NASCAR calls an end to popular Elliott-Harvick feud
Snarky comment sparked gear sales
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It only took about a day after Chase Elliott wished Kevin Harvick “a merry offseason and Happy Christmas” for NASCAR’s reigning champion to get the zinger on merchandise on his official website.
The holiday-themed gear even has its own tab in the online store.
It’s the kind of trolling that typically would infuriate Harvick and incite another round of retaliation in his raging feud with Elliott.
Elliott need not worry: NASCAR squashed this rivalry in a conference call with both teams before the drivers even arrived at Texas Motor Speedway for Sunday’s opening race of the third round of the playoffs. In a short message delivered to the drivers, their crew chiefs, car owners and manufacturer representatives, NASCAR this week warned of severe consequences if Elliott and Harvick continue their fight.
Alan Gustafson, Elliott’s crew chief, indicated the NASCAR intervention was to protect the integrity of the playoffs.
“I think they’ve had enough. They made that pretty clear,” Gustafson said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Elliott is trying to advance to the championship finale to defend his Cup title. Harvick was eliminated last week when he wrecked himself as Elliott closed in on his rear bumper.
Harvick had wrecked Elliott earlier in the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway as payback for Elliott costing him a win three weeks earlier at Bristol. After the crash last Sunday, which put Elliott in danger of playoff elimination, Elliott was told by his crew to wreck Harvick if given the chance.
He didn’t have to do a thing, though, because as Elliott and Harvick headed into the tricky first turn on the hybrid road course/oval, Harvick inexplicably drove straight into the wall. He later indicated the first crash was deliberate payback for Bristol, but Harvick walked away when asked if the feud was over.
Elliott then delivered his verbal jab, team owner Rick Hendrick called on NASCAR to intervene, and NASCAR shut it down.
The cease fire was met with disdain on social media by fans thirsty for more bumping and banging between two of NASCAR’s top stars, but it was welcomed by some of the drivers still in title contention.
“I’m just trying to avoid it, you know? Or at least be aware of the situation,” Joey Logano said.