Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Kevin Harvick looking for fourth Phoenix Conquer

Old Photo: Harvick has had lots of success at Phoenix (Getty)
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet SS

This Week’s Jimmy John’s Chevrolet at Phoenix International Raceway … Kevin Harvick will pilot chassis No. 383 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the Phoenix 500. This is the same Chevrolet the Bakersfield, Calif., native drove to Victory Lane at Phoenix International Raceway last November.

Freaky Good at Phoenix … Sunday’s 312-lap event will mark Harvick’s 21st start at the one-mile tri-oval. Since 2001, the RCR veteran driver has collected three victories (both events in 2006 and November 2011), six top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. Harvick holds a 19th-place average starting position, coupled with a 12.8 average finishing position and has led 420 laps.

Growing Freaky Fast ...Jimmy John’s, known for fresh, quality products and freaky fast service, opened an additional 231 stores in 2012 and was recognized by the Nation’s restaurant News as the second Fastest Growing Chain in the U.S. The gourmet sandwich shop has several locations near the Avondale, Ariz.,-based track, including one less than three miles away, located at 10110 W. McDowell Rd. Visit www.jimmyjohns.com to view the full Jimmy John’s menu, find your nearest location and order online, or download the Jimmy John’s mobile application for additional Freaky Fast service.

2012 Race Rewind … Although Harvick led the most laps in the Sprint Cup Series event at PIR last March and mounted a charge in the closing circuits to take the victory, his No. 29 Chevrolet ran out of fuel coming to the white flag, leaving him to settle for the runner-up finish.

KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:

You’ve won races on both the old and new Phoenix International Raceway. What do you like about the new configuration that is different since the repave?
“They did a great job of taking all aspects of what to do to the race track to try and make it better. First off, they took in the fan’s sight, so they can see the whole race track. Second, they made a unique back straightaway to go through. The racing has been really good. The track has done a great job in preparing the race track, with rubber on the race track and keeping the track clean. Washing it off when it needs to be washed off and doing the things they need to do to prepare the race track to be right.”

You’re going back to Phoenix International Raceway after winning last November. Are you heading into this race weekend with more confidence than usual?

“I’ve been on both sides. Sometimes you go back after winning a race and you run terrible, other times you go back and run well. This year we have a new car and a lot of new things to deal with, you to have an open mind on how to approach the weekend. Obviously, running the NASCAR Nationwide Series race will help by providing a little extra track time, but Phoenix (International Raceway) was a good track for us last year. We finished first and second in the two races last season, so we’re going back expecting that we’ll run just as well.”

-- Richard Childress Racing

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