See Also: Kevin Harvick Biography
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Harvick says some drivers 'just need to grow up': Kevin Harvick isn't impressed with the attitudes of some of the young drivers who have arrived in NASCAR in the last few years. After a meeting on Friday in which NASCAR president Mike Helton asked drivers to complain less and be more mindful of the economic woes affecting fans, Harvick said Saturday that a lot of the grousing is coming from drivers who haven't been around long. "There are a lot of them that disrespect the sport week in and week out and they act like a bunch of 18-year-old punks, which most of them probably are, and they just need to grow up," Harvick said. "If we all move in the same direction, things will get better, as they would in any business, whether it's the media or the drivers or the owners. Everybody here has the same goal and that's to have a successful sport." (AP/That'sRacin)
July 12, 2006
Harvick's Goodwrench Crew wins Drive-Thru Challenge: Kevin Harvick’s over-the-wall crew collected its second Checkers®/Rally’s® Double Drive-Thru Challenge win of the season Sunday by spending the least amount of time on pit road during the USG Sheetrock 400. Harvick’s No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet spent 192.847 seconds on pit road during the 400-mile race. The winning performance by the No. 29 crew lifted Harvick to a fourth-place finish. “It is great to see our guy’s hard work and dedication get rewarded,” said team pit crew coach Corrine Mauldin. “I am so happy for them. They work hard week-in and week-out to be the best. It was excellent teamwork all around.” Harvick’s over-the-wall team, which also picked up pit crew challenge honors at Richmond International Raceway in May, includes: Nick Terry (jackman), Josh Mick (front-tire carrier), Jason Pulver (front-tire changer), Matt Krueter (rear-tire carrier), Clint Pittman (rear-tire changer), Brian Englehart (gasman), Scott Naset (catch can), Rick Tulbert (2nd gas can) and John Goodwin (eighth-man). The team is led by crew chief Todd Berrier. The Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge is in its second season of rewarding pit crews, the unsung heroes in the Nextel Cup Series. (DMF Communications)
May 11, 2006:
#29 Crew wins Checker's Drive-Thru Challenge: Kevin Harvick's race team scored its first win of the season in the weekly Checkers / Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge competition by spending the least amount of time on pit road in Saturday night's Nextel Cup race at Richmond International Raceway. The GM Goodwrench crew, which spent 164.225 seconds on pit road during the Crown Royal 400, helped propel its driver to a third-place finish in the event. Harvick also led the most laps, 272 of 400. "It was a great race for our entire GM Goodwrench crew," said Todd Berrier, crew chief for the No. 29 Chevrolet. "Our guys did an excellent job on pit road. We had good, clean, fast pit stops all night that helped keep Kevin up front." Harvick's over-the-wall crew consists of: Nick Terry (jackman), Josh Mick (front-tire carrier), Jason Pulver (front-tire changer), Matt Krueter (rear-tire carrier), Clint Pittman (rear-tire changer), Brian Englehart (gasman), Scott Naset (catch can), Rick Tulbert (2nd gas can) and John Goodwin (eighth-man). The team's pit crew coach is Corrine Mauldin. The #29 Richard Childress Racing crew will be awarded the weekly $10,500 prize. A bonus of $105,000 will be presented by Checkers/Rally's to the team with the most pit crew challenge wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule. After 10 Nextel Cup races, the pit crews for Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and Elliott Sadler are tied for first place in the Checkers/Rally's Double Drive-Thru Challenge standings with two wins each. Checkers/Rally's is the Official Burger and Drive-Thru Restaurant of NASCAR, more info at checkers.com. (DMF Communications PR)
May 5, 2006:
K. Harvick and RCR announces contract extension through 2009: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Kevin Harvick have agreed to terms on a contract extension that will see Harvick as an RCR driver through the 2009 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. Harvick drives RCR's #29 GM Goodwrench/Reese's Chevy in the NEXTEL Cup Series and RCR's #21 Coast Guard Chevy in the Busch Series. Harvick's career statistics include six victories and 70 top-10 finishes in the NEXTEL Cup Series and 19 victories and 98 top-10 finishes in the Busch Series. "Kevin is an important part of the RCR organization and we're happy that will continue," said Richard Childress, President and CEO of RCR. "He has done a great job in both the NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series and we look for that to continue over the next several seasons." Harvick is currently seventh in the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series point standings with one win and four top-10 finishes. He leads the Busch Series standings by 274 points, ahead of RCR teammate Clint Bowyer in second place, with two wins and nine top-10 finishes. "I'm looking forward to the next three years at RCR," said Kevin Harvick. "We've made a lot of changes over the past year that have really helped point the organization in the right direction. The chemistry feels right between the drivers, the crew chiefs and the teams. Above all else, there is a long relationship at RCR that Richard and I have. I feel like it would take time to recreate what we've built over the last seven years. "(RCR PR)
May 3, 2006:
Report: Harvick and Childress reach agreement: Nextel Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick and Richard Childress Racing have reached a tentative agreement on a contract extension to keep Harvick in RCR's No. 29 Chevrolet for the next several years, RCR sources have told The Charlotte Observer. RCR has reserved a news conference slot Friday at 2:45 p.m. Eastern in the infield media center at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, site of Saturday night's Crown Royal 400. A Friday "RCR press conference" was noted on several pre-Richmond race news releases issued Tuesday by RCR teams, although its purpose was not given. A contract extension with RCR would remove Harvick from the list of available, talented drivers who were slated to become "free agents" at season's end. (ThatsRacin.com)
April 30, 2006:
Harvick/RCR close to contract deal: Richard Childress and Kevin Harvick are close to a deal that would keep the driver with Richard Childress Racing well beyond the 2006 season. "I think (a deal) is real likely," Childress said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway. "We hope to get it done in the next couple of weeks." Harvick, in the final year of his contract with RCR, was considered a major target for Toyota, which is entering NASCAR's Nextel Cup series in 2007, especially after he voiced concerns late last season that his current team was not capable of winning a championship. (News14)
April 27, 2006:
Todd Berrier wins Wypall Crew Chief of the Race award: Team owner Richard Childress may have been the one on a hunting trip this weekend, but it was his driver Kevin Harvick who came home with the trophies. Harvick won both the Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series races at Phoenix International Raceway, bringing each of his crew chiefs, Shane Wilson and Todd Berrier, the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award. Following each race, a panel of voters; including Tony Eury Sr., Robbie Reiser, a member of the local media and a Wypall Wipers representative; cast their vote for the crew chief they thought made the biggest impact on his team. Wilson and Berrier were voted the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race for their solid runs. In the Subway Fresh 500 on Saturday, it wasn't until lap 304 that Harvick cruised into the lead, putting him at the point for the final nine laps. For winning the Crew Chief of the Race award, Wypall Wipers gave Berrier $1,000. At the end of the season, the Nextel Cup crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000 and be crowned the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. This was Berrier's first Crew Chief of the Race award in 2006, which ties him with Darian Grubb and Roy McCauley for second-place in the standings. Robbie Reiser and Kenny Francis are tied for the lead, each with two wins. (Wypall PR)
April 23, 2006:
Harvick sweeps in Phoenix: Kevin Harvick dominated in the desert again Saturday night, winning the Nextel Cup race for a weekend sweep at Phoenix International Raceway. Harvick, who won the Busch Series race Friday night, passed Greg Biffle with 10 laps to go to win for the first time in more than a year. Once Harvick got by Biffle, it was clear sailing because the top challengers had late fuel problems. Biffle ran out of gas, then Mark Martin's tank went dry. It left only Tony Stewart to chase Harvick down and he never got close. Harvick coasted to the finish line, then celebrated his sixth career Nextel Cup victory with a smoky celebratory spin on the frontstretch. He, too, had feared he might run out of gas, but didn't have to push it because the competition was so far back. (ABC News - Results - Points)
April 22, 2006:
Harvick hopes to have decision in 2 weeks: In the next two weeks Kevin Harvick hopes to have what could easily be the biggest decision of his racing career behind him. Whatever that outcome, he hopes to remain on course for what could be his best season as a driver. "I think it's only fair to the parties involved to make a decision sooner, rather than later and string everything along," said Harvick, whose contract is up at the end of this season with Richard Childress Racing as driver of the No. 29 Chevrolets. "My team thought I was leaving since the middle of last year and they haven't crumbled, contrary to what some may think. It's all about staying focused on driving and performance, and we have tried not to pay attention to the situation that we are kind of in." That "situation" is complicated. (Charlotte Observer)
March 27, 2006:
Childress offers no comment on Harvick contract: Childress also had little to say about contract negotiations with Kevin Harvick. The two had set an early April deadline for deciding their plans for 2007, but both appear to be downplaying any deadline. "We're in the talking stage right now," Childress said. "We haven't put any deadline on it." And Childress insisted he didn't sense Harvick might be looking more and more like a lame duck. (Salem-Journal)
March 25, 2006:
Harvick wants to whoop Kurt Busch: Kevin Harvick is apparently irritated with Kurt Busch for on-track contact last week in Atlanta. Then again, Harvick has never really gotten along with the former Nextel Cup champion. Asked Friday if he could correct one misconception about himself, Harvick launched into a tirade about Busch. "I think I would have whooped Kurt Busch before now," Harvick said. "Obviously, he forgot about getting punched in his nose last time from Jimmy Spencer." "I probably shouldn't have said that," Harvick quickly followed. But instead of stopping his assault on Busch, he continued. "I'll still tell you what I think - I'd still like to whip his (butt). Before the year's over, he'll make a fool out of (car owner) Roger Penske." (AP/FOX Sports)
Harvick and Roush? There was also a new report, from usually reliable sources, that Harvick is also entertaining a job offer from a current rival team on the tour, possibly Ford's Jack Roush, although Roush wasn't here to discuss that. (Salem-Journal)
March 24, 2006:
Harvick and Childress being contract discussions: Kevin Harvick said Friday he has no set deadline on deciding his future in the Nextel Cup Series, but he has started the process of talking with Richard Childress Racing about a possible contract extension. "There was never any hard date set. There is not a specific date. We just decided that sometime in April when things had settled down, we could sit down and talk," said Harvick, who has driven RCR's No. 29 Chevrolet since the 2001 season. "We had a couple minutes to sit down the other day just for the first time. We got those initial conversations under way, so we'll see where it goes." (Charlotte Observer)
March 20, 2006:
Harvick wants GM support for Truck/Busch/Cup: Kevin Harvick has set too high a price tag in his contract renegotiations with General Motors, and it now seems unlikely that car owner Richard Childress will renew the deal, according to sources. The two have set an early April deadline. Harvick drives Nextel Cup cars for Childress, and also fields a Truck for Ron Hornaday and two Busch cars, for Burney Lamar, Ron Fellows, Tony Stewart and himself, all under Kevin Harvick Inc. Toyota would likely be willing to support Harvick with a full Nextel Cup-Busch-Truck package, but it is unclear if GM is willing to match that. (Salem-Journal)
Nov. 15, 2005:
Harvick and the Kelly's on NASCAR.com: SportsBlast, a producer of innovative animated content for the Internet and traditional media, announced that 2001 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year and Busch Series Champion Kevin Harvick will appear on the 2005 series finale of The Kellys, the first animated series depicting the experiences of a stock car racing team. The final episode, "Harvick Dusts Team Kelly" will be available exclusively on www.nascar.com beginning Friday, November 18th leading into the season finale of the Nextel Cup Chase and the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "I'm thrilled to be the first Nextel Cup driver featured on The Kellys," Harvick said. "I am a big fan of the show. I always wanted to be a cartoon when I grew up." The Kellys is an animated series, optimized for broadband viewing, about a dedicated racing family who are the most popular underdogs on the racing circuit. Harvick, appearing as himself, was chosen by NASCAR fans as one of the five most popular drivers in 2004 and a winner of the prestigious Brickyard 400, among his career accomplishments. "Kevin is a great addition to an already star-studded cast," said Peter Kjenaas, producer and director of The Kellys "The success of The Kellys demonstrates that fans enjoy the originality of having an animated series on a sports league site." "Like most people my age, I grew up on animated shows like The Simpsons and Liquid Television on MTV," Harvick continued. "The show running on NASCAR.com is a whole new venue for a weekly series like this, and I'm just happy to be a part of it." (SportsBlast)
Nov. 2, 2005:
Harvick Family Sad News: After a long and courageous fight, John Paul - DeLana Harvick''s father - has lost his battle with cancer. He passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2005. In lieu of flowers or gifts, they are asking that donations be made to Victory Junction Gang Camp in memory of John Paul Linville. Donations should be sent to: Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, NC 27317.(KevinHarvick.com)
Oct. 29, 2005:
Reese's to be primary sponsor for 12 races for #29: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced that GM Goodwrench and The Hershey Company have joined forces as co-primary sponsors of RCR's #29 Chevy driven by Kevin Harvick in 2006. GM Goodwrench will be the primary sponsor for 24 races, including the Daytona 500. The Hershey Company, through its Reese's brand, will be the primary sponsor for 12 races, including the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "We see this as a great opportunity to extend our NASCAR program with a brand like REESE'S," said Jim Moloney, General Director, GM Service and Parts Operations Marketing. "We have had a relationship with The Hershey Company through our involvement with Richard Childress Racing for five years now and it continues to grow and prosper. When we analyzed our GM Goodwrench sponsorship program, we saw a great opportunity to reach a much larger demographic audience by teaming up with The Hershey Company. While it may be strange for fans to see the #29 Chevrolet without GM Goodwrench as the lone primary sponsor, the opportunity for additional exposure generated by REESE'S is too good to pass up." (RCR PR)
Oct. 27, 2005:
Martin to be Crew Chief: ACDelco Chevrolet crew chief Gil Martin will spend his Busch Series bye week calling the shots on the GM Goodwrench Monte Carlo. Martin was the team’s crew chief last Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. (RCR PR)
Oct. 22, 2005:
Fill in crew chief for Harvick: Chris Hussey will be unable to serve as Kevin Harvick's interim crew chief this weekend because of a family obligation. Car owner Richard Childress said that Rick Viers, a crew chief for one of Childress' teams, might make the pit calls for Harvick today. (Roanoke)
Oct. 8, 2005:
Harvick's father in-law ill: Kevin Harvick will be leaving the Kansas Speedway as soon as he qualify's his Busch car later this afternoon to be at his wife's side. Delana Harvick's father, John Linville, is nearing the end of a long battle with cancer. Harvick plans on being back tomorrow. However, if he doesn't come back Jeff Burton will drive the #21 Reese's Chevrolet in the Busch race. RCR Busch Series driver Clint Bowyer will practice a few laps in the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevy this afternoon in case he has to be Harvick's qualifying stand-in tomorrow.
Oct. 5, 2005:
Richard Childress Statement Regarding NASCAR Penalty
Berrier appeals suspension, will be in pits Sunday: Crew chief Todd Berrier plans to appeal his two-race suspension and will be in Kevin Harvick's pit for Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Kansas Speedway. The appeal is expected to be a heard early next week by a National Stock Car Racing Commission panel. Berrier announced his plans Wednesday and will be allowed to work with the team. "We feel we have a responsibility to GM Goodwrench and all of our sponsors, as well as all of our fans, to stand up for what we think is right," team owner Richard Childress said. Berrier was sent home and Harvick's Chevrolet was disqualified last Friday after NASCAR found several violations in the trunk of Harvick's car after he qualified second at Talladega Superspeedway. (Sporting News)
Berrier suspension extended: The suspension of Todd Berrier, the Nextel Cup crew chief for Kevin Harvick and the No. 29 Goodwrench Chevrolet, was extended two more races by NASCAR. Berrier also was fined $10,000 for unapproved fuel cell modifications at Talladega last weekend. He was ejected from the speedway Saturday. (Dallas Morning News)
Oct. 4, 2005:
#29 Crew Chief Berrier suspended: NASCAR announced today that NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series crew chief Todd Berrier has been suspended, fined and placed on probation because of rule violations this past weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Berrier, crew chief of the #29 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick, was suspended from NASCAR competition until Oct. 19, fined $10,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. During post-qualifying inspection last Friday, the #29 was found to have an unapproved aerodynamic modification and an unapproved fuel cell vent mounting – violations of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components, and/or equipment that do not conform to NASCAR rules) in the series rule book. (NASCAR PR)
Oct. 1, 2005:
Harvick's time disallowed, Berrier removed from speedway: Crew chief Todd Berrier was suspended for Sunday's race at Talladega Superspeedway after Kevin Harvick's car failed inspection. Harvick qualified second for the race, but his Chevrolet was disqualified after NASCAR found three violations in the trunk area. Car owner Richard Childress was called into the NASCAR office Saturday morning and told that Berrier had been ordered from the track. It's not clear how long the suspension will last. Berrier sat out four races at the beginning of this season when he was caught rigging Harvick's fuel tank. He also was fined $25,000 and the team was docked points. Childress spent an hour arguing with NASCAR on Berrier's behalf. "If I said what I wanted to say right now I'd probably be in bigger trouble than Todd," Childress said. "All I can say is it's a new era in NASCAR." Harvick's car failed inspection Friday because the trunk area was not properly sealed, the fuel vent was not vented to the outside of the car and doors that open from the inside of the trunk to the car's shock absorbers were open when they should have been closed. He will now start 42nd on Sunday and Childress said he would move on top of the pit box to help call Harvick's race. Childress did the same thing during Berrier's first suspension and the team responded by winning the race in Bristol, Tenn. (The Sporting News)
Sep. 18, 2005:
Harvick and Ganassi rumors persist: Kevin Harvick has been noticeably unhappy this season. And even Friday's unusual announcement by car owner Richard Childress that he and Harvick would be living up to their contract and sticking together through the 2006 season hasn't diminished speculation that Harvick has something in the works. There's speculation that he might have a 2007 game plan with car owners Roger Penske or Chip Ganassi. The Ganassi option seems logical. Jamie McMurray has signed a 2007 contract to take Mark Martin's place with Jack Roush, so Ganassi has that hole to fill. So this year's version of NASCAR's annual game of musical chairs has taken on an unusual tone. Now, might Ganassi release McMurray to Roush for 2006, if Ganassi could get Harvick from Childress, and would that be enough inducement for Roush to release Kurt Busch to Penske for 2006? (Salem-Journal)
Sep. 17, 2005:
Harvick back in 06 with RCR: Kevin Harvick will be back behind the wheel of Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. Speculation has fueled rumors that the 2001 NEXTEL Cup Series Rookie of the Year would move to another team at the end of this season. RCR President and CEO Richard Childress hopes to put that speculation to rest. “Kevin will be the driver of the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevy next season,” said Childress. “He and I have committed to moving forward together in fulfilling our current agreement, which runs through 2006, and we anticipate being together for many years beyond that. Our focus is on continuing to improve our performance this year and being a championship contender in 2006.” Harvick is in his fifth year of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competition, all with RCR, and has five victories, 30 top-five and 63 top-10 finishes, and four poles. He is currently 14th in this season’s point standings with one victory, three top-five and seven top-10 finishes. In his sixth season of driving in the NASCAR Busch Series for RCR, he has 16 victories, 60 top-five and 85 top-10 finishes, and 13 poles. “Richard has made key additions to RCR that will benefit the organization,” said Harvick. We are both committed to make 2006 a successful season. I’ve always intended to fulfill my obligations to Richard, RCR and all of our sponsors.” (Richard Childress Racing PR)
Sep. 5, 2005
Harvick to Ganassi? Rumors here are widespread that Kevin Harvick may be headed to Ganassi’s No. 42, thus freeing McMurray to move to Roush Racing a year early. (Gaston Gazzette) Early reports have Harvick going to Ganassi in 2007 as a Toyota?
Aug 31, 2005
Harvick tested Monday at Milwaukee: Harvick and the No. 29 team tested at The Milwaukee Mile on Monday. While missing the Chase might have been a good reason to cancel the test, GM Goodwrench crew chief Todd Berrier continues to work to improve the team’s program for the final races and get a head start on next years season. (RCR PR)
Harvick to switch manufacturers, maybe 42 Toyota in '07? It wasn't that long ago that Harvick was rumored to be the leading candidate to replace Rusty Wallace in the No. 2 car. At the time, he said he was committed to the No. 29 team and was expected to sign a lifetime agreement with Childress. But as the Chase loomed closer and Harvick appeared destined to miss the playoffs -- again -- the climate changed. Last Friday, when reporters asked about his status for next season, Harvick replied, "I'm checking things out and really just trying to see how it all goes. We'll race to the end of the year and see what happens." The recent infantile behavior by Harvick is not unlike Owens' posturing while waiting for the Eagles to renegotiate his contract that calls for a $3.25 million salary for this season. After GM Goodwrench opted not to renew its sponsorship of the truck team Harvick owns, the door was open for him to pursue options with other manufacturers. Don't be surprised to see Harvick driving the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Toyota in 2007. (Yahoo!/Lee Spencer)
Aug 27, 2005
Harvick puts pressure on: Add Kevin Harvick’s name to the list of possible free-agent drivers as ‘silly season’ comes to a head. In June, Harvick angrily lambasted reports that he would leave Richard Childress Racing when his current contract expires at the end of this season and said he was committed long-term to the team. “I haven't gotten calls from anybody because I'm not available,” Harvick said two months ago at Pocono. “It's dreamed up. Richard and I are working on a lot of things to go forward in the future, and there's not any other home that's going to come available for myself.” Harvick changed his tune radically at Bristol, saying he’s putting pressure on Childress to improve the team and could leave next year if his things don’t go the way he wants. (SPEED)
Aug 15, 2005
Harvick waiting to reup with Childress: Childress could be worried that Kevin Harvick, one of his three drivers, might be next on the hit list of a rival car owner. Harvick, the winner at Bristol, is one of the biggest-name drivers who is not signed up for 2007. Harvick says his contract with Childress is up at the end of the 2006 season - the same as Busch and Jamie McMurray. Harvick says he wants to see some improvements in the Childress camp before he resumes contract renegotiations with Childress. Harvick has General Motors ties through Childress and through his own Busch and Truck programs, and those GM sponsorships are also at stake. "Richard and I have a deal and I will fulfill that, and hopefully into the future, so there's no point in talking about doing anything different, because this is what I'm doing," Harvick said. (Salem-Journal)
July 30, 2005
Fans vote Harvick and Herb Thomas into Talladega Walk of Fame: This year's votes have been cast and tallied to determine who will be enshrined in the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame during the UAW-Ford 500 Event Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. The 2005 inductees will be Kevin Harvick in the active driver category and Herb Thomas in the inactive driver category. The 2005 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Davey Allison Memorial Park in uptown Talladega, a block south of the town square. This year's induction ceremony begins at 7 p.m. and will be emceed by Benny Parsons. Admission to the event is free to the general public, and race fans in town for the Sunday, Oct. 2 UAW-Ford 500 are encouraged to attend. This year's nominees in the active category were Rusty Wallace, Terry Labonte, Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Sterling Marlin, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Ken Schrader, Morgan Shepherd, Michael Waltrip, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemechek, Robby Gordon, Elliott Salder and Greg Biffle. In the inactive category, the nominees were Herb Thomas, Rex White, Jim Paschal, Jack Smith, Speedy Thompson and Bill Rexford. Drivers inducted through the "active" category in past years include Kyle Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon, Ernie Irvan, Bobby Hamilton, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin and Ricky Rudd. Drivers inducted through the "inactive" category include Fonty Flock, Buck Baker, Buddy Baker, Red Byron, Tim Flock, Harry Gant, Bobby Isaac, Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson, Alan Kulwicki, Fred Lorenzen, Benny Parsons, David Pearson, Lee Petty, Richard Petty, Fireball Roberts, Joe Weatherly and Cale Yarborough. In 1994, a degree by the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame Board of Directors inducted Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Red Farmer and Davey Allison as the Walk's initial honorees. Darrell Waltrip was inducted by board decree in 2000. Fans may learn more about the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame by visiting www.talladegawalk.com. (Talladega Walk PR)
July 25, 2005
Harvick Partnership with RCR? Start cup team in 07? Even though Harvick has strongly expressed the desire to someday run his own Nextel Cup team, it appears he's happy remaining under the RCR banner for the foreseeable future. Plus, Harvick already is a team owner with a strong Busch Series effort. Being just 29, Harvick can afford to put his Cup ownership dreams on hold for a few more years. But don't be surprised to see Harvick announce – possibly before the end of the season – a partnership with Childress that will bring their two organizations closer together over the years, much the same way Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick have structured their relationship. (Yahoo! Sports) Harvick's contract with Childress Racing expires after the 2006 season.
All Childress teams will return: Childress said his three teams will return intact next season: "We're pretty much set on everything right now." All three drivers, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick and Dave Blaney, will be back with their current crew chiefs, Kevin Hamlin, Todd Berrier and Philippe Lopez? "Yes, as far as I know," Childress said. But he wants all three teams to step it up: "We've made huge changes in our engine shop, and in our bodies and chassis, and our number one goal is to get our three teams back winning. "And we've got a lot of angles we've been working on. We've been testing somewhere every week." Yates third team not likely till '07? Yates' proposed third team may be postponed until 2007, according to team sources. (Salem-Journal)
July 14, 2005
Vote the Goodwrench 2006 paint scheme: GM Goodwrench, has announced that for the first time in our history of NASCAR involvement, fans will have the opportunity to pick the standard paint scheme for the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season. “On behalf of all our GM Goodwrench dealers across the country, who provide expert vehicle service and parts to their customers and fans alike, we wanted to give something back to them for all their support during our 20 years with Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR,” stated Sue Christophersen, Manager Event Marketing with GMSPO. “In appreciation of their loyalty, we want to give our fans a chance to vote on which No. 29 GM Goodwrench standard paint scheme they want to see in 2006.” NASCAR and GM Goodwrench fans will be able to log onto Goodwrench.com between July 15 and the end of August, to vote between two paint schemes - the current “Flame” design and the “20th Anniversary” design run in this year’s Daytona 500. The “Flame” design first made an appearance on the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo in 2003. It has been part of two wins (Brickyard 400 and Food City 500) with Kevin Harvick behind the wheel. The “20th Anniversary” layout combines several classic looks, from the Dale Earnhardt era to current. The front is from Harvick’s first No. 29 Chevy that ran at North Carolina Motor Speedway in 2001 and the back is representative of the black GM Goodwrench No. 3. “I can’t wait to see which GM Goodwrench paint scheme the fans pick,” said Harvick. “We have had a lot of a big wins in the current car but the car we ran at Daytona Beach (Fla.) brings together the entire history of GM Goodwrench. It makes for a tough choice.” “Rarely do the fans get a chance to have this much say in what the paint scheme looks like for the coming season,” added Harvick. “I hope they get online to vote. It’s all in their hands. You can’t complain that your car didn’t win unless you log onto Goodwrench.com and vote!” The winning No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo paint scheme will be announced in October. (GM Goodwrench PR)
July 8, 2005
Childress reorganizes Engine Department: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) continues to make personnel moves to improve its championship-winning engine department. Engine shop manager Spenny Clendenen, an RCR employee since 1985 and head engine builder from 1995 to 1997, has been named to the position of general manager in charge of the department’s business and administrative responsibilities. He will also be the focal point for RCR’s customer engine program, which furnishes engines for Kevin Harvick, Inc. (Busch and Truck), PPI Motorsports (NEXTEL Cup) and Morgan-Dollar Motorsports (Truck). Rick Mann has been named chief engine builder and will oversee all competition-related responsibilities. He brings 17 years of NASCAR engine building experience and nearly 30 years of overall engine building experience to his new position. Assistant engine shop manager Danny Lawrence, an RCR employee since 1985 and head engine builder from 1998 to 2001, has been named assistant chief engine builder. He will responsible for all at-track activities involving RCR’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team engine tuners and will assist Mann at the shop. (RCR PR)
June 12 2005
Harvick DENIES Report: Kevin Harvick, master of the angry smile, strongly denied Saturday a report that he was the top choice to replace retiring Rusty Wallace in Penske Motorsports's No. 2 car. The report had been made during the television broadcast of Friday night's Craftsman Truck race at Texas. "I think Ray [reporter Ray Dunlap] will be thoroughly embarrassed in the next couple months when everything we've been working on [is announced]," Harvick said to a summoned group of reporters Saturday noon at Pocono. "I've got another year on my contract with RCR and a couple more with Chevrolet. I think if the facts had been checked on and not just dreamt up over a couple of beers, they'd have had a much better broadcast on Speed Channel last night." (SPEEDTV)
April 4, 2005
Harvick's Crew Chief Miller wins WFPALL Award: Nothing was going to deny Kevin Harvick a trip to victory lane this weekend. With Scott Miller filling in as crew chief, Harvick went from worst to first in the Food City 500, collecting his first win in over fifty races. Miller’s spectacular day earned him the WYPALL® Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. Miller led Harvick from the back of the pack not once, but twice. On the morning of the race, the #29 Goodwrench crew found a leak in the power steering system and replaced a faulty pump. For making a change to the car after it had been impounded, Harvick was sent to the back of the field for the start of the race. On top of that, Harvick had to come in for an unscheduled pit stop after two of his lug nuts were left untightened, once again sending him to the tail end of the lead lap. Despite the setbacks, Miller stuck with his game plan and inched Harvick back into the lead. He had fresh tires and that's what he needed to take the lead and pull away." The panel of voters selecting the Crew Chief of the Race; including Robert Daski of the Lynchburg Daily News, a WYPALL Wipers representative and Tony Eury Sr.; all thought Miller was the standout crew chief. Miller was awarded $1,000 for taking home Crew Chief of the Race honors. He is now tied with Bob Osborne, Alan Gustafson, Pete Rondeau and Doug Richert in the point standings for the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Year. At the end of the season, the crew chief with the most weekly wins will receive $20,000. For more information, visit www.wypall.com
April 3, 2005
Kevin Harvick wins Food City 500: Down but not out, Kevin Harvick pulled his team out from an embarrassing cheating scandal by taking Richard Childress Racing back to Victory Lane. Harvick scored his first victory since 2003 on Sunday, winning the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway despite a stack of obstacles against him. His crew chief, Todd Berrier, was stuck at home serving a four-race suspension for cheating last month in Las Vegas. His car owner, Childress, spent most of the weekend complaining about the penalties against his team and driver. And when the crew uncovered the No. 29 Chevrolet hours before the race, they found a puddle of leaking power steering fluid. The team had to fix it, and the unapproved repairs forced them to start last in the 43-car field. (ABC NEWS) (Points) (Results)
April 2, 2005
Childress on the #29 box at Bristol: #29 team owner, Richard Childress is reasserting himself to the team. He will be on Kevin Harvick's pit box tomorrow for the Food City 500, helping interim crew chief Scott Miller, the first time Childress has been on a pit box for a race since the 2001 season.(Richmond Times Dispatch)
March 31, 2005
Harvick on TODAY: Kevin Harvick's No. 21 Reese's Busch Series pit crew was featured Wednesday on NBC's Today show, and quickly proved that although anonymous, they have plenty of personality themselves. Their comic routine included "pit stops" involving spit-shining host Matt Lauer's shoes, preparing fill-in host Ann Curry's hair, using a pole to send drinks to the hosts during a break, and helping Lauer get through a restroom break in record time. He declined their offer to help him in the stall. Harvick made a cameo at the end to drive Lauer away. (MSNBC)
March 30, 2005
Commission Upholds Berrier Penalty: Todd Berrier's appeal of his four-race suspension has been denied by the National Stock Car Racing Commission, ThatsRacin.com has learned. A three-member panel of the commission met Tuesday at NASCAR's research and development center in Concord, N.C., to hear Berrier's appeal. NASCAR fined Berrier, crew chief for Nextel Cup driver Kevin Harvick, $25,000, docked Harvick and car owner Richard Childress 25 points apiece and suspended Berrier for four races. Berrier altered the fuel cell of Harvick's No. 29 Chevy prior to qualifying at Las Vegas to make it appear full, when in fact it wasn't. Berrier sat out the March 20 race at Atlanta in hopes his suspension would at least be reduced by the commission to two races. However, Berrier and his team were informed the commission upheld the entire penalty, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday night. A formal announcement of the commission's decision is expected later Wednesday. Berrier is not eligible to return until the April 23 race at Phoenix. (ThatsRacin)
March 17, 2005
Berrier to Serve First Week: Kevin Harvick's crew chief will begin serving his four-race suspension this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the team said Thursday. Todd Berrier was suspended this week for illegally rigging Harvick's fuel tank to appear full when it actually wasn't during qualifying at Las Vegas. Berrier was suspended for four races, fined $25,000 and Harvick was docked 25 points. Richard Childress Racing is appealing the points deduction, and trying to have the suspension shortened. But the team owner doubted Berrier would be able to have the entire suspension lifted, so Berrier will begin it this weekend because Harvick has a proven track record at Atlanta. He won his first career race there in 2001, his second event after replacing the late Dale Earnhardt. Scott Miller, chief engineer at RCR, will replace Berrier this weekend. (ABC NEWS)
March 16, 2005
RCR to Appeal Suspension: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) will appeal the fine and suspension NASCAR handed down today to one of its NEXTEL Cup Series teams as a result of a rules infraction last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “I understand NASCAR’s reasons for imposing a penalty,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “However, I think the penalty they have given us is out of line so we have decided to appeal their ruling.” (RCR PR)
March 14, 2005
Big Penalty Expected from NASCAR: Kevin Harvick's crew chief, Todd Berrier, and the Richard Childress team face NASCAR penalties this week for trying to slip something through inspection Friday, and the hit could be big. Berrier didn't fill Harvick's car full of fuel, 22 gallons, for qualifying and got caught. For that, according to sources, NASCAR is considering a stiff penalty, perhaps as much as 100 points and a $50,000 fine. "Whatever it is, it is," Berrier said. "With 10 races to go (in September) we'll all be even again. (Salem Journal)
March 12, 2005
Harvick Time Disallowed: Kevin Harvick became the first driver penalized under a new rule that states that teams must qualify with a full tank of gas. The new rule prevents teams from employing the old practice of using just a few gallons to qualify. The rule was stamped on official race entry blanks for the 2005 season. Harvick qualified fourth on Friday at Las Vegas, but his time was nullified after NASCAR officials found his car to hold just 18 gallons of gas -- short of the 22 required. NASCAR checks the fuel cell both before and after qualifying. (NASCAR)
March 2, 2005
Harvick to miss Mexico City Busch Race? Kevin Harvick, scheduled to drive in this weekend’s Busch Series race in Mexico City, is still sore from his crash during the Gatorade Duels at Daytona. Harvick has played in pain the past two weeks, but his bruised ribs could preclude him from driving on the Mexican road course. If so, Brandon Miller will replace him. “My ribs and chest are still really sore from my crash in Daytona, and I am not sure if I can shift the car through the turns in the road course,” admitted Harvick. “If I cannot run this weekend, Brandon Miller will take over.” If Harvick is unable to drive this weekend in Mexico, it will mark the first race he has missed due to injury. This would be very disappointing for Harvick and crew chief Rick Viers, since they felt he they had a great chance in winning the inaugural Busch Series race in Mexico City. (SPEED)
Feb. 19, 2005
Harvick Works Martins Crew Again: Hours of hard labor got Mark Martin's car back in shape to race in the Daytona 500. Then Kevin Harvick smacked the side of it during Saturday's final practice and it was back to work again. "I don't know what his problem is," crew chief Pat Tryson said as he pointed out the fresh paint scrapes on the right front fender. "But we'll get it fixed. We're probably at 90 percent right now, we've got some more work to do and we'll be ready for tomorrow." Martin believed he had a solid shot to win the Daytona 500 on Sunday, his final chance before he retires from full-time competition at the end of the year. But the No. 6 Ford was damaged in Thursday's qualifying race in a wreck that Harvick caused. (TimesLeader)
Feb. 17, 2005
NASCAR Threatens to Bench Harvick and Johnson: The year-long on-track feud between Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick officially came to a head Thursday, and NASCAR made it clear that they've officially had enough. No penalties were levied for the multicar accident that took out Johnson, Harvick, Mark Martin, Joe Nemechek and Rusty Wallace, and also involved Scott Riggs and Dave Blaney. But the drivers, crew chiefs and team owners were summoned to the NASCAR transporter for a stern talking-to from president Mike Helton. NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said that if Johnson and Harvick don't resolve their differences immediately, they could be spectators for an upcoming event. "If they get into it again, there could be some severe penalties -- like missing a race," Hunter said. Hunter said the drivers opted to meet privately Thursday evening, rather than have NASCAR involved in the process. (NASCAR)
Goodwrench Kicks off 20th year celebration: GM Goodwrench, a division of General Motors Service and Parts Operations (GMSPO), has announced plans for their 20th anniversary celebration of NASCAR sponsorship with Richard Childress Racing in 2005. “On behalf of our over 7,000 GM Goodwrench dealers across the country, we are very excited to be celebrating 20 years with RCR in NASCAR,” stated Beth Grotz, Marketing Director with GMSPO. “This is going to be a great opportunity for us to highlight the GM Goodwrench legacy and our relationship with RCR through a number of activities. It’s our way of saying thanks to not only our dealers, but the huge audience of GM Goodwrench race fans.” The celebration kicks off in Sunday’s Daytona 500 with the first of four special paint schemes. Announced last year at Kansas Speedway, GM Goodwrench driver Kevin Harvick will pilot a multi-colored No. 29 Monte Carlo that combines the different looks the longest running primary sponsor has been a part of over the past two decades. Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway, a track that holds many memories for the GM Goodwrench family, will see the next special paint scheme in March. Unveiled earlier this year at Childress’ new winery in Welcome, N.C., this 2005 Chevrolet commemorates Harvick’s first Cup win in Atlanta in 2001, one that will surely resurrect emotions of that day.Two events will coincide with the May race weekends at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. First, fans watching the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge will see a recreation of one of the first special paint schemes when the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Silver Select Chevrolet hits the 1.5-mile high-banks. That next week, GM Goodwrench and RCR will host a Family Reunion at the RCR Museum, bringing together faces from the past and present that have helped keep the GM Goodwrench/RCR bond so strong. (Team PR)
