick announced that the 2023 season would be his last as a Cup Series driver. At 47 years old, he decided to step away from racing to spend more time with his family.
During Kevin Harvick’s retirement speech, he shared as per motorspot.com, “There is absolutely nothing else in the world that I enjoy doing more than going to the racetrack, and I’m genuinely looking forward to this season. But as I’ve gone through the years, I knew there would come a day where I had to make a decision. When would it be time to step away from the car?
“I’ve sought out people and picked their brains. When I asked them when they knew it was the right time, they said it’ll just happen, and you’ll realize that’s the right moment. You’ll make a plan and decide when it’s your last year.
“It’s definitely been hard to understand when that right moment is because we’ve been so fortunate to run well. But sometimes there are just other things going on that become more important and, for me, that time has come.”
After retiring from racing, Harvick made a seamless transition to the commentary booth. Here’s how he caught fans’ attention with his unique phrases:
Harvick’s colorful language adds excitement to his commentary. He coined phrases like “hulalaboo” to describe intense moments on the track, instantly grabbing viewers’ attention. Fans appreciate his fresh perspective and entertaining style.
Harvick’s former teammate, Clint Bowyer, also retired from racing and joined the commentary team. Their camaraderie and shared experiences create an engaging dynamic during broadcasts.
Kevin Harvick Reacts to Stewart-Haas Racing Shutting Down: “It’s Unbelievable to Me!”
The NASCAR world was dealt substantial news recently, as Stewart-Haas Racing announced that it’s closing up shop after the 2024 season, expressing that it’s “time to pass the torch.” Kevin Harvick, who drove for Stewart-Haas Racing in each of his last 10 years in the Cup Series (2014-23), expressed bewilderment at the news.
“It’s unbelievable to me that we went from 4Ever to 4Ward to for sale in six months,” Kevin Harvick stated via his Happy Hour show.
“I don’t even know how you could possibly imagine sitting here today and thinking six months later that Stewart-Haas Racing is going to announce that they’re basically folding.”
“When I went there in 2014, it was a brand-new team. We had a lot of enthusiasm from the ownership group to build this team up into what turned into being a championship-winning team; Wwon a lot of races.”
“But I had a great group of people, and I think the people around that No. 4 car over the last 10 years are really what held that company together. I think that company was held together by the success of the 4 car.”
Harvick’s sentiments highlight the abruptness of the team’s closure. When he joined Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, it was a brand-new team with a lot of enthusiasm from the ownership group. Over the years, the team achieved significant success, including a championship win. However, Harvick emphasizes that the people around the No. 4 car (his car) were crucial in holding the company together.
The collapse of Stewart-Haas Racing raises questions about upper management decisions and the need for hands-on leadership. Gene Haas and Tony Stewart, the team’s owners, were supportive but somewhat hands-off. In today’s competitive racing landscape, active involvement from leadership is essential to navigate challenges effectively.
Harvick’s departure from Stewart-Haas Racing marks the end of an era. He secured 37 wins with the team, making him the all-time leader in victories for the organization. Stewart himself was second with 16 wins before retiring in 2016.
FAQs
“Is Kevin Harvick in the NASCAR Hall of Fame?”
As of now, Kevin Harvick is not yet inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. However, his remarkable career achievements make him a strong candidate for future consideration.
“When did Kevin Harvick retire from NASCAR?”
Kevin Harvick retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing at the end of the 2023 season. He transitioned to a role as a FOX Sports analyst and commentator for NASCAR races starting in 2024.
“Who replaced Kevin Harvick in 2024?”
Josh Berry took over as the driver for Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing after Harvick’s retirement in 2023.
“How many NASCAR Cup Series wins does Kevin Harvick have?”
Kevin Harvick secured 60 NASCAR Cup Series wins during his career, placing him ninth on the all-time win list.
“Did Kevin Harvick win any championships?”
Yes, Harvick won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2014. He also clinched the Xfinity Series championships in 2001 and 2006.
“What unique phrases does Kevin Harvick use during commentary?”
Harvick has coined phrases like “hulalaboo” during his commentary on FOX Sports broadcasts, adding an entertaining touch to his analysis.
“Which team did Kevin Harvick drive for during his career?”
Kevin Harvick raced for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) from 2014 until his retirement in 2023. His tenure at SHR included a championship win and consistent top performances.
“How many laps did Kevin Harvick lead in NASCAR?”
Harvick led over 16,000 laps during his 23-year career in the NASCAR Cup Series, a remarkable achievement shared by only a few drivers in history.
“What crown jewel events did Kevin Harvick win?”
Harvick is one of only four drivers to win all four of NASCAR’s crown jewel events: the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, the Brickyard 400, and the Southern 500.
“What role does Kevin Harvick play in the Kevin Harvick Foundation?”
The Kevin Harvick Foundation focuses on supporting children’s causes. For inquiries, you can contact them via phone or email.
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