NASCAR: 3 new rivalries that we did not see coming
By Randy Smith
Rivalry No. 1: Chase Elliott vs. Kevin Harvick
The suggestion that a Chase Elliott vs. Kevin Harvick rivalry would be happening in the 2021 season would of been seen as one of the wildest takes in the sport, but it became a reality at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Elliott was leading late in the race at the 0.533-mile (0.858-kilometer) high-banked oval in Bristol, Tennessee, but Harvick was gaining on him.
With 35 laps left to go, Harvick and Elliott entered a field full of lap traffic. Harvick took the lead, but he ran Elliott up the track in the process. Harvick’s splitter cut into Elliott’s tire, causing the 25-year-old Dawsonville, Georgia native to pit and essentially give up hope for a win at “The Last Great Colosseum”. And the rest was history.
Once Elliott got back on track, he made sure the #4 Ford would not be parked in victory lane that evening. Elliott tried to return the favor, but when that wasn’t possible, he held up Harvick’s line to help teammate Kyle Larson to win the race. Elliott had echoed this to his team on pit road when he asked, “Where’s the #5 at? I’ll help him out.”
After the race, the two had a heated conversation on pit road, with Harvick saying in his post-race interview that Elliott threw a “temper tantrum”. Elliott said that he didn’t care who Harvick was or how long he’s been in the sport and that he would stand up for himself and his team. He did just that.
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What lies ahead for the two is unknown, as they both were able to advance to the round of 12 and now have an opportunity to get into the round of 8. But one thing is for sure; Elliott and Harvick each have an opportunity to make sure the other won’t be able to grab his second championship.