Harvick inks multi-year deal with RCR
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. Kevin Harvick (left) and team owner Richard Childress announce a contract extension on Friday at Richmond International Raceway. (Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Harvick drives RCR’s No. 29 GM Goodwrench/Reese’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and RCR’s No. 21 Coast Guard Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS in the NASCAR Busch Series. The Bakersfield, Calif., native began his tenure at RCR in 2000 driving the No. 2 ACDelco Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series, winning three races and rookie of the year honors. Stepping into the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series after the death of the legendary Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500, Harvick went on that season to earn two victories, a ninth-place finish in the point standings and rookie of the year honors. He also earned the Busch Series crown in 2001 and, in 2003, co-drove (with Johnny Sauter) RCR’s No. 21 PayDay Chevrolet to the Busch Series owner’s championship.
His 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."
05/05/06 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) sources said that the team has “reached a tentative agreement" on a multi-year contract extension to keep NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Kevin Harvick in the No. 29 Chevrolet. RCR has a news conference scheduled for today at Richmond Int’l Raceway. Toyota had been “among Harvick’s biggest pursuers" Charlotte Observer