Kevin Harvick has opened up on the honor of being named as one of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2027 this week.
The former Cup Series champion will be joined in the Hall by Jeff Burton and Larry Phillips after Tuesday's vote, with Lesa France Kennedy winning the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions.
Harvick ended his career in 2023 in the top ten for all-time Cup Series victories (he's since been edged out by Denny Hamlin), and made it into the Hall of Fame at the first time of asking, appearing on 46 of 50 ballots.
The former team owner admitted that he didn't want to be in the room for the reading of the latest names to be enshrined in the Hall, instead sitting outside the building in his truck.
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Harvick: Hall of Fame process 'really weird'
Speaking about his reaction to the announcement, he told media: "It’s been really weird. It felt so arrogant to come sit in the room [for the announcement]. I've never been somebody who wants to pat myself on the back or show that you're so confident in something that you're doing.
"I want to be respectful and I want it to be so that it feels right, and I don't want anybody to think that you take it for granted."
The newly-minted Hall of Famer added: "I've been told a few times in the NASCAR trailer [that] this sport will go on with or without you, so you can either get it straight or you can keep going, and that's true.
"Everybody’s career ultimately comes to an end, and the things that you do are what they were, and so to be able to have accomplished enough to be standing here today, I feel pretty fortunate because I had a lot of good people, a lot of good cars, and a lot of great moments to be able to have the success that we did.
"It's quite an honor to be able to stand in here and have your name next to so many of the greats in our sport."
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