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Kevin Harvick Defends Jimmie Johnson’s Daytona 500 Performance, Using Dale Earnhardt’s 1990 Misfortune to Justify ‘Lucky’ Wins

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
February 20, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Kevin Harvick Defends Jimmie Johnson’s Daytona 500 Performance, Using Dale Earnhardt’s 1990 Misfortune to Justify ‘Lucky’ Wins

Feb 16, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (84) walks to the drivers meeting before the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Kevin Harvick has long been known for his candid takes and his deep understanding of the sport’s dynamics, and he’s just dropped another bombshell defense of Jimmie Johnson. Following a thrilling Daytona 500 where Johnson finished an impressive P3, Harvick used an unexpected comparison to defend Johnson’s success — and in doing so, reminded everyone of just how fickle Daytona can be.

When it comes to NASCAR’s most prestigious race, luck has always been a key factor in determining the outcome. For Jimmie Johnson, who was widely regarded as one of the best drivers of his era, the idea of ‘luck’ is not a dirty word. In fact, it might just be the unsung hero of his career. While Johnson’s finish was certainly a result of his skillful racecraft and perfect execution, Harvick emphasized that it’s about more than just talent — it’s about the combination of luck, timing, and strategy.

Harvick’s comments come after Johnson, who’s often had his share of bad luck at Daytona, finally snagged a P3 finish in the 2025 Daytona 500. It was his first podium finish in the race since 2013. Johnson, who has been chasing that elusive Daytona victory for years, was visibly moved after the race, admitting that it felt incredible to still have it in him. “Still got it. I have emotions I didn’t expect to have. This feels incredible,” Johnson said, encapsulating the emotional weight of the moment.

The Chaotic Finale: Strategy Meets Luck

Johnson’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. Despite an early setback when he was caught in the first wreck of the race, Johnson kept his cool and stuck to his strategy. Crew chief Chad Johnston played a crucial role in helping Johnson maneuver through the chaos. With perfect timing, Johnson pitted just before the end of Stage 2, which allowed him to gain track position while conserving fuel.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. During the final green-flag pit stops, Johnson lost over 20 spots after getting stuck behind another car on pit road. But, as NASCAR drivers know all too well, Daytona is a race of ups and downs, and luck can change in an instant. Johnson had to battle through the field, entering the final lap in 15th place amidst a sea of chaos and a three-wide battle for the lead.

As the leaders crashed ahead of him, Johnson took full advantage, nimbly avoiding wreckage and picking his way through the field to claim an impressive third-place finish. It was a performance that showcased not only his racing IQ but his incredible ability to capitalize on the kind of chaos that defines superspeedway racing.

Harvick Uses Dale Earnhardt’s 1990 Daytona Loss as a Lesson

Harvick, no stranger to Daytona’s unpredictable nature, was quick to remind everyone that luck plays a huge role in the sport. He drew a comparison between Johnson’s performance and that of Dale Earnhardt, whose 1990 Daytona 500 heartache serves as one of the sport’s greatest examples of bad luck leading to good fortune for others.

“Yes, you need luck to get to the finish line first, but let me remind you of something—Dale Earnhardt lost a ton of Daytona 500s due to bad luck.” Harvick said. He pointed out that Earnhardt’s bad luck in 1990 directly led to Derrick Cope’s victory, a scenario that Earnhardt fans will never forget. Cope, running second, found himself in the right place at the right time, benefiting from Earnhardt’s misfortune to take his one and only Daytona 500 win.

Harvick’s point was clear: in NASCAR, especially at Daytona, things don’t always go according to plan, and while drivers like Johnson work hard for every inch, sometimes luck is the deciding factor. Whether you win by pure skill or you take advantage of others’ mistakes, at the end of the day, it’s still a win.

The Bigger Picture: The Art of Daytona Racing

Harvick’s remarks underscore a larger truth about superspeedway racing: it’s as much about survival as it is about speed. The nature of races like the Daytona 500 has changed dramatically, and strategy is just as crucial as the ability to avoid the big wreck. Drivers now have to manage the race’s complexity, balancing speed with fuel management, avoiding wrecks, and hoping for the luck to be on their side when it counts.

Jimmie Johnson’s Daytona 500 performance is a perfect example of how everything needs to fall into place — the right strategy, the perfect timing, and, yes, a little bit of good fortune. While fans and drivers alike may debate the role of luck in racing, Kevin Harvick’s words serve as a reminder: at Daytona, sometimes all you need is a little bit of luck to make history.

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