BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Bakersfield native Kevin Harvick has been one of NASCAR's most elite drivers in recent years, finishing third in the Cup Series standings a season ago.

Before COVID-19 forced a shutdown on his sport in March, Harvick was leading those same standings in points and is now eager to return to the track later this month when NASCAR becomes the first American sport to come back with live events since the coronavirus outbreak.

23ABC Sports Director Kari Osep caught up with Harvick this week to discuss what the pandemic has been like in the Harvick household and how his family and training for his sport have altered during this time. They also talk about what it takes to keep success in NASCAR after all these years and why the North High grad signed an extension with his racing team through 2023.

Harvick also shared some of his favorite things about his hometown and how he was able to turn racing go-karts in Kern County into a successful NASCAR career.