In the world of NASCAR, Kevin Harvick is a driver many fans would consider to be one of stock car racing’s more villainous figures. Harvick was nicknamed “Happy Harvick” ironically due to his occasional temper outbursts. In fact, his pit sign, which is a smiley face, is a play on the nickname. He was called the “Bakersfield Basher” in his early years for his aggressive driving style.
As a man who has never shied away from a fight, even on the NASCAR track, it makes sense that Kevin Harvick would be a fan of mixed martial arts.
We got involved with the guys from Tapout, they were involved with the racing program, and I was interested in [MMA]. I had wrestled and just enjoyed watching the sport, Harvick said. The greatest thing about MMA is that you can have the best guy against the worst guy and one shot can change it, so you never really know what’s going to happen.
Happy Harvick recently indulged his love of mixed martial arts by visiting with former Ultimate Fighting Championship Welterweight Champion Johny Hendrick at the Velociti Fitness Training Center in Pantego, Texas.
His MMA ability wasn’t bad, for being a NASCAR driver. He’s still athletic, but he’s not the fighter type, said Hendricks. You gotta go in there and you gotta deal with the athlete you’re given.
Although it is wildly unlikely that we will see Harvick in the UFC octagon any time soon, it’s also equally unlikely we will see Hendricks behind the wheel at the Indianapolis 500.
Jeff Warsaw is the former executive editor of Long Island MMA Magazine, professional combat sports public address announcer for several NY/NJ MMA and kickboxing promotions, and a proud one-stripe white belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the famed Joe D’Arce. He is currently a musician, coffee enthusiast and host of the Stranger In A Strange Land podcast on YouTube.
