Kevin Harvick Reflects on Dramatic NASCAR Charlotte Win

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was on the verge of breaking a nearly three-year winless drought in the NASCAR Cup Series in the 2011 Coca-Cola 600. As NASCAR's most popular driver rolled the No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet into turn 3 on the final lap with the lead, something catastrophic happened.

Earnhardt Jr. began to fall off pace and it was evident he was out of fuel. As he exited turn 4, Kevin Harvick blasted past the Hendrick Motorsports driver to steal the win in one of NASCAR's crown jewel races.

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Ahead of this weekend's NASCAR action at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Harvick reflected on that chaotic victory.

Kevin Harvick Talks Dramatic Coca-Cola 600 Win

On a recent episode of "Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour," the 2014 Cup Series champion was asked about his most fond memory from Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Harvick pointed to the 2011 Coca-Cola 600 and recounted what he remembered about the major turn of events in the final lap of the race.

"We were at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2011 and it became a fuel mileage race. … Dale Jr. was leading the race coming to the checkered flag into turn 3. Spotter was on the radio that the 88 was out of gas and as we came off turn 4, drove right by him like he was tied to a post because he was not running anymore and didn't have enough gas to get off of turn 4 back to the start/finish line," Harvick said.

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It might have been Harvick's favorite memory of racing at Charlotte, but Earnhardt Jr. and his massive fanbase would probably say otherwise. After years of struggle, Harvick finally conquered Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2011.

"My Budweiser hot rod had plenty of fuel to get back to the start/finish line, do a burnout and we crushed the hearts of Jr. Nation that night. Charlotte Motor Speedway was a complete struggle for us for so many years and we finally broke through with the Coke 600 for the first one," Harvick said.

NASCAR Circuit Returns to Charlotte Oval This Weekend

After previously racing on the Charlotte Roval from 2018-2025, the NASCAR circuit returns to the Charlotte oval for the Chase race at the 1.5-mile track this weekend. It will be a triple header affair as the Craftsman Truck Series, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Cup Series will all be on track.

For the Cup Series, it marks the fifth race of the Chase. The Bank of America 400 is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.