Even though the season is over, all of us NASCAR fans haven’t forgot about the Chase Elliott/Kevin Harvick feud that ignited earlier this year at Bristol.
And it looks like Chase Elliott didn’t forget about it either.
Even with the warnings from NASCAR, this rivalry figures to spill over into next season, especially after this latest move from Hendrick Motorsports.
AS far as the beef goes, here’s a quick recap:
During the last few laps of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol, Kevin Harvick‘s #4 car got into the side of Chase Elliott‘s #9 car and cut down Elliott’s tire as the two were battling for the lead.
After changing his tires and coming back out on the track, Elliott (who was multiple laps down at that point) decided to block Harvick, who was battling for the lead, to keep him from winning the race.
The two then exchanged words (and shoves) after the race:
The boys are talking. The boys are shoving.
IT'S BRISTOL BABY. pic.twitter.com/EIghd7Sc8s
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 19, 2021
The following week, Elliott seemed to dismiss the talk of a “feud” between the drivers, but Harvick compared talking to Elliott to trying to talk to his 9-year old son, Keelan:
Kevin Harvick says his talk with Chase Elliott last week was like talking to his 9-year-old son, Keelan: pic.twitter.com/5Wj5VDUAMd
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 26, 2021
And the feud came to a head at the Charlotte Roval when Harvick punted Elliott into the wall:
Kevin Harvick WRECKS Chase Elliott!
Was it payback for Bristol? #NASCARPlayoffs x NBC pic.twitter.com/xfECn8Pn5V
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 10, 2021
With just a few laps remaining in the race, Elliott was in Harvick’s rearview mirror when Harvick suddenly missed a turn and drove his car straight into the outside wall, ruining his race and knocking himself out of the playoffs.
HARVICK GOES STRAIGHT INTO THE TURN 1 WALL. pic.twitter.com/aB78hjRIst
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 10, 2021
For his part, Elliott seemed like he was ready to move on from his feud with Harvick, but not before delivering one parting shot:
"As far as Kevin goes… Merry Offseason and happy Christmas."@ChaseElliott moves on. Kevin Harvick is eliminated. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/wFwTfhO04M
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 10, 2021
And now that Christmas is upon is, Chase and Team Hendrick took the opportunity bring back the legendary “Merry Offseason” line.
Hendrick Motorsports tweeted out a picture of Elliott holding a thumbs up, wearing a Christmas sweater that reads the iconic quote:
“Wishing you a MERRY OFFSEASON And a Happy Christmas!”
Needless to say, I don’t think Kevin Harvick will be ordering one…
A very merry offseason and happy Christmas from @chaseelliott and the @NAPARacing team. 🎄 pic.twitter.com/wvchkFEZQA
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) December 11, 2021