NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick criticized Stephen A. Smith this week after the ESPN personality said racecar drivers should not be considered athletes.
Harvick addressed the remarks during Tuesday’s episode of his show, pushing back on Smith’s comments about the physical demands of racing.
“If you don’t know anything about racing, just keep your opinion to yourself because you shouldn’t even have an opinion if you don’t know anything about a sport,” Harvick said Tuesday.
He added: “I think this is just instance where Stephen A. Smith is looking for clicks on something he knows absolutely nothing about what he’s talking about.”
Smith, 58, made the comments last week on his self-titled show while discussing the greatest athletes of all time. The conversation included Richard Petty, a seven-time Cup Series champion. “Come on, man. That don’t count,” Smith said after a caller cited Petty’s accomplishments. “You driving a car?”
When challenged by the caller, Smith expanded on his position. “You can get behind the wheel of a car at 75 years old. That don’t count. That’s not the same. That has no place in this category. You should be ashamed of yourself trying to slide that in,” Smith said. “A golfer is not an athlete. A NASCAR driver is not an athlete. That’s just not true. We’re not going to act like it is.”
Harvick, who ranks 11th all-time in NASCAR Cup Series wins with 60, cited physiological data to counter the claim. He said he previously worked with Polar, a watch company, to track his performance during a race.
The device initially showed he burned 3,200 calories. After adjustments, a second reading recorded 2,400 calories due to more caution periods.
“The only things we see with that much of a calorie burn or constant heart rate are marathon runners,” Harvick said.
Related: Bill Belichick Gets ‘WAG’ Label From Girlfriend Jordon Hudson After Cheerleading Worlds Win
Harvick’s response is part of a broader reaction from within NASCAR, where multiple drivers have objected to Smith’s characterization of the sport.
Harvick reacts to Carson Hocevar’s first cup win and Talladega celebration
Harvick also addressed Carson Hocevar’s first NASCAR Cup Series victory during the same episode.
Hocevar secured his first win in his 91st start at Talladega on Sunday, finishing ahead of Chris Buescher in the closing laps. After the race, Hocevar climbed onto the window ledge of his No. 77 car and rode along the frontstretch in celebration.
Harvick described the moment while reflecting on the driver’s personality.
“Kid beats to his own path, doesn’t care what anybody else thinks. He goes out of his way to to do things that are fun for his sponsor in the infield. And I think this is probably one of the most popular wins that that we’ve seen in in NASCAR in a long time. And and Carson had one of the most unique celebrations that I’ve ever seen.”
In case you missed: Paige Bueckers Sets Boundary on Personal Life Questions Involving Azzi Fudd
YouTuber Banned for Life From NFL Events After Fake Draft Pick Stunt
The celebration drew inspiration from Dale Earnhardt’s 1986 race at Richmond, linking Hocevar’s moment to a notable piece of NASCAR history.
