When Stephen A. Smith opened his mouth about NASCAR drivers not being athletes, he probably didn't expect a former champion to come roaring back. Kevin Harvick did exactly that, and he didn't hold back.
On SPEED with Harvick and Buxton, the retired driver and current announcer tore into Smith's claim that race car drivers and golfers don't qualify as athletes. Harvick made it crystal clear: if you don't know the sport, keep your trap shut.
“Here's the deal with Stephen A. Smith: this guy has no clue about racing,” Harvick said. “And I don't mind people criticizing our sport or our drivers or our people, but 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 didn't just stop at calling out Smith's ignorance. He backed it up with real numbers. During a 500-mile race, Harvick recalled burning a staggering 3,200 calories in a single event. “You're in the car for a long time, hot day, (we) didn't have a lot of cautions that day,” he explained. The heat and non-stop action push drivers' heart rates into marathon-runner territory, according to Harvick.
This isn't a solo mission either. The NASCAR community has rallied against Smith's comments. Joey Logano fired back, as did Ryan Preece, Mike Joy, and Front Row Motorsports. Mike Joy also took aim at Smith, reinforcing that drivers endure physical demands that rival any traditional sport. The backlash shows how deeply Smith's words cut into a sport that prides itself on grit and endurance.
Smith's broader point—that athletes are only those who run, jump, or throw—ignores the reality of motorsports. Harvick's response underscores a growing frustration with hot takes that dismiss entire disciplines without understanding them. The debate isn't just about NASCAR; it's about respect for the athleticism required to compete at the highest level, no matter the vehicle.
As the feud continues, Harvick's message stands: keep opinions grounded in knowledge, not ignorance. For now, Smith has learned that in NASCAR, you don't mess with the drivers—or the champions who defend them.
