In 2021, the NASCAR world erupted when Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick clashed, costing both drivers a win and sparking a rivalry that would become the highlight of the last Gen 6 season. But how did it all start that night in Bristol? Great question! Please read on to find out!
The Aggressive Move That Started It All
Battling for the lead at Bristol always comes with its risks, such as lap traffic and, of course, the possibility of someone getting overly aggressive behind you. That’s something Chase Elliott was probably thinking about as he saw the always aggressive happy Harvick in his rearview mirror. That’s when Chase Elliott ran into lap traffic, which forced him to abandon the line he was taking.
Harvick, sensing an opportunity, dove down the inside and got alongside Elliot. And moved straight up into his door. That caused Chase Elliott’s tire to flat, forcing him to pit and go a lap down. You could hear his anger very clearly on his radio after the pass for the lead, saying, “Every f****** week. “F*** him!” So it’s no shock he expressed that anger out on the track.
His at-the-time brand-new teammate, Kyle Larson, was in 2nd, so Chase decided to help a teammate out. And block new leader Harvick till Larson could catch up to him and take the lead. Chase Elliott did so for 20+ laps until Larson finally caught up and got the lead. Harvick was so angry that he almost wrecked Larson, but failed, and he went on to win.
Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott’s Multiple Post-Race Confrontations
The real show took place after the race, however. While Larson was doing burnouts, Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick were getting into it on pit road. It started with Kevin Harvick slamming and parking in front of Chase Elliott right before pit road. While at the end of pit road, Elliott parked right in front of Harvick, prompting the 2 to get out of their cars and talk to one another.
Harvick, for the most part, kept his helmet on, a signature of his, while Elliott wasted no time showing him who’s boss. Stopping from getting closer and then getting his index finger right up in Harvick’s face. Chase Elliott was yelling up a storm, with Harvick obviously not agreeing with a single thing the driver of the No. 9 was saying.
The Public Appeal of the Confrontations
Officials and media all gathered around them like drama-hungry sharks as the 2 continued their public disagreement until they started putting hands on one another and were quickly broken up. Harvick tried to get a shot at Elliott while he was still yelling at him. Afterwards, neither of them hides their true feelings from the media either. “It’s just chicken (expletive),” Harvick said after putting his helmet and glasses down.
He smashed the helmet so hard that he almost broke his own glasses. “What else can I say? Throw a temper tantrum like you’re 2 years old because you got passed for the lead and got a flat tire. We barely even rubbed. It’s all Chase’s way, or it’s no way. And if he doesn’t get his way, he throws a fit. I told him I wanted to rip his freaking head off.”
Were the Confrontations Purposeful?
“Whether he did it on purpose, it doesn’t matter,” Elliott said on NBCSN. “At some point, you’ve got to draw the line. I don’t care who he is or how long he’s been doing it; I will stand up for myself and my team.” But they weren’t done there either. A while after that, the ex-NASCAR Cup Series champions would continue their conversation after running into each other in the garage.
However, it did not look like they were agreeing with a single thing the other was saying. Harvick is even trying to walk away, but Chase Elliott continues to yell after him. After Harvick tried to get Bianchi to stop recording, they decided to continue their talk in the 9’s hauler. But with the rivalry continuing into the roval, it’s safe to say talk didn’t go very well. Thanks a bunch for reading!
