Kevin Harvick is competing for his second Cup Series championship, and he is currently fourth in the points heading into Sunday's elimination race at Kansas Speedway.
Barring a disastrous performance combined with bad luck, Harvick will advance to the Round of 8. The 41-year-old has been competing full-time in the Cup Series since 2001, so he's familiar with the intensity of an elimination race in the postseason.
He recently said on NASCAR America and in another interview with NASCAR that professional athletes live for these moments.
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"I think those are the moments that you live for from a professional athlete's standpoint," Harvick said. "When you can succeed in those types of moments, there's really no better thrill than being able to achieve something when you only have one way out."
His mentality helped him win the championship in 2014, and he's finished in the top four in six other seasons.
He told Dale Jarrett on NASCAR America that he enjoys races like this despite the challenges they present.
"I like those moments," Harvick said. "I think they're very challenging. I love the thrill of being able to succeed in those moments. Because there's really no higher high than being able to accomplish something when you have no other option."
It's likely Harvick moves on to the next round, and then the pressure will intensify for him and whoever else makes the Round of 8.
(h/t NBC Sports)