Fighting lessons for Harvick? Miesha has his back – Nascar (blog)

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate has briefly traded in her gloves for a NASCAR headset this weekend as she serves as the Grand Marshal of the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

Managed by Kevin Harvick‘s management team Kevin Harvick Inc., Tate is no stranger to the track. But that wasn’t always the case: The UFC star considered herself a novice when she was first introduced to the racing world.

RECAP: Miesha’s big UFC win, and NASCAR reaction

The experience has changed her perception of the sport.

“I think one of the other most surprising things is how much I admire (the drivers) as athletes and what they really go through and the training,” Tate said Sunday morning at Michigan. “I never really thought about their mental focus has to be spot-on for three-plus hours. I mean, that’s incredible to ask anyone to do that and if they lose focus for a second’s time, their life is on the line.

“Not just winning the race, but it’s a dangerous sport so they really have to be on point.”

Athletic as they may be, Tate says there’s one area where Harvick may need just a tad more conditioning.

“Kevin, I’m still going to have to give him a few (fighting) lessons,” Tate said with a smile. “I’ve seen some of his punching and kicking and we’ve got a little work to do.”

Kevin, if you’ve got a teacher like Miesha, we think you’ll be just fine. @nascarcasm, on the other hand …

.@nascarcasm got a little out of hand at today’s #TweetUp at @MISpeedway, but @MieshaTate took care of him. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/NSsoXvKvJN

— KHI Management (@KHIManagement) June 12, 2016