Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Kevin Harvick makes final start for RCR at Homestead

Kevin Harvick to run final race for RCR on Sunday; he's 7/1 to win
Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet SS

Event Preview Fact Sheet

This Week’s Budweiser Chevrolet SS at Homestead-Miami Speedway
… Kevin Harvick will pilot chassis No. 438 from the Richard Childress Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stable in the Homestead 400. This is a new Chevrolet and will run its first competitive laps when it arrives at the 1.5-mile track.

Sunshine State Stats … Since 2001, Harvick has made 12 Sprint Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Throughout the years, the RCR driver has earned five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. Harvick holds an average starting position of 14.7 coupled with an average finishing position of 7.9, has completed 99.9 percent (3,208 of 3,209) of the laps contested and has 128 laps led to his credit.

Championship Hunt … Heading into the season-finale event at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Harvick sits third in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings, 34 markers behind leader Jimmie Johnson and six points out of second place.

Sign Here, Please … Harvick is scheduled to sign autographs on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. ET in the Homestead Midway. Any fan with a ticket to Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event can visit the Midway to participate in the autograph session.

Special Look … In celebration of his 14-years with RCR, Harvick will sport a custom designed helmet featuring memorable moments, achievements and milestones from his successful career with the organization.

Looking Back … Harvick will complete his 13th season of Sprint Cup Series racing at RCR following Sunday afternoon’s 267-lap event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Since his first series start at Rockingham Speedway in 2001, the California native has made 23 trips to Victory Lane, earned six pole awards, 100 top-five and 208 top-10 finishes in 465 starts.

Race Rewind … After starting the 267-lap affair from the 23rd position, Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser team drove to an eighth-place finish in the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season-finale event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:

Share your thoughts on racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“Homestead (Miami Speedway) has been a great race track for us, whether it was flat or banked. It’s been a race track where we’ve run well. It would be nice to close out my career at Richard Childress Racing with a win there and go out on the right note. RCR is where I got my start and it’s been a great career so far.”

Is it difficult to go to a track only once a year?
“It’s definitely different for the fact that it seems like the track changes so much more because we only go there once a year, not to mention the progression of the car is so different from year-to-year. Homestead has aged over the years because of the climate it’s in and has become a very challenging track to drive and figure out. It does create new challenges when you only go there once a year, because you don’t put as much focus on that specific track with testing and the things you should do to collect the needed data to put into the simulations to get the right starting point.”

Are you fatigued or excited when you finally get to Homestead-Miami Speedway?
“You’re pretty excited when you get to Homestead, because you know you’re going to get some time off. You’re obviously still working during the winter doing photoshoots and working with sponsors, but at least you get to come home and sleep in your own bed at night. It’s great to get month or so off, but I’m pretty excited for the last day of school.”

Is it bittersweet for you to close out this chapter of your career?
“I’m excited for what lies ahead. I’m extremely grateful for opportunity that Richard (Childress, team owner) gave me, and I’m proud of everything that we have accomplished throughout the years.”

- Richard Childress Racing

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