Jayski's® Silly Season Site

#29 Team Past News and Rumors

See my Dale Earnhardt Tribute Page for News and Links

NOTE:

2006 News

Neighbors not happy with RCR engine noise, RCR working on problem: Until a few months ago, racing the engines at the Richard Childress Racing [#'s 07,29,31,33 in Nextel Cup] garage in Welcome, NC was never a problem, according to residents. Then, the team cleared 10 acres of forest between its buildings and nearby neighborhoods for its expansion. Those trees served as a muffler for the noise. Now that they're gone, people say the noise is unbearable. Some neighbors said the noise rattles their windows. Monday night, the Davidson County Commissioners granted RCR a zoning request that green lights the expansion. While the neighbors were disappointed with the decision, RCR spokesman Bill Patterson said the racing team will plant cypress trees along the back property line to create a buffer. Patterson also said the team has spent $500,000 on reducing noise and will do more. Neighbors said they'd like to see a sound reduction wall.(wxii12.com)(12-12-2006)

Harvick wins at Phoenix: #29-Kevin Harvick won the Checkers Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway to sweep both Cup races there in 2006, his 5th win of 2006 and 10th of his career. Harvick led the most laps with 252 of 312. #48-Johnson finished 2nd [for the 3rd race in a row] to increase his points lead over #17-Kenseth to by 63 points. If Johnson finishes 12th or better at Homestead-Miami he will win the 2006 Nextel Cup Championship. The rest of the top-10 were #11-Hamlin, #24-Gordon, #99-Edwards, #6-Martin, #9-Kahne, #2-Busch, #8-Earnhardt Jr. and #31-Burton. Only two Chasers out of the top-10: #17-Kenseth 13th and #5-Busch 38th after getting involved in a late race crash. There were 10 cautions for 58 laps [a ~9 minute red flag during the last caution] and 7 drivers lead the race with 12 lead changes.
Race Results on my Phoenix Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Phoenix page
Race Rundown: see my Phoenix Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race penalties, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(11-12-2006)

Harvick Victory at Phoenix Awards 29 Lucky Race Fans an All-New 2007 Chevy Avalanche: #29-GM Goodwrench driver Kevin Harvick powered to victory in the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway to complete the #29 Goodwrench Expertise Challenge and award 29 lucky Expertise Challenge grand prize winners with an all-new 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche. With the win at Phoenix and a victory at Richmond International Raceway in September, Harvick and the GM Goodwrench team successfully completed the #29 Goodwrench Expertise Challenge, a unique promotion designed by GM Service and Parts Operations (GMSPO) to award a total of 29 lucky fans with an all-new 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche, a $1,000 GM vehicle maintenance certificate from Goodwrench and a trunk full of Reese's products, if Harvick won 2 of 12 selected Nextel Cup races. As part of the Expertise Challenge promotion, GM Goodwrench also will establish a $200,000 scholarship fund to provide tuition assistance to AYES high school students who choose to continue their automotive technical education by attending GM ASEP colleges. Beginning in May, the Expertise Challenge promotion offered GM customers and race fans the chance to win a variety of prizes, including an all-new 2007 Avalanche, by visiting a Chevrolet dealership or a Chevy display at select NASCAR events to obtain a ticket with an official promotion code. They also could visit goodwrench.com/expert to obtain a promotion code and complete the registration process.(GMSPO PR)(11-14-2006)

Cookies Scheme for Harvick at Phoenix: Kevin Harvick will get behind the wheel of the #29 Reese’s Milk Chocolate Layered Cookies Chevy. Reese’s Milk Chocolate Layered Cookies have the candy taste you love with a big cookie crunch.(RCR PR)(11-9-2006)

#10 crew member/Harvick scuffle UPDATE 3: reported on Speed Channel's SPEED Report by Bob Dillner, per FoxSports.com: Emotions definitely flowed over to the postrace activities as the guys walked to the garage area. After the Dickies 500, the #10 and the #29 teams were coming down the entrance way to the garage area where all of the teams bring their pit boxes. There was an altercation between the #10 team and Kevin and DeLana Harvick. Apparently, Kevin and DeLana both got knocked down. NASCAR's Jim Hunter told me they are investigating the situation wholeheartedly and expects that there will be fined and penalties either Tuesday or Wednesday. "After the fact, right out of the moment, everybody's pretty hot-headed (and) got to running their mouth a little bit," Richard Childress Racing Director Mike Dillion said. "That's about all it was. Somebody got shoved, and they're sorting it out now. But they shoved Kevin and his wife down in front of the pit box is what was bad. Everybody out here has done it in their racing career at some point in time. It's just unfortunate. The guys need to let the drivers handle it. One of the NASCAR officials got hurt trying to stop the box," Dillion continued. "That's pretty bad, too. Hurt his ankle so they took him to the infield care center." A lot of people were called to the NASCAR trailer after this race, including Rodney Childers, the crew chief for Scott Riggs and the #10 team. He's responsible for the actions of everybody. DeLana and Kevin Harvick were both brought in as well. Several eyewitnesses were brought in. In fact, Roger Penske was up there talking to NASCAR President Mike Helton and Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby and everybody that was looking at the incident.(11-5-2006)
UPDATE: been told the #10 Crew Member has been suspended for the rest of the season.(11-7-2006)
UPDATE 2: Sirius Speedway has learned that NASCAR will announce later today that it has indefinitely suspended Craig "C.C." Curione, the front tire carrier for Scott Riggs' #10 Dodge, for his role in a postrace altercation Sunday night at Texas Motor Speedway. Curione was identified as the member of Riggs' Evernham Motorsports crew who shoved Kevin Harvick from behind while he and his wife, DeLana, were walking to the infield media center following the Dickies 500. The Harvicks and NASCAR official John Sacco all fell, landing in the path of the #10 team's war wagon, which hit Sacco and left him with a sprained ankle. The Harvicks were not hurt. Spokesman Kerry Tharp said earlier today, "NASCAR has been looking into this postrace incident since it occurred. It's something we take very seriously. An announcement regarding a course of action could come as early as Tuesday." A spokeswoman for Evernham Motorsports said the team has cooperated with NASCAR's investigation, and will have no comment until a final determination has been made.(Motorsports Soapbox)(11-7-2006)
OFFICIAL Penalty: NASCAR announced today that Craig Curione, a crew member for the #10 Dodge team, has been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR and fined $10,000 for a rule violation he committed following last Sunday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway. The action resulted from violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing; involved in an altercation with another Competitor) of the 2006 NASCAR Rule book.(NASCAR PR)(11-7-2006)
MORE: Statement from James Rocco – Valvoline Evernham Racing, Designated Team Owner: “After a comprehensive internal review of the post-race incident between Kevin Harvick and a member of the #10 team, Valvoline Evernham Racing supports NASCAR’s decision to indefinitely suspend the involved crew member. We apologize to Kevin and DeLana Harvick, NASCAR, our partners and our fans for this incident. The behavior demonstrated by the involved crew member was in violation of the Valvoline Evernham Racing Employee Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated. We concur with NASCAR’s ruling and will not appeal the suspension or fine.”(Evernham Motorsports/Clear!Blue PR)(11-7-2006)

Harvick to skip Memphis Busch Race? There may be a slim chance newly crowned Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick will skip the October 28th race at Memphis. Harvick and the US Coast Guard Chevy team locked up the title this past weekend at Charlotte. "I haven't even looked at the schedule yet" said Harvick during a break at the Homestead-Miami Speedway test. "I don't foresee that happening. We didn't plan to do anything but racing there at the beginning of the year anyway. We'll sit down and look at it for sure after Martinsville and go from there."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(10-17-2006)

Sponsor change on the #29? UPDATE 4 Shell/Pennzoil to be sponsor: hearing that GM Goodwrench will not return as the primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick's #29 RCR Chevy in 2007, supposedly Reese's/Hershey's will return as a co-sponsor and a gasoline and lubricant supplier would be the other co-primary.(9-16-2006)
UPDATE: During the PRN's "Fast Talk with Benny Parsons" radio show Monday night car owner Richard Childress commented briefly on rumors that GM Goodwrench would not be back to sponsor Kevin Harvick's Chevy in 2007. "There's always rumors out there swinging around. We're talking about 'em right now...we're looking at what we're going to do next year and right now our plans are Goodwrench and Hershey for next year but who knows what can happen in the sport...things change."(PRN's "Fast Talk with Benny Parsons" radio show)(9-19-2006)
UPDATE 2: hearing the new co-primary sponsor for the #29 RCR Chevy will be Shell Oil, no idea how many races. Hershey's/Reese's will return in 2007, supposedly in a simliar number of races as 2006.(10-5-2006)
UPDATE 3: RCR is scheduled to make some sort of annoucement at Talladega regarding some 2007 plans, not sure if the Shell announcement will be made. Also the Shell site has a link to a shell announcement webcast.(10-6-2006)
UPDATE 4: UPDATE 4: it was announced on Saturday, Oct 7th at Talladega Superspeedway that Shell/Pennzoil will sponsor the #29 RCR Chevy in 2007 for a unspecified number of races, Hershey's will still sponsor some races and GM Goodwrench will be aboard as a sponsor for a couple of races. The 2007 car was unveiled using the Car of Tomorrow painted in Shell/Pennzoil colors, mostly yellow with a white roof, the word Pennzoil and the Shell logo on the hood, Shell and the Shell logo on the quarter panels.
PRESS RELEASE: Shell Oil Company announced the brand's return to NASCAR today through a multi-year primary sponsorship of Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Through the sponsorship both Shell and Pennzoil brands will be featured on the #29 Chevy to be driven by Kevin Harvick in the 2007 Nextel Cup series. Shell will also be the associate sponsor on other RCR cars including the #31 Cup car driven by Jeff Burton and the #07 Cup car driven by Clint Bowyer. "We're proud to have Shell come on-board as the primary sponsor of RCR's #29 team with Kevin Harvick," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Shell has a long history in motorsports throughout the world and we look forward to adding to that winning tradition. We're fortunate to once again have a sponsor for the #29 team that is committed to supporting its racing program in a lot of exciting ways. We're also proud to be continuing our relationship with GM Goodwrench and the winning tradition we've had together for more than two decades."
The company's technological leadership and its innovative products have helped position Shell as the "preferred partner" both on and off the track for some of the auto industry's top companies including General Motors (GM), Ferrari and Audi. The new alliance with Richard Childress Racing and Kevin Harvick bring together the market share leader in fuels and lubricants with a #1 team, which makes a formidable combination. "Our plan with RCR and Kevin Harvick is pretty simple; have fun with our employees, wholesalers, retailers, distributors and customers through a sport we all love," said John Hofmeister, president, Shell Oil Company. "It's also about aligning the leading fuels and lubricants brands with a winner on the track so we can create innovative marketing platforms and products that drive business. NASCAR fans and Shell customers are one in the same, and rejoining Shell with the NASCAR family is the next logical step in our global motorsports platform."
Shell lubricant brands, Pennzoil, Quaker State and ROTELLA T, have all been collectively active in NASCAR for several decades. Additionally, Pennzoil has maintained a variety of sponsorships and technical partnerships with DEI and Roush Racing, while Quaker State has been with Hendrick Motorsports since 1995. This season, ROTELLA T and Morgan Dollar Racing with Dennis Setzer are partners in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. GM Goodwrench, currently the primary sponsor of Harvick's #29 car, will also continue to support RCR racing and Kevin Harvick as an associate sponsor. "We're pleased that GM Goodwrench will continue to have a presence on the car," added Hofmeister. "To be associated with a sponsor with a strong history in motorsports is really the icing on the cake. This new relationship on the track will complement the many programs we have with General Motors off the track. We're working together to make hydrogen available to consumers through a local Shell station in Washington, D.C; in Chicago we have a joint test pilot to gauge consumer interest in E85, and we provide supply for some of GM's lubricants needs." While no immediate plans were shared with regard to the company's marketing efforts in NASCAR, Shell officials said more news will be forthcoming on activations plans surrounding Richard Childress Racing and the #29 Shell car. For more information about Shell, visit www.shell.com.(RCR PR)(10-7-2006)

DeLana Harvick honored: DeLana Harvick, wife of Nextel Cup driver #29-Kevin Harvick, was honored by the Hershey Co. on Saturday morning. Harvick was chosen as a “Sensational Woman” by the company for her efforts in helping the first against breast cancer. Today marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She was the first of four women to receive the honor from the chocolate company. Harvick, who lost her father to cancer last year, had $5,000 donated in her honor by Hershey. “It’s important that people get behind this all year long,” Harvick said. “It’s more than just a one-month-a-year cause.”(Kansas City Star/GM Racing PR)(10-1-2006)

Hershey Honoring Delana Harvick at Kansas: The Hershey Company and Young Survival Coalition will be honoring DeLana Harvick, this Saturday at 11:0am at the Sprint Fan Walk Stage. DeLana will be recognized as one of four “Sensational Women” on behalf of The Hershey’s Company and YSC. YSC is the only international, non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer. Limited edition pinkYork peppermint patties, Hershey’s Kisses and Hershey’s Nuggets will hit the shelves this Fall to raise breast cancer awareness across the country. The Hershey Company is also supporting the campaign by contributing $250,000 to the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), the only non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to addressing the concerns and issues unique to young women and breast cancer. The donation doubles Hershey’s 2005 financial contribution and will be supported by the York peppermint pattie, Hershey’s Kisses and Hershey’s Nuggets brands.(RCR PR)(9-27-2006)

RCR Forms Partnership with Metris: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is investing in a multi-million dollar partnership with Metris to utilize the Belgium-based company’s integrated metrology solutions for use in the production of the nine-time NASCAR champion racing organization’s engines and race cars. Metris, with U.S. operations in Detroit, California and Virginia, will supply RCR with proven high-technology metrology systems, both contact and optical, and the expertise to improve the aerodynamics and boost the performance of its engines. The partnership is another strategic move in RCR’s continuing bid to boost the performance of its cars with winning technology. “We’re partnering with Metris because of its impressive range of advanced metrology products,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “We’re confident that the expertise its engineers have demonstrated will help us to push the performance of our race cars to the next level. The technology involved in NASCAR today continues to grow and RCR’s partnership with Metris will put us on the cutting edge in both the engine and fabrication shops.” Metris provides integrated solutions for automotive and aerospace metrology. The portfolio comprises Coordinate-Measuring Machines (CMM), Optical CMM, 3D Laser Scanners, Laser Radar and iGPS systems along with Focus, the leading inspection and reverse engineering software. “Having Metris’ equipment on-site at RCR will help facilitate our engine and body fabrication sides of the business,” said Bobby Hutchens, RCR’s vice president of research and development. “On the fab side, it will provide us with the technology to more precisely duplicate our bodies and, on the engine side, will ensure that both the parts we purchase from outside sources as well as those produced by RCR’s Okuma Technology Center meet our current specifications.” More info about Metris at www.metris.com. (RCR PR)(9-22-2006)

Ex-employee's lawsuit claims improprieties in engine shop at RCR UPDATE Statement by Childress: .A lawsuit filed by a former Richard Childress Racing employee includes specific allegations that engines the team used in events at 2006 Speedweeks at Daytona were designed to defeat NASCAR rules. The team denies the allegations. Anthony Corrente, who lost his job as assistant manager for engine research and development for RCR earlier this year, filed his suit Wednesday in Mecklenburg County superior court. It alleges wrongful termination, defamation and breach of contract against the team, which fields Nextel Cup cars for #29-Kevin Harvick, #31-Jeff Burton and #07-Clint Bowyer. Corrente said he inspected an engine from Harvick’s #29 Chevy after the Budweiser Shootout and found it had been altered to allow more air to enter, which would be contrary to the purpose of carburetor restrictor plates used at the Daytona track. “Inserts were placed in the four outside corners of the cylinder head where the manifold is attached,” the lawsuit says. When tightened, the bottom of the bolts hit these inserts, leaving room for air to get in between the intake manifold and the cylinder head. Such air would get to the engine beneath the restrictor plate, which is designed specifically to limit the flow of air. More air means more power, at least in theory. The suit also says that Burton won the pole for this year’s Daytona 500 with another engine that had the same modifications. Burton’s engine passed NASCAR inspection following the qualifying session. David Hart, a spokesman for Richard Childress Racing, said Thursday that Corrente’s allegations are untrue. “We will deal with them in the courts,” Hart said. Corrente left Joe Gibbs Racing in July 2005, signing a three-year contract with a two-year renewal option at RCR. He said he was fired after a conversation with Harvick in May during a test at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, where Harvick’s team had tested an engine built to Corrente’s specifications that differed from what the team had been doing. See full story by David Poole at ThatsRacin.(9-21-2006)
UPDATE Statement by Richard Childress: The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), regarding allegations made in a lawsuit filed by a former employee: "The allegations made about RCR in a lawsuit filed by a disgruntled former employee are absolutely untrue. Specifically, our cars passed NASCAR inspection both before and after qualifying for the 2006 Daytona 500. Additional allegations made are also untrue. We will make no further comments until after the issue is resolved in a court of law."(RCR PR)(9-22-2006)

More on the Speed Channel/RCR Wheels Report: per NASCAR Live with Eli Gold, Kevin Harvick comments, "We have an inspection process that happens every week. The ironic part about it is that our wheels are taken to the racetrack by a wheel company every week. Really, the only thing you can touch is the valve stem. And the report was, that, you know, I don't even know, laser cut holes in the wheels. So, there's really no possible way that you could even wind up knowing what corner that the wheels are going to be mounted on, because the tires are already mounted when you get to the race track. If somebody would have just done their homework for thirty seconds or a couple of minutes and just figured out exactly what they were doing, they would have realized they would have realized that it's virtually impossible to do what they reported. So, it's just unfortunate that we've spent the whole week talking about Bob Dillner instead of talking about our win, and that's unfortunate for the Speed Channel that they are where they are in their journalism state of reporters."(MRN Radio)(9-21-2006)

Coast Guard will not return to RCR #21 Busch car in 2007: The United States Coast Guard will not return in 2007 as the primary sponsor of Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) #21 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series. Budget restructuring allocated the proposed funding for the team sponsorship to other areas of the Coast Guard. “It’s been an honor for RCR to have the Coast Guard sponsor the #21 team Busch team this season,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO. “We have been fortunate to spend some time with the brave men and women of the Coast Guard who are serving their country by keeping its maritime borders safe. While we hoped they would return in 2007, we understand the Coast Guard’s decision and will do all we can to win them the NASCAR Busch Series championship.” Team Coast Guard, with drivers Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton, currently leads the Busch Series point standings with seven wins (six with Harvick; one with Burton), and 19 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes in 28 races. Harvick has a 619-point lead in the driver standings with seven races remaining and is on track to have the largest season-ending point margin in series history. “Richard Childress Racing has been a terrific partner. They have represented the Coast Guard extremely well both on and off the track, with numerous promotional events and an unprecedented level of success in the Busch Series this year,” said Adm. Thad W. Allen, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, “We thank Richard, Kevin and Jeff for all they’ve done to raise the awareness of the Coast Guard with the legions of NASCAR fans everywhere. I congratulate the entire organization for what has truly been an unforgettable year.”(RCR PR)(9-20-2006)

Issue with #29 and #31 cars after race at NHIS UPDATE's NASCAR denies; RCR & Speed's statements: FoxSports/Speed's Bob Dilner reports: have learned that there was an issue with the winning car of #29-Kevin Harvick and also his teammate, #31-Jeff Burton, in postrace tech [at New Hampshire Intl Speedway in the Cup race]. That issue surrounded the actual [wheel] rim of the race car. The team apparently manipulated that rim to act as a bleeder valve to release air pressure from that rim. In English, it was performance advantage for the RCR team. Now, it was not against anything in the rule book so there won't be any fines or points penalties later on this week, but they have been told not to do it again.(more at FoxSports)(9-18-2006)
UPDATE: Race winner Kevin Harvick and his teammate, Jeff Burton, did not have any problems in post race tech Sunday night at Loudon. Late Sunday night, it was reported that the Richard Childress Racing teams had manipulated their rims to act as a bleeder valve to release air pressure from the rim. According to NASCAR however, the issue of the rims never surfaced during post race tech. “We’ve been checking valves and valve stems for about 4 months now,” said Jim Hunter Vice President of Corporate Communications for NASCAR said Monday. “What it was, was one reporter trying to make something that wasn’t there. Then another reporter went on TV and reported it as fact, when it was actually totally untrue. It was one reporter’s unsubstantiated fantasy,”(Cupscene.com)
AND The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), regarding allegations in the media after the Sept. 19 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at New Hampshire International Speedway that two of RCR's teams had manipulated the rules: "Reports in the media, specifically on SPEED TV, that one or more of our NEXTEL Cup Series teams was found by NASCAR to be manipulating the rules yesterday at New Hampshire International Speedway are false and misleading. Our cars passed post-race inspection and officials at NASCAR assured us last night and again today that no one from RCR was told at any time not to bring a part back to the race track. The reported events and conversations did not happen. Our focus remains on two of our teams competing for the championship and the other finishing as high in the points as possible.(RCR PR) SPEED statement: SPEED issues the following response to statements made by NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing regarding a story filed by SPEED reporter Bob Dillner during the Sept. 17 LIVE broadcast of The SPEED Report. "SPEED reporter Bob Dillner has a strong record of solid reporting from the NASCAR garage; so there is no rational reason for us to consider that the events and conversations he related to SPEED viewers are anything other than the truth," said Chris Long, SPEED Executive Producer for NASCAR programming.(SpeedTV.com) AND Kevin Harvick told Sirius Speedway that he believes a rival team was behind Sunday's SPEED TV report alleging that NASCAR had discovered issues with the team's right-front wheels. "I absolutely think it was a plant from another team," said Harvick. "NASCAR didn't say anything, so it's pretty obvious to me where it came from. It's an attempt to try and distract us from what we're doing, but they're going to have to do a lot better than that." Harvick said he knows who planted the story, but declined to name names. (Sirius Speedway/MRN Radio)(9-18-2006)
UPDATE 3: Car owner Richard Childress told Benny Parsons during Monday night’s PRN's “Fast Talk radio show" that a Speed Channel report that RCR manipulated a rim giving the 29 car a performance advantage at New Hampshire was not true. Childress said reporter Bob Dilner “Got some bad information and he talked about it before he knew all the facts." Childress fielded many phone calls from various sponsors about the story, but he did not chastise Dilner. “I’ve got to say something for Bob Dilner. He did not report that on purpose. He didn’t do it out of anything derogatory to RCR or Jeff or Kevin. Its part of you guys (the media) job sometimes…you report things and maybe you don’t get the whole story.” Meanwhile the incident brought back some fond memories to the long-time car owner who won six championships with Dale Earnhardt. “All it did was made me think back to the days when Dale and RCR was winning and running good. You know, nobody ever loses…if you’ve ever heard that story...it’s because somebody’s doing something wrong to win. So, naturally with Kevin’s performance the last few weeks and RCR’s performance this year, people are going to say things.”(PRN's "Fast Talk with Benny Parsons" radio show)(9-19-2006)

Peters to RCR? UPDATE: Dodge released Timothy Peters as driver of the Craftsman Series #4 truck, Bobby Hamilton Racing announced Tuesday. However, Peters shouldn’t be without a ride for long. After racing for two seasons with Bobby Hamilton Racing, Peters is expected to sign with Richard Childress Racing as early as this weekend in New Hampshire. Phone messages left with Richard Childress Racing were not immediately returned, and Peters said he couldn’t comment on his future. “I’m not at liberty to say anything,” he said. In 17 Truck Series races this season, Peters has one top-10 finish - placing sixth on June 23 at Milwaukee. He has three career top-10 finishes in 33 Truck Series starts, and is currently 19th in the points standings. “We brought Timothy Peters in as a rookie, and with some seat time under his belt he has proven to be a hot commodity,” team owner Bobby Hamilton said in a release. A potential deal with RCR would join Peters with Danville native Peyton Sellers, who is in RCR’s development program, and South Boston native Jeff Burton. For now the plan is to team back up with his Bailey’s South Boston team for the Bailey’s 300 late model race at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 1.(Danville Register Bee)(9-15-2006)
UPDATE: Richard Childress Racing has signed Timothy Peters as a driver for its 2007 NASCAR Busch Series program. Peters raced the past two seasons in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Bobby Hamilton Racing. A determination is forthcoming as to which of RCR’s Busch teams he will drive for. RCR is also scheduled to field a car for Peters in the Oct. 7 ARCA race at Talladega.(RCRRacing.com)(9-19-2006)

Harvick wins at Richmond; Stewart Misses Chase: #29-Kevin Harvick backed up his Busch Series win on Friday night by taking the win in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 on Saturday night. He led on 6 different occasions, for 54 laps. He took the lead for the final time on lap 399, passing #5-Kyle Busch, who dominiated most of the race, leading 248 laps. #9-Kasey Kahne raced his way into the Chase for the Championship with a third place finish. #22-Dave Blaney finshed fourth and #6-Mark Martin fifth. The rest of the top ten were #16-Greg Biffle, #21-Ken Schrader, #17-Matt Kenseth, #31-Jeff Burton, and #10-Scott Riggs. It was a tough night for many of the chase contenders. #20-Tony Stewart battled an ill-handling backup call all night, finishing 18th, and falling out of the top 10 in points by 16 points. He will not be able to defend last year's championship. #11-Denny Hamlin had engine problems but managed a 15th place finish. #8-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. had brake problems and finished 17th. #48-Jimmie Johnson was involved in 2 accidents but stayed on track and finished 23rd. #24-Jeff Gordon finish 31st, two laps down. There were 8 leaders with 16 lead changes and 7 cautions for 48 laps.
Race Results: on my Richmond Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings: on my Drivers/Owners Points after Richmond page
Race Rundown: see my Richmond Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown, laps lead, top 10, race penalties, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(9-9-2006)

Barenaked Ladies featured on the #29 at RIR: GM Goodwrench driver Kevin Harvick's #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet will sport a special paint scheme with the music group Barenaked Ladies at Richmond International Raceway for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 and the seventh #29 Goodwrench Expertise Challenge race Founded in 1988 by singer-guitarists Steven Page and Ed Robertson, the Toronto-based Barenaked Ladies includes Tyler Stewart, Jim Creegan and Kevin Hearn. The band has sold more than 14 million records worldwide, with hits such as "One Week," "Pinch Me" and "Brian Wilson." Along the way, they have developed a dedicated following and a reputation as one of North America's best-loved live acts [one of Jayski's fave].(RCR PR), see images of the scheme on the #29 Team Schemes page.(9-6-2006)

#200 for Harvick: #29-Kevin Harvick will make his 200th career Nextel Cup Series start this weekend during the running of the AMD at The Glen on Sunday, August 13th. Among active drivers to reach this feat, Harvick will be the 26th driver to do so behind Kurt Busch who has 204 career Nextel Cup Series starts.(RCR PR)(8-9-2006)

Hershey's scheme for Harvick at Daytona, to make S'Mores: The Hershey’s Milk Chocolate brown will don the #29 RCR Chevy hood of Kevin Harvick this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The Hershey Milk Chocolate bar is one of five special paint schemes The Hershey Company will run throughout the 2006 season. Hershey’s driver Kevin Harvick and members of the Richard Childress Racing Team will light up the infield on Thursday, June 29, at Daytona with a S’mores campfire event. Celebrating this quintessential summertime snack, Hershey’s will distribute more than 2,000 S’mores kits complete with graham crackers, marshmallows and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars to fans staying in the infield to celebrate race week at Daytona International Speedway. Randomly selected kits will contain invitations to join Harvick and the Team for “s’more” fun around the campfire. Local Boy Scout Troops will get the campfire started; while Smoky the Bear looks on to ensure a safe party in the Fan Zone.(RCR PR), see an image of the scheme on my #29 Team Schemes page.(6-28-2006)

Childress interested in Gilliland: [#07,#29,#31] team owner Richard Childress said Sunday [at Infineon Raceway] that he is among those interested in signing David Gilliland to a contract. Gilliland, currently driving without a contract for a part-time, unsponsored entry in the Busch Series, has seen his stock skyrocket since winning the June 17 Busch race at Kentucky, then getting a weak car into Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Sonoma. "He's probably the hottest young commodity out there today," said Childress, who currently fields three Cup cars and won six Cup championships with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. "There are several teams here that will be after him, but he'd definitely be a good fit for us." Childress noted that Gilliland's good character and family background (his father Butch was also a NASCAR driver) play into the 30-year-old's favor. Childress didn't shy away from expressing his interest in Gilliland, but said the driver might be better served to get more time in the Busch Series. Gilliland has just seven career Busch starts and made his Cup debut Sunday. "I think he has all it takes to become a Cup driver, I'll put it like that," Childress said. "I think he could win races in the Cup Series. I believe if I was him, I'd run a few more Busch races (first)."(Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)(6-26-2006)

Harvick & Bowyer skipping Happy Hour: #29-Kevin Harvick and #07-Clint Bowyer will skip Saturday morning's final 45-minute Nextel Cup practice session at Infineon Raceway to give them a little extra time to get to The Milwaukee Mile for the Busch Series race that night. The first practice for NASCAR's Cup teams ends at 10:15 a.m. Pacific - 12:15 p.m. in Milwaukee - and Harvick and Bowyer will leave after that. Four other drivers doing the double - #11-Denny Hamlin, #99-Carl Edwards, #18-J.J. Yeley and #5-Kyle Busch - all plan to stay for the final 45-minute session, which ends at 1:55pm/ct. All of the drivers have substitutes ready to practice and qualify: Harvick has Randy LaJoie, Bowyer has Brandon Miller, Hamlin has Aric Almirola, Yeley has Casey Atwood, Edwards has Hank Parker Jr. and Busch has Dennis Setzer.(SceneDaily.com)(6-24-2006)

RCR to Sponsor Local Soap Box Derby: Richard Childress will lend support to his racing roots June 3 at Hobby Park in Winston-Salem for the Winston-Salem Area Soap Box Derby presented by Richard Childress Racing. The winner of this All-American Soap Box Derby "local race" will advance to the 69th annual All-American Soap Box Derby presented by Levi Strauss Signature, July 22 in Akron, Ohio. Childress was a teenager in the late 1950s when he and his brother, Larry Childress, went door to door in downtown Winston-Salem soliciting shop owners for funding to purchase a soap box derby kit. Nearly 50 years later, the wheels and axles from that soap box derby racer are on display in the RCR Racing Museum on the RCR campus. For further information, visit the web site of the Winston-Salem Area Soap Box Derby at wsasbd.com.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(5-18-2006)

DeHart splits with Harvick: Gene DeHart, former Fabrication Manager/Director with Kevin Harvick Inc., has parted ways. He is currently in the final stages of re-establishing DeHart, Inc., which formerly was DeHart Racing Inc., where his expertise was hanging bodies and building Chassis for various Nextel Cup, Busch and Truck Teams.(5-13-2006)

Childress to Receive Honorary Degree: NASCAR Team Owner Richard Childress will be awarded an honorary degree from the board of trustees of Davidson County Community College (DCCC) during tonight's commencement ceremony on the school's campus in Lexington, NC. Childress' wife, Judy, will accept the award as he will be busy directing his NASCAR Busch Series teams' efforts in tonight's Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway. "I'm honored to receive this recognition from Davidson County Community College and I'm sorry I won't be there to accept it in person," said Childress, President and CEO of Richard Childress Racing (RCR). "Davidson County Community College provides its students with a great opportunity to continue their education and prepare for better jobs in the future. It's also an honor to be rewarded at the same time as my friend Bob Timberlake." Childress and Timberlake, a world renowned artist, are only the fourth and fifth community leaders to receive such recognition from DCCC.(Richard Childress Racing)(5-12-2006)

#29 Team Takes PIt Crew Honors at Richmond: 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 #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)(5-10-2006)

Why didn't Harvick pit at Richmond late in race? Kevin Harvick's #29 Chevy was so good out front during the Crown Royal 400 at Richmond International Raceway that crew chief Todd Berrier didn't want him to pit on lap 289 with Harvick leading the Nextel Cup race. While Harvick stayed out, the rest of the field pitted. Running on older tires, Harvick eventually lost the lead and was sixth when everyone pitted again under caution with about 50 laps remaining. Harvick, who led 272 laps of the race, wound up third. Berrier figured if Harvick pitted on lap 289, other drivers would stay out. "When you're leading the race, they're going to do the opposite of what you're going to do," Berrier said after the race. "That's kind of the way it works. ... I didn't want to come back and be 10th on the race track." If there were no cautions after the pit stops on lap 289, only Harvick would have had to pit. But Berrier was confident that everyone would pit again. "I knew everybody would [pit again]," Harvick said. "Not that they had to. I knew they would. And they did." Harvick's car got tighter over the final 100 laps. "We weren't aggressive enough [with changes]," Berrier said. "It's awful easy to play it a little bit different when you're chasing somebody instead of getting chased. It's just a bad position to be in." The crew chief obviously was disappointed. "We had a good car, but at the end of the day we didn't win the race," Berrier said. "It hurts."(SceneDaily.com)(5-8-2006)

RCR, Harvick Agree to Contract Extension: 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)(5-5-2006)

Harvick/Childress close to a deal UPDATE: Richard Childress and #29-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. Childress said he met with Harvick earlier this week and got most of the deal worked out.(Associated Press)(4-29-2006)
UPDATE: look for an announcement soon that Harvick has signed to stay with RCR thru 2009.(4-30-2006)
UPDATE 2: announcement could come as soon as Friday as RCR has a press conference scheduled at Richmond.
AND As Kevin Harvick and car owner Richard Childress continue their contract talks, teammate Jeff Burton hopes Harvick will stay at RCR. "I want Kevin to stay. Kevin is valuable to our effort. Obviously his talent speaks for itself. Kevin to me has proven to be a good teammate and I don't want Kevin to go anywhere." Burton says he hasn't been the middle of the discussions because "It's about what they want to do, it has nothing to do with what I want to do. I think Kevin's only hang up is...can we do as a company what we need to do to be successful and to compete for championships. It's nothing personal, it's all just about performance. Kevin is talented enough and good enough he deserves to have a chance at the very best equipment he can get his hands on because if he has it he can be highly successful. I can speak from experience...he won't go somewhere else and see a whole lot more than what he can see right here."(PRN's Garage Pas Radio Show)(5-3-2006)

Childress Vineyards Set to Release Racing Collection: Childress Vineyards is set to release its first collection of race-related wine sets celebrating the championship style of RCR Racing, one of NASCAR’s most winning franchises owned by Richard Childress. The Collector’s Edition sets will feature “Champion’s Blend” Meritage Red Wine individually boxed with two etched crystal Childress Vineyards logo wine glasses. Each of RCR’s car numbers, #29, #31, #21, and #2, will have its own label while a special bottling, called “Legendary,” is planned for the #3. The “Legendary” Limited Collector’s Edition will come in a boxed set along with two etched crystal wine glasses, featuring the number 3. Members of Childress Vineyards Fast Track Wine Club will have the first opportunity to order the Collector’s Edition boxed sets until April 30. Remaining supplies will go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 15 with a limit of 3 per person. The sets will be sold exclusively at the winery in Lexington, N.C. Each will retail for $99.99. Wine club members will receive a discount of 15%.(RCR)(5-3-2006)

4th RCR team,,,with Mears? denied: RCR team sources tell [Marty Smith - NASCAR.com] the organization would like to add a fourth team with [Casey] Mears [current driver of Ganassi's #42 Dodge] as driver, but RCR spokesman David Hart discounted the speculation Wednesday. "No decisions have been made to add a fourth team with Casey Mears or any other driver," Hart said.(NASCAR.com)(4-27-2006)

Berrier Wins WypAll Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: 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)(4-26-2006)

Reese's back on the #29: The #29 Reese’s Chevy that Kevin Harvick will drive is sporting Reese’s Caramel Cups once again this weekend in Talladega. Last time Reese’s Caramel Cups were on the #29 Chevy, Reese’s Caramel Cups is one of six special paint schemes Reese’s will run throughout the 2006 season. Harvick teamed up with 2004 IRL Champion and Hershey’s driver Tony Kanaan to film a commercial promoting the new Reese’s Caramel Cups. Race fans can see what is going on with the #29 Reese’s Racing team at www.reesesracing.com.(RCR PR)(4-26-2006)

Harvick wins at Phoenix: #29-Kevin Harvick won the Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, leading the final 10 laps [of 312], blowing by #16-Greg Biffle [who was saving fuel and eventually ran out, finishing 16th] on lap 303 to win his first race of 2006, first since Bristol last April and 6th career win. Harvick swept the Nextel Cup and Busch Series races at Phoenix. #20-Tony Stewart, who was to start 3rd, but had to start last due to a tire infraction [drivers qualifying in the top-10 must start the race on the tires they qualified with] finished 2nd, followed by #17-Kenseth, #99-Edwards and #07-Clint Bowyer [his first career top-5]. The rest of the top-10 were #9-Kasey Kahne, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #43-Bobby Labonte, #31-Jeff Burton and #24-Jeff Gordon. Only ten drivers finished on the lead lap with #6-Martin, #16-Biffle, #1-Truex Jr. among the lead lap cars who ran out of fuel. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. hung around the top-10 all day until a late accident [he admitted it was his fault] relegated Earnhardt to a 23rd finish, 2 laps down. #5-Kyle Busch, the pole sitter, sped entering pit road while leading early in the race, got sent to the end of the longest line. Busch then got into #42-Mears then spun and with another wreck behind them which caused a 9 minute red flag. Busch then rammed Mears car and headed to the garage for repairs and refused interview requests from FOX or MRN. When Busch's team fixed the car and he went back on the track, Busch was black flagged and penalized five laps for ramming Mears, he finished 36th. #17-Kenseth takes over the points lead by 9 points over former leader #48-Johnson. There were 7 cautions for 29 laps and 11 leaders with 20 lead changes.
Race Results on my Phoenix Race Results/Awards Page.
Points Standings on my Drivers/Owners Points after Phoenix page.
Race Rundown: see my Phoenix Race Info/Rundown Page for my race rundown page, laps led, top 10, race notes, lucky dogs and more.(4-22-2006)

Toyota to buy out Robby? Harvick? Jarrett AND UPS? #7-Robby Gordon declined to comment on the latest reports that Toyota and sponsor Red Bull are making an offer to buy him and his entire team. General Motors executives are still hopeful of keeping Gordon in their fold and point to the extensive work they've done to help Gordon become more competitive as an independent owner-driver. #29-Kevin Harvick, also said to be on Toyota's wish list, is still negotiating with GM and owner Richard Childress for a contract renewal, and the yes or no could come in the next few days. Harvick has set a package and price, and the ball is in Childress' court. But team sources indicate that Childress isn't willing to meet Harvick's demands. Childress has been unavailable for comment, and Harvick has declined to comment. According to sources, Dodge owner Ray Evernham may be interested in hiring Harvick.
And Toyota apparently wants not only Dale Jarrett but also his sponsor, UPS. That situation is unclear, but it appears to mean that if car owner Robert Yates wants to keep UPS on his quarterpanels, he would also have to re-sign Jarrett for two more years.(Winston Salem Journal), note: supposedly UPS is signed thru 2007 with Yates and Jarrett is signed thru 2006.(4-22-206)

Harvick says no excuse DeLana Harvick, who takes an active role in the career of husband Kevin and heads up his race team, tried to be understanding when asked about the recent confrontation between Nicole Lunders, Greg Biffle’s girlfriend, and Eva Bryan, Kurt Busch’s fiancée, at Texas Motor Speedway. But Mrs. Harvick, who grew up in a racing family, stressed that disputes between wives and girlfriends are indefensible. “The thing is, we as wives or girlfriends hear a lot of things in the motor-home lot that you guys, the media, never see,” she said. “Because of that, I think there are things on the race track that you see in a different light. “However, there’s absolutely no reason to confront another spouse. They absolutely have nothing to do with what happened on the track, period. It’s inappropriate and it’s unacceptable. It’s a double-edged sword. You’re so emotionally attached to everything that happens. Someone’s safety is at stake. However, there are people there. There are cameras. That’s not acceptable.”(Gaston Gazette)(4-16-2006)

Toyota and...Jarrett? UPDATE 3 Allmendinger? Gibbs?: The new NASCAR Nextel Cup Toyota operation that is being backed by Red Bull "has opened the checkbook," according to one top Ford man, who points to Red Bull's hiring of John Propst, a top Ford Motor Company vehicle dynamics specialist, and the hiring of a top Dodge engineer from the Ray Evernham camp for its new stock-car racing team. General Motors executives are anxiously watching their own key engineers for any similar defections. Elsewhere on the Toyota-NASCAR front, Toyota has made a bid to sign a two-year contract with Dale Jarrett, the tour's 1999 champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. Jarrett's contract with car owner Robert Yates is up at the end of this season. While it has been unclear for several months if Yates and Jarrett could come to new terms, Ford officials said Yates is offering Jarrett a contract similar to the Toyota deal.(Winston Salem Journal)(4-8-2006)
UPDATE - Red Bull Drivers? When Red Bull Racing debuts their two Toyota teams at Daytona in February of 2007, rumor has it the organization is looking to pair a rookie with a veteran, taking an approached used by Evernham Motorsports with Dodge. Veterans on the Red Bull list are said to be Kevin Harvick and Dale Jarrett. No word on a rookie, but it could easily be an accomplished veteran from another of the Motorsports arenas.(CircleTrackPlus)(4-9-2006)
UPDATE 2 Allmendinger? Murmurs in Champ Car circles say Red Bull, which carries a personal services contract with AJ Allmendinger, might like to see the young American in Nextel Cup, where it hopes to strike big in 2007 in partnership with Toyota. With so much money and fame up for grabs in NASCAR, it has become a challenge to keep promising open-wheel drivers away from the France family circus. It could prove difficult for Owner Carl Russo and Champ Car to hold onto Allmendinger, especially if he starts winning.(Autoweek)(4-9-2006)
UPDATE 3 Gibbs? There is still no word on which drivers Toyota might back, but Toyota may be making a run at car owner Joe Gibbs, with hopes of persuading the veteran Chevy man, and his three-man team of #20-Tony Stewart, #11-Denny Hamlin and #18-J. J. Yeley, to jump to the Camry brigade, according to sources. Chevy's Kevin Harvick continues to be a focal point of Toyota speculation. However, there is word that Harvick may be under consideration by Ford's Jack Roush for a driving job next season, though Harvick insists "I've not talked with Jack Roush, and I don't know Geoff Smith (Roush's contract attorney)." Smith was not here to discuss the situation, and Roush demurred: "I hear Toyota goes with Kevin Harvick, and there's not a Toyota in my future. What I do know, is Toyota just hired (engineer) John Propst from Ford, and that gives Toyota access to everything all the Ford teams have known about the engineering of the cars, and that's a cheeky move by Toyota, and it's certainly a coup for Toyota. The thing that is more distressing is Toyota is in position to make their own tires, with its relationship with Bridgestone....And I've heard Toyota has acquired 100 acres of land in Charlotte to put together a test track."(Winston Salem Journal)(4-10-2006)

Sadler's old crew chief leaves RYR: Kevin Buskirk, formerly head engineer at Robert Yates Racing and Elliott Sadler's interim crew chief at the end of 2005, has gone to work at Richard Childress Racing as the engineer for driver Kevin Harvick's #29 GM Goodwrench/Reeses Chevy. "Kevin joined the organization a couple of weeks ago, and he's a great talent and a great find," Richard Childress said Saturday. "Him and [crew chief] Todd Berrier think and work a lot alike, and I think he'll do a lot of things. I'm excited to see how that will work out."(NASCAR.com)(4-9-2006)

Harvick not to own Cup team; leaning toward RCR? While rumored to be the top choice of Toyota when that auto maker ventures into NASCAR Nextel Cup Series competition in 2007, driver #29-Kevin Harvick says none of the future moves he makes will entail the role of owner/driver. In fact, Harvick's comments Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway sounded more like the five-year Cup veteran would rather remain with current car owner Richard Childress than either exit to start his own Cup program - he already fields Busch and Truck entries through Kevin Harvick Inc. - or leave to drive for another owner. Harvick is in the final year of his contract with Richard Childress Racing, although there are contract options available to Childress to re-sign the driver. And while the two have mutually agreed to discuss their future later this year, Harvick said Friday that there was no specific date set to have any issues resolved. The talk of Toyota, he said, is speculation. "... As far as [Toyota] courting me, I don't know what would fall into that category. Everything up to this point is speculation of what's happening. Right now, there's nothing done or nothing happening anywhere from any manufacturer or anything."(SceneDaily.com)
AND 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.(Winston Salem Journal)(3-25-2006)

Harvick's price tag too high for GM? #29-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 [and Busch] 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. And it's unclear if Harvick would back down on his price in order to stay with Chevrolet. That is all raising speculation about who Childress might hire to replace Harvick if Harvick does move on.(Winston Salem Journal); Harvick has been rumored to the Red Bull Toyota team and to Michael Waltrip Racing's 2nd team.(3-20-2006)

Harvick/RCR up in the air: Whether #29-Kevin Harvick returns to Richard Childress Racing next season will not be totally up to the 2001 Nextel Cup rookie of the year. A source close to the organization said there is concern over whether Harvick is focused enough on his Cup career to be given a long-term contract. Harvick already owns teams in the Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series, and is believed to be a target of Toyota as a driver and perhaps owner when the Japanese-based manufacturer enters NASCAR's top series in 2007. Harvick and team owner Richard Childress have set an April deadline for determining whether they will remain together past this season. Childress has maintained he would like Harvick back. He also admitted the decision is not one-sided. "It's got to be right for both of us,'' said Childress, who attended Sunday's race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. "It can't be right for just one. It has to be a deal that both of us believe we can win races and win championships.(NASCAR.com)
AND The Ltn Hour ( Let's Talk Nascar ) Radio Show reported on this weeks show that Robert Yates Racing is also looking at Kevin Harvick to take over the #88 UPS Ford in 2007 as current driver Dale Jarrett's contract ends at the end of 2006. Jarrett has said he would like to driver at least thru 2007. UPS is signed thru 2007.(LTN Radio Show)(3-7-2006)

Special Scheme for Harvick at Calif: #29-Kevin Harvick will drive a specially wrapped #29 Icebreakers Ice Cubes gum NEXTEL Cup race car in the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.(California Speedway PR)(2-20-2006)
IMAGE: see images of the scheme on my #29 Team Schemes page.(2-23-2006)

Teresa doesn't expect to see #3 run again: [DEI Team owner] Teresa Earnhardt doesn't believe anyone -- including her stepson, #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- will bring the #3 the late Dale Earnhardt made famous back to Cup racing."Contrary to popular belief, everyone cannot be replaced," Teresa Earnhardt said. "Legends live on forever. I don't think the #3 will ever be driven by anyone else." The rare public comment from Teresa Earnhardt comes from a one-hour television show, "NASCAR Five Years Later," that will air tonight on Speed Channel at 8:00pm/et. The #3 has not been used in the Cup series since Earnhardt's death. NASCAR controls car numbers and assigns them to team owners on an annual basis. Richard Childress has maintained control of the #3 since Earnhardt's fatal crash. Earnhardt Jr., who drives the #8 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc., the company his father formed and his stepmother now runs, said again recently he would like to drive the #3 before the end of his Cup career. "I really think that'll happen," Earnhardt Jr. told NASCAR.com. Earnhardt Jr. said his desire to drive the #3 does not mean he has any short-term plans to leave DEI. At the Speedweeks media day on Thursday, Earnhardt Jr. said he'd like to run DEI one day. "I'd love to take over at DEI," he said. "Teresa and I will talk about that when the time comes, but that's not in the near future." Earnhardt Jr. started JR Motorsports, which owns a team that plans to run in the Busch Series this year.(Thatsracin)(2-14-2006)

Harvick comments on Gordon: #29-Kevin Harvick, who stepped into his seat at Richard Childress Racing the week after Dale Earnhardt died in a crash during the 2001 Daytona 500, says no one has been able to replace Earnhardt as a voice for the drivers in the NASCAR Nextel Cup garage area. Speaking Thursday during NASCAR's annual Media Day, Harvick said longtime Cup star Rusty Wallace filled some of that void until he retired last year. "With him gone, I can't tell you who is going to step up," Harvick said. "It's like our biggest stars are involved in a lot of other things and not taking 100 percent interest in the sport now." Without saying his name, Harvick made it clear that he believes four-time champion Jeff Gordon should be filling Earnhardt's role as the unofficial drivers' representative to NASCAR. "There are people who should be more involved and you know who I mean," he said. Gordon shrugged off the apparent criticism, saying the sport has changed and no one can really replace the charismatic and often enigmatic Earnhardt. "I know people have asked me, `Why haven't you done that? Why haven't you done that?' I've never really felt like it was my place to do that," Gordon said. "I feel like over the years that I've been here that I've earned more respect, but I don't know if I'll ever have the type of respect that Dale had. I think we all play a certain role in doing it together as drivers. It is our responsibility to bring up certain issues and try to do our best to keep the sport growing. But the sport is growing. It's been doing good."(ESPN.com/AP)(2-10-2006)

Emerson Climate Technologies partners up with RCR: Emerson Climate Technologies has been named an official partner of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and will be an associate sponsor of the #29 GM Goodwrench/Reese's team in the NEXTEL Cup Series and #2 ACDelco team in the Busch Series. Emerson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson, is a provider of technology solutions for the global heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industries serving residential, industrial and commercial markets. Key products of Emerson Climate Technologies include Copeland Scroll compressors, White-Rodgers thermostats and controls, and Emerson motors. Emerson Climate Technologies will use its RCR program as a relationship-building tool with industry-leading HVAC and refrigeration contractors through point of purchase and internet promotions, driver appearances at industry events, show car appearances, bringing contractors to race events, and events at the team's race shop. For more information, visit www.EmersonClimate.com.(RCR PR)(1-29-2006)

Three Teams to field Camry's in 2007 Cup Series: hearing that Bill Davis Racing [#22,23], Michael Waltrip Racing [#55] and Team Red Bull will run the Toyota Camry in 2007 when Toyota enters the series. In addition to Red Bull, other sponsors that will be associated with the Toyota teams are Caterpillar (Bill Davis Racing) and NAPA (Michael Waltrip Racing). Team Red Bull will be based in Mooresville, NC, and stock car veteran Marty Gaunt [Penske] will serve as the team's general manager. Who will drive for Red Bull? how many teams/cars? not sure, Robby Gordon, who owns his own team has been sponsored by Red Bull. And have heard that Kevin Harvick, who drivers the #29 RCR Chevy, could be one of the drivers for Red Bull team. Expect these teams, but doubt the Red Bull drivers, in part to be announced at Toyota's Press Conference at Lowe's Motor Speedway tonight.(1-24-2006)

RCR Personnel Moves: Mike Brown has been named director of licensing for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), replacing Chuck Spicer who has assumed the new position of director of competition business operations. Brown is responsible for all aspects of RCR's licensing programs. He has been involved in the sales, marketing and licensing end of the NASCAR industry for more than a decade, most recently in a three-year stint as director of sales and marketing with Team Caliber. Prior to that, he spent more than four years as director of licensing for International Speedway Corporation (ISC), establishing and then supervising the sales, marketing, licensing and purchasing activities of its Charlotte office. Spicer's new responsibilities include RCR's driver development and diversity programs, team travel, engine department business opportunities, and to serve as the liaison between the competition and business sides of the company. He served as RCR's licensing director since moving from Bill Davis Racing in December 2000.(RCR PR)(1-22-2006)

2005 News

Harvick joins "The Kelly's": #29-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. The Kellys features other highly regarded voice-actors such as Nancy Cartwright (The Simpsons; Rugrats; Kim Possible), Rob Paulsen (Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain; Land Before Time), Jess Harnell (Alf; Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Kath Souci (Rugrats; Winnie the Pooh) and Corey Burton (101 Dalmations; Toy Story 2).(NASCAR)(11-15-2005)

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)(11-1-2005)

Reeses to take larger role on #29 in 2006? UPDATE 3: hearing Reeses/Hershey will take a larger sponsorship role [up to a 1/3rd of the races?] on the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevy that Kevin Harvick drivers for Richard Childress Racing in 2006. This is not seen on the 2006 Paint Scheme Vote winner at gmgoodwrench.com, where the Black & Silver paint scheme won the vote with 61% favoring, over 53,000 votes were tallied.(10-13-2005)
UPDATE: GM Goodwrench/REESE'S Press Announcement...Richard Childress Racing will hold a press conference on Saturday, October 29 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(10-27-2005)
UPDATE 2: nothing official yet..but on Speed Channel's NASCAR Live, it was reported that Reeses will be the primary sponsor for 12 races in 2006.(10-29-2005)
UPDATE 3: 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)(10-29-2005)

Martin on the #29 pit box at AMS: RCR's ACDelco Chevrolet Busch Series crew chief Gil Martin will spend his Busch Series bye week calling the shots on the #29 GM Goodwrench Monte Carlo for driver Kevin Harvick at Atlanta. Martin was the team's crew chief last Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.(RCR)(10-29-2009)

Hussey takes over for Berrier UPDATE: For the second time in 2005, #29 GM Goodwrench driver Kevin Harvick will be without his long time crew chief, Todd Berrier. Richard Childress Racing lost their appeal Wednesday after Berrier was suspended by NASCAR for two races after a rules violation in qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway last weekend. Despite the loss of their leader, Harvick and the entire GM Goodwrench team are prepared for "business as usual" in Martinsville, Va. Chris Hussey, a former Cup Series crew chief at Petty Enterprises, will take over for Berrier.(RCR PR)(10-20-2005)
UPDATE: Chris Hussey will be unable to serve as #29 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 Times)(10-23-2005)

Berrier's penalty upheld: On October 19, 2005, the National Stock Car Racing Commission [Brad Daugherty, Richard Gore, and George Silbermann, Chairman] heard and considered the appeal of Todd Berrier, crew chief for the #29 car. The appeal pertained to a penalty issued by NASCAR under Section 12-4-A of the Rule Book "Actions detrimental to stock car racing" and Section 12-4-Q "Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the car, car parts, components and/or equipment used in the Event do not conform to NASCAR rules: Unapproved aerodynamic modifications and unapproved fuel cell vent mounting." The penalty stemmed from post-qualifying inspection at Talladega Superspeedway for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event on September 30, 2005.
The penalty assessed was:
* $10,000 fine; suspension from NASCAR until October 19, 2005; probation until December 31, 2005.
* Upon the request of the Appellant, the Commission deferred the original penalty until the hearing could be conducted.
Taken individually, each of the components that failed to conform to the rules had plausible explanations, but taken collectively, constituted a serious violation of the rules. Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Commission to uphold the original penalty issued by NASCAR. The period of the suspension will be adjusted to commence from the date of this hearing. The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Commissioner.(NASCAR)(10-19-2005)

Hearing set for RCR Appeal: Car owner Richard Childress said the team's appeal of NASCAR penalties issued to crew chief Todd Berrier has been set for Oct. 19. NASCAR suspended Berrier, crew chief for Kevin Harvick, two races, fined him $10,000 and placed him on probation until Dec. 31. Officials found that Harvick's car had an unapproved aerodynamic modification and fuel cell at Talladega.(Roanoke Times), while the penalty is being appealed, Berrier can serve as the #29 Crew Chief on Sunday at Kansas.(10-8-2005)

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.(10-7-2005)

Richard Childress Statement Regarding NASCAR Penalty The following is a statement from Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), regarding NASCAR's penalty to RCR crew chief Todd Berrier for a rules infraction Sept. 30 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway: "After several discussions with the crew of the #29 team, we have decided to appeal NASCAR's ruling. 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. Regardless of the outcome, we can't let it get in the way of what the #29 team is trying to accomplish this season. The goal is to finish 11th in the point standings. That's where they are now and that will remain their focus."(RCR)(10-5-2005)

#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)(10-4-2005)

Harvicks time tossed, fails post-qual inspection UPDATE Berrier tossed: #29-Kevin Harvick WAS to start 2nd at Talladega Superspeedway in the UAW-Ford 500 but the overflow tube for the fuel tank was missing along with venting problems and NASCAR disallowed Harvick's run and he will start from the rear of the field on Sunday.(Speed Channel's Trackside show)(9-30-2005)
UPDATE - NASCAR comment on Harvick's qualifying run being disallowed at Talladega: NASCAR spokesman, Jim Hunter, addressed the media following qualifying with the following comment: "The No. 29 car's qualifying time has been disallowed. He (Harvick) will start Sunday's race from the rear. There were a couple of things in the rear area of the car did not comply with post-qualifying inspection. The trunk area was not sealed properly. It was not vented to the outside as prescribed in the rulebook. The shock doors inside the trunk area were opened and not secured. So there were several violations in the trunk area of the car. So there will probably be penalties coming out the first of the week. But that's why."(GM Racing PR)(9-30-2005)
UPDATE 2: hearing that crew chief Todd Berrier, already on probation for the infractions at Las Vegas in March, has been escorted from Talladega Superspeedway and will not be calling the shots for the race on Sunday, no word on who will be the acting crew chief for Harvick.
AND For the second time this year, Kevin Harvick will be without his regular crew chief after NASCAR found violations with the #29 Chevrolet. Crew chief Todd Berrier was removed from the track by NASCAR on Saturday, one day after NASCAR found multiple violations in post-qualifying inspection. Gil Martin, crew chief for Clint Bowyer in the Busch Series, will serve as Harvick's crew chief on Sunday in the UAW-Ford 500. Team owner Richard Childress will be atop the pit box with Martin. Childress declined comment on the situation. In March, Berrier was suspended for four races after NASCAR found an unapproved fuel filler and unapproved fuel cell vent in post-qualifying inspection at Las Vegas.(NASCAR.com)(10-1-2005)
AND II: 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 informed Berrier was 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."(ESPN.com/AP)(10-1-2005)
AND III PLEASE GIVE US YOUR OPINION ON THE SITUATION AND BERRIER BEING ESCORTED OFF THE PREMISES: [Childress] "Well, I don't think he was escorted. He was just told he needed to leave, to clarify that. The next thing is, I gave my opinion to NASCAR this morning. They know my feelings on the situation that's happened over the past few weeks and I'm going to leave it at that. Let you all figure it out."
SOME THINGS HAVE HAPPENED WITH OTHER TEAMS LATELY WHICH HAVE NOT RESULTED IN A PENALTY. CAN YOU COMMENT ON THAT: "I was very outspoken with NASCAR this morning and I'm going to leave it at that. I'm biting my tongue."(GMRacing PR)(10-1-2005)

NASCAR comment on Harvick's qualifying run being disallowed at Talladega: NASCAR spokesman, Jim Hunter, addressed the media following qualifying with the following comment: "The No. 29 car's qualifying time has been disallowed. He (Harvick) will start Sunday's race from the rear. There were a couple of things in the rear area of the car did not comply with post-qualifying inspection. The trunk area was not sealed properly. It was not vented to the outside as prescribed in the rulebook. The shock doors inside the trunk area were opened and not secured. So there were several violations in the trunk area of the car. So there will probably be penalties coming out the first of the week. But that's why."(GM Racing PR)(9-30-2005)

Harvick rumors won't die....to #11? UPDATE: #29-Kevin Harvick and car owner Richard Childress have said they intend to team again next season, the last year of their current contract, but that hasn't stopped speculation that car owner Joe Gibbs has been looking at Harvick for a full-time ride with his #11 FedEx-sponsored team.(Winston Salem Journal)
BUT been told that there was a 'trade' discussed not too long ago, Harvick to Gibbs and Bobby Labonte to RCR, but it all fell thru and was never really serious.(9-26-2005)
MORE: hearing talk was pretty strong that the Harvick-Labonte trade was moving along until the night of the Bristol race, and Gibbs decided he didn't want Harvick. Think both drivers are still looking to go to other rides but Harvick's comments at Bristol ended the Gibbs possibilities. So don't expect Harvick to go to the #11 car.(9-27-205)

RCR Joins The Motorsport Industry Association: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has been accepted as the newest international member of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), and the UK association's first US-based NASCAR stock car racing team organization. The MIA works tirelessly to strengthen its network of contacts within the worldwide motorsport industry, including the NASCAR sector, and the membership for RCR will open up the world market through the MIA's membership on all continents.
Chris Aylett, CEO of the MIA, said "North Carolina, USA and Motorsport Valley in the UK are far closer than geography suggests. The culture of the motorsport businesses in both of these highly successful business communities is based on success. RCR's decision to join the MIA and become the first NASCAR team to do so cements the closeness of those relationships. The MIA will offer access to a truly global motorsport business network from which RCR will gain commercial and competitive advantage. I am delighted that this outstanding company has chosen to join our membership, and we look forward to helping them succeed in whatever way we can."
"RCR is honored to be the first NASCAR team to be accepted into the Motorsport Industry Association," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "The process began when we hired Nick Hayes (former technical director for Cosworth) earlier this year to head our engine research and development program. Gaining a competitive edge in racing is very important, whether it's NASCAR, Formula 1 or at the local dirt track. Being an MIA member will provide RCR with the opportunity to build relationships to achieve that edge and we hope to be able do the same for other members."
The MIA is a truly global network and has a strong presence in both the UK and the US as well as a liaison office in the Far East. The MIA offers a wide range of motorsport-specific services including market research, conferences, networking events and exhibitions, as well as a number of trade missions to events in the US, the Gulf, and the Far East. For more info on the MIA and its international events, see the-mia.com.(RCR PR)(9-24-2005)

Harvick staying at RCR in 2006 UPDATE but?: Kevin Harvick will be back behind the wheel of Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet for the 2006 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 #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."(RCR PR)(9-16-2005)
UPDATE the Winston Salem Journal reports.....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?(Winston Salem Journal)(9-18-2005)

New Hires at RCR: Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has hired Tom Knox as its managing director of business development and promoted Jason Garrow to the director of sponsor services. Knox will be responsible for evaluating and pursuing new business opportunities, leading the efforts to add to RCR's family of sponsors and technical partners and working with RCR's sponsor services group to bring additional opportunities to its partners. The Wayne, N.J., native comes to RCR from Rusty Wallace, Inc., where he had been since 1999 and last held the position of vice president of business development. From 1997-99, he was a sales account manager with NASCAR's New York office. Knox earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Fairfield University in 1994 and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Seton Hall University in 1997.
Garrow will oversee day-to-day business activities and client activation with current sponsors, manage sponsors' event and at-track activities, work with RCR partners to leverage their sponsorship assets and help develop new marketing activities and services for RCR. The Marshall, Minn., native had been RCR's senior sponsorship manager since February 2003. A 1992 graduate of Augustana College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration/Economics, he earned a Master of Science degree in Sports Management in 1996 from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.(RCR)(9-15-2005)

DEI and RCR...merge? a merger between RCR and Dale Earnhardt Inc. is rumored to be in the works. Although DEI vice president Richie Gilmore says the partnership will involve nothing more than promotional plans, the two organizations enjoyed a beneficial aerodynamic alliance several years ago. Considering the strength of powerhouses Roush and Hendrick Motorsports, a marriage between RCR and DEI would move their programs up a level. Another benefit? Dale Earnhardt Jr. could follow in his late father's footsteps in an RCR car.(Sporting News)(9-5-2005)

Harvick to the #42? No Comment: Childress: Rumors here [California Speedway] are widespread that Kevin Harvick may be headed to Ganassi’s #42 Texaco Dodge, thus freeing Jamie McMurray to move to Roush Racing [#6] a year early [he signed for 2007]. Richard Childress, who owns the cars Harvick currently drives, wouldn’t comment directly on speculation that the team might be breaking up. Childress did, however, reminisce on the longstanding relationship between him and the late Dale Earnhardt. “He (Earnhardt) had a chance to leave,” said Childress. “I told him in 1985 after we had blown 11 engines that year and run horrible. I told him on the way back from Pocono, we met out by my pool, and I said, ‘Dale, you’re too good of a race driver to be here.’ He said, ‘We made a commitment commitment together, and we’re going to finish it together.’ That was 1985 and we came back next year and won 11 races and the championship, and the same thing in 1987, and the rest is history.”(Gaston Gazette)
AND Kevin Harvick apologized to his team during Speed Channel's broadcast of qualifying for the critical comments he made about them at Bristol last weekend.(News and Record)(9-4-2005)

Claification - Harvick: some reports/articles/columns report that Kevin Harvick's contract with Richard Childress Racing ends at the end of the 2005 season. That is not true. As reported many times, Harvick himself has said [6-15-05 and 8-30-05] his contract with RCR is through 2006. Back in March 2003 when the contract was signed, the terms were 3 year extension [2004-2006] with an additional 2-year right of first refusal. Back then GM Goodwrench, sponsor of Harvicks #29 Chevy in Nextel Cup, signed thru 2006.(8-31-2005)

Harvick tests at Milwaukee: Kevin Harvick and the #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)(8-31-2005)

Snap-on scheme for #29 at Charlotte in Oct: This year marks the 85th anniversary of Snap-On Tools, the global leader in professional tools. For the past 85 years Snap-On Tools has been providing its customers with their favorite hand tools, power tools, industrial tools, tool storage products, tool boxes, automotive diagnostics, and shop equipment. To commemorate this exciting anniversary, #29-Kevin Harvick will be drilling into the competition in a special Snap-On 85th Anniversary special paint scheme on October 15th at the Charlotte Nextel Cup event.(Action), see image of the scheme on my #29 Team Schemes page.(8-30-2005)

Harvick putting the pressure on RCR UPDATE to the #42? #77?: #29-Kevin Harvick, saying he’s putting pressure on [Richard] Childress to improve the team and could leave next year if his things don’t go the way he wants. “I’m checking things out and really just trying to see how it all goes,” Harvick said Friday. “We’ll race to the end of the year and see what happens.” Queried about his relationship with his car owner, Harvick added, “I think I’ve been leaning on him pretty hard … I just want to see some improvement in the whole organization.”(Speed Channel)(8-27-2005)
UPDATE: After Kevin Harvick was caught up in the Jarrett-Newman [2nd] wreck, he got out of his car and ripped his team and his spotter on camera. “Happy” has been increasingly vocal in his public criticism of his RCR team, leading to speculation that he’s angling to leave for what he perceives to be greener pastures. The buzz is that he wants to replace Jamie McMurray next year in Chip Ganassi’s #42 Texaco Dodge, which would free McMurray to replace Mark Martin in Jack Roush’s #6 Ford in 2006, which in turn would mean Roush might allow Kurt Busch to leave to join Roger Penske’s team next year, replacing Rusty Wallace. And with Scott Riggs leaving MB2 Motorsports to drive Ray Evernham’s third [#10] car next year, soon-to-be-former-Ganassi-driver Sterling Marlin might take Riggs’s spot with MB2 next year.(Speed Channel), plus hearing Harvick could end up at Penske Racing, but in the #77 Dodge. Harvick was rumored to be going to the #2 a few months ago, but denied it saying he was getting ready to announce something special with RCR....obviously things have soured between Harvick and RCR.(8-30-2005)

Harvick waiting before re-upping with RCR: #29-Kevin Harvick 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 [not returning to his Truck Series team]. "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. However Harvick has not been pleased with his performance this season and says he wants to see improvements before he signs any new contract with Childress: "It's not that I'm unhappy, I just want to see some improvements. I want to see what all these changes do. I don't want to get into a situation where we make changes and it gets worse."(Winston Salem Journal)(8-15-2005)

Congrats: #29 RCR Engineer, Scott Miller and wife Suzette, welcomed an addition to the family on July 22 at 5:00pm when Eva Margaret was born at 5 pounds, 5 ounces, and 18 inches long. Everyone is doing great.(8-3-2005)

VOTE: GM Goodwrench has sponsored a race car for 20 years. Now, for the first time ever, they're letting fans decide what it's going to look like. So get in on the excitement by voting for the 2006 standard paint scheme on the GM Goodwrench #29 car, driven by Kevin Harvick. Go to gmgoodwrench.com to vote.(7-26-2005)

Childress says all 3 teams will remain intact for 2006: [Team owner Richard] Childress said his three teams will return intact next season: "We're pretty much set on everything right now." All three drivers, #31-Jeff Burton, #29-Kevin Harvick and #07-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.(Winston Salem Journal)(7-25-2005)

Reese's and Harvick at Bristol: #29-Kevin Harvick will run a Reese's Big Cup / GM Goodwrench scheme in the SHaroies 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in August. See an image of the scheme on my #29 Team Schemes pages.(7-21-2005)

RC Wine...the good stuff: A bottle of 2004 Childress Vineyards' Barrel Select Pinot Gris was chosen as one of the top wines produced by celebrity wine proprietors in today's USA TODAY. Legendary NASCAR championship team owner Richard Childress is also the proprietor of Childress Vineyards, located at the gateway of the Yadkin Valley in Lexington, N.C. In a "Food & wine" column ("Heard about stars through the grapevine", July 8, 2005), columnist Jerry Shriver wrote about celebrities involved in winemaking and the taste test USA TODAY entertainment reporter Donna Freydkin conducted with 11 wines having celebrity connections. Freydkin mentioned the Childress Vineyard selection first, commenting that she "preferred the smooth, easy-to-drink-while-sitting-on-your-porch character" of the North Carolina wine crafted by award-winning winemaker Mark Friszolowksi.
The list of celebrities, other than Richard Childress, proprietor of Childress Vineyards president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, included: movie director Sofia Coppola; her father, director Francis Ford Coppola; the rock band Doobie Brothers, music legend Bob Dylan; golfers Ernie Els, Greg Norman and Arnold Palmer; Vince Neil, lead singer for Motley Crue; and acting legends Fess Parker and Fred MacMurray.(RCR PR)(7-10-2005)

RCR makes changes in the engine dept: 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. "I think the reorganization we’ve made is a positive new start to our entire engine department,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. ”We’ve had tremendous growth at RCR over the past couple of years and the workload we’ve asked our management group to be responsible for was keeping us from achieving the success I know we’re capable of. These moves, in addition to bringing on Nick Hayes to head up our engine research and development department, have put RCR in a much better position to reach the goals we’ve set for ourselves.” A new engine shop manager will be named at a later date.(RCR Site)(7-8-2005)
AND Nick Hayes has been named by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) as its engine research and development director and will lead all RCR engine research and development activities from a newly-created R&D facility at the RCR complex. Hayes comes to RCR after a well-documented yet unique career at Cosworth, which is based in England, including spells in Formula One engine design, development and track support before rising through the ranks to lead its F1 program through the late 1990s. Recent years saw him leading all technical activities at Cosworth as Technical Director. The move to RCR marks the start of a new chapter in Hayes' illustrious and successful race engine career that has covered a wide variety of series but, until now, has not touched NASCAR significantly.(RCR PR)(7-10-2005)

Sad News: Richard Childress Racing's (RCR) fabrication shop manager Paul Wise passed away this morning after a brief illness. He was 58. Wise was employed by RCR since January 2003 after spending two-and-a-half years in a similar position with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. All six RCR cars competing this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, in both the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series, will carry "In Memory of Paul Wise" decals. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at Charity Baptist Church, 2420 Brantley Road in Kannapolis, N.C. The Rev. R.J. Hammond and the Rev. Gene Beaver will officiate. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Internment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, at Charity Baptist Church.
Born Jan. 6, 1947, in Cabarrus (N.C.) County, Wise was the son of C. Winfred Wise and Ethel Howell Wise of Kannapolis. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and was a recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal. He worked with many NASCAR teams during his career. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Paula Jean Wise, Feb. 14, 1975.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Barbara Austin Wise; son, Jason Paul Wise and wife, Brittany Cromer Wise, and granddaughter, Jayleigh Austin Wise of Kannapolis; sister, Anne W. Watts and husband, Charles, of Raleigh; brothers, Phil Wise and wife, Lynda, of Kannapolis and Mark Wise and wife, Derlene, of Raleigh; along with 13 nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, Dancers for Cancer, c/o Carolina Dance, 2353 Concord Lake Road, Suite 110, Concord, N.C. 28025.(RCR)(6-28-2005)

Childress would welcome Dale Jr....if....UPDATE 2 denied: Richard Childress does not see Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc., after the season, but if that happens, his door is open. “Junior has his own deal working good at DEI, and I hope it all works out for him,” said Childress, who won six Nextel Cup championship with the late Dale Earnhardt. “I think it will (work out), ’cause it’s a really good organization. I also would say if he ever left there, I’d sure hope he’d come this way. I know what Dale Sr.’s vision and dream was with DEI,” Childress said. “It was to build that operation for Dale Jr., (sister) Kelly and his family. Dale Jr. has done a great job of representing DEI and what they want to do, so it’s a good deal.”(The State)(6-24-2005)
MORE......Does "Little E" ever wonder if it might be better if he had moved on out of the DEI team his father founded and went to the Childress team his father drove for? "Yeah!" he says, cheer suddenly rising in his hoarse voice, his eyes brightening. "And I think about that. And that's still -- that's always an option." As the only man alive who could carry "3" on his door panels with public approval and indeed celebration, and with his Bud sponsorship willing to follow him wherever he goes, it would seem he could pick up the phone and virtually be there. "Right," he confirmed. "Yeah. Richard and I haven't really sat down at a desk to talk about it, but he owns the number '3' and I want to drive the No. 3 race car before I retire. I've told Richard I want to finish my career in his race car, or in a No. 3 car if he and Teresa [Earnhardt] can come to some agreement or whatever." He means a transfer of ownership of the number. His stepmother, Dale's widow Teresa, owns Dale Earnhardt Inc. and has the ultimate say, although Richie Gilmore runs the company for her. She rarely comes to races or appears in public and doesn't speak with the media. Earnhardt Jr. is under contract to her through 2007. But could something be worked out? And how long would it take? "Oh, if everybody was for it, less than 24 hours, I would assume," Earnhardt said. "But I don't see that happening. I mean, not everybody's going to be cool about it. I don't think Teresa would want me to leave, in the first place."(See very large and interesting column at the Orlando Sentinel)(6-25-2005)
UPDATE 2: DEI, founded by Earnhardt Sr. when he was driving for Richard Childress, is now run by Earnhardt's widow, Teresa. Earnhardt Jr. and his stepmother have had a rocky relationship. In an interview in Saturday's Orlando Sentinel, Earnhardt reiterated the notion that he might someday leave DEI. Reached Saturday at the track, Earnhardt said he was simply restating his desire to drive for Childress "years and years" down the road. "Nothing's going on, I promise you that," he said.(USA Today)(6-27-2005)

Harvick finishes 7th in final Mesa Marin appearance: Brian Richardson was the class of the 28 car Late Model 'McMillin Homes Firecracker 100' at Mesa Marin Raceway winning over Burney Lamar and Eric Richardson. After getting caught up in a lap 4 accident, Kevin Harvick came back to finish seventh, minus the front body parts and the left front shock of his #29 car. With Mesa Marin sold and closing at the end of its 2005 season, it is the final race Harvick will run at the track. Harvick had two consecutive NASCAR Late Model wins at Mesa Marin.(in part from the Mesa Marin site)(6-25-2005)

RCR and United of Omaha Reach Settlement: A settlement has been reached in the trial brought by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) against United of Omaha insurance company in a case that arose out of the death of Dale Earnhardt at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2001. The jury trial began May 23, 2005, in the Superior Court in Lexington, N.C. The parties reached a confidential settlement over the weekend of June 17. The settlement was reached after both parties had presented all of their evidence and had a full understanding of the intentions of the other party. By settling the case, both parties were able to avoid further prolonged litigation which would have included appeals to the North Carolina appellate courts. Also, the settlement precludes any further disagreements or litigation by both parties over the issues and subject matter of the lawsuit.(RCR PR)(6-20-2005)

Harvick cuts some grass: Kevin Harvick was in Hastings, MI Wednesday to mow the soccer fields at Tyden Park. Hastings resident Mary Parsons won the "I Can't Believe Kevin Harvick is Mowing my Lawn" promotion by Yard-Man, sponsor of the #33 Busch Series car owned Kevin Harvick, Inc. but chose to donate the lawn care to the town park. Harvick mowed the fields and then took pictures and signed autographs for many of the more than 300 fans who turned out to see the NASCAR star.(Edelman PR)(6-16-2005)

Sad News: Robert Ray "Bud" Hutchens, 63, father of Richard Childress Racing's Bobby Hutchen's, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2005, at his home. He was retired from Leaseway Motor Cars. Mr. Hutchens was an avid NASCAR fan and had cars that raced at Bowman Gray Stadium for over 40 years. Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Mrs. Carol Long Hutchens; two sons, Bobby Hutchens and wife Sharon, Kenny Hutchens and wife Robin, all of Winston-Salem. NC; a daughter, Lisa Thomas and husband Chris of Greenville, NC; seven grandchildren; and two sisters, Margaret Edwards and Nancy Tulbert, both of Winston-Salem. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00am/et Monday, June 13, at Waughtown Cemetery with the Rev. Norwood Green officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 this evening, June 12, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 4A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407 or to the Bowman Gray Neurosurgery Dept., Medical Center Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27157.(Winston Salem Journal)(6-12-2005)

Harvick to the #2? UPDATE Harvick talks, denies and fumes: it was reported during Speed Channel's Texas Truck Series race that Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevy was in negoatiations with Penske Racing to take over the #2 Miller Lite Dodge fielded by Penske Racing. This was reported as a rumor back in Febuary by NASCAR.com and the Winston Salem Journal. The big questions would be, Harvick is supposedly signed thru 2006 with a 2-year option, how does this effect Harvick's Chevy Busch and Truck programs [not gonna see Stewart in a Dodge Busch car] and if under contract can't image Richard Childress just letting Harvick go.(6-11-2005)
UPDATE - denied by Harvick: from a GM Racing PR after qualifying at Pocono Raceway for he Pocono 500:
KEVIN HARVICK, NO. 29 GM GOODWRENCH CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO - Responds to Craftsman Truck TV broadcast comment on 6/10 reporting that Harvick would be making a move to Dodge: "I think that Ray (Dunlap, SpeedTV on-air talent for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) will probably be thoroughly embarrassed in the next couple of months there with everything we've been working on (contracts). The bad part about it is that I have another year on my contract with RCR and a couple of years with Chevrolet. I think if the facts would have at least been checked on and not just dreamed up over a couple of beers, we probably would have had a much better telecast on the Speed channel last night watching the Truck race. They need to worry about what the hell they're doing and things will be reported a little more accurately."
(ARE YOU A WANTED MAN? ARE YOU GETTING CALLS?) "No, I haven't gotten calls from anybody because I'm not available. It's one of those things that's dreamed up. Richard and I are working on a lot of things to go forward in the future and there isn't any other home that's going to be available for me. It's unfortunate, but stuff happens. Like I say, in the next couple of months it'll be something that he'll probably regret. He'll be embarrassed about saying it."
(WERE YOU WATCHING THE TELECAST LAST NIGHT?) "Yeah, the disappointing part about it is that I'm laying in my motor home and (Ron) Hornaday is pretty much annihilating them during the race. And they were talking about me driving another car and not even reporting on the race. That's the unfortunate part for GM Goodwrench and the race fans and everybody. They're not even worried about their own telecast. It's unfortunate. So I went to bed with a headache, to say the least. I was watching the race with the guys on my team and with Scott Wimmer, actually, and they all kind of looked at me and I (shrugged shoulders) said, 'Hey, you guys know how this world works.' So it was unfortunate. But like I say, it's pretty easy to put to rest and that's why I wanted to make sure that it didn't go any further. If all the facts were known with all the contractual stuff, it wouldn't even be reported."
(WHAT ARE YOU AND RICHARD CHILDRESS WORKING ON LONG TERM?) "Oh, it'll be great. It'll probably catch you guys (media) off guard a little bit. But once we get it all done, it'll be awesome."
(DOES IT INVOLVE OWNERSHIP?) "Oh, you never know."(GM Pocono Quotes/PR)(6-11-2005)

Crew Standby for the #29: Dan Blizzard, the front tire changer for RCR's Busch Series driver #2-Clint Bowyer, will be on standby to change front tires on Kevin Harvick's #29 Cup car. Regular front changer Jason Pulver cut his hand at home one week ago and is listed as doubtful.(USA Today)(5-29-2005)

No penalties for Harvick/Nemechek: NASCAR will not punish Kevin Harvick or Joe Nemechek, who had a televised shoving incident that included verbal assaults after Stewart, Nemechek and Harvick started a wreck with five laps remaining in the All-Star Challenge.(Rocky Montain News)(5-25-2005)

RCR Lawsuit Against United of Omaha Begins Today: Court proceedings in the lawsuit filed by Richard Childress Racing against the United of Omaha Life Insurance Company will begin on May 23, 2004, at 10:00 a.m., in Superior Court in nearby Lexington, NC. This case arises out of life insurance covering the death of Dale Earnhardt at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 18, 2001. It involves the three-year contract Earnhardt and Richard Childress signed in 2000 to cover the years 2001 through 2003. Richard Childress Racing agreed to insure Earnhardt for $7.2 million, to be payable to Teresa Earnhardt if he died during the first year of the contract. A $3.5 million life insurance policy was already in effect with National Life of Vermont and Richard Childress Racing purchased an additional policy worth $3.7 million through agents of United of Omaha, a subsidiary of Mutual of Omaha prior to Earnhardt's death.
The insurance policy application with United of Omaha was completed and signed in January 2001 by all parties involved: Richard Childress Racing, Dale Earnhardt personally, and United of Omaha. Two premium payments were made by Richard Childress Racing to agents of United of Omaha.
Within 24 hours of Earnhardt's death, United of Omaha declined payment on the $3.7 million policy and stated they had closed their file on the case. Shortly after that, National Life of Vermont sent a check for $3.5 million to Richard Childress Racing, which was delivered to Teresa Earnhardt. The lawsuit against United of Omaha is for violation of North Carolina laws dealing with bad faith and unfair and deceptive trade practices by insurance companies. Under those laws, insurance companies must conduct a reasonable investigation of all claims based upon all available information. Richard Childress Racing contends that United of Omaha did not conduct such an investigation and illegally refused to pay under the policy, thus violating the law and regulations applicable to insurance companies in North Carolina. He is pursing this case on behalf of Dale Earnhardt, Dale's memory, and Teresa Earnhardt.
This trial is set for a special session of the Superior Court of Davidson County in Lexington, N.C., which will begin May 23, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. The case will be heard by a resident Superior Court judge in Davidson County, the Honorable Kimberly G. Taylor. This is to be a trial by jury that is expected to last for one to two weeks.(RCR PR)(5-23-2005)
AND - MORE: But the insurance company, United of Omaha, argues the policy was never in effect. Part of the problem: Earnhardt died before taking a physical. There's also a dispute over whether Childress had paid enough of the premium. The team says it made an initial payment and got the bill for a second on Feb. 19, 2001 -- the day after Earnhardt's last race. It paid the bill. But the company says more money was owed before the policy would take effect. Richard Childress, who owned the No. 3 car that Earnhardt -- a Kannapolis native -- made famous, sat in front of the courtroom with his attorneys. He contends that United of Omaha didn't conduct a proper investigation of his claim, as required by N.C. law.(ThatsRacin.com)(5-24-2005)

Nemechek/Harvick altercation: in the garage after Joe Nemechek and Kevin Harvick came back from the infield care center at Lowe's Motor Speedway for the Nextel All-Star Challenge, Nemechek walked up to Harvick's wrecked car and started to apologize to Harvick's crew when Harvick walked up and they went nose-to-nose. Here's what was said:
Nemechek: "Hey, I'm sorry about that dude."
Harvick: "I'm starting to get tired of you wrecking me."
Nemechek: "I didn't start the deal."
Harvick: "You called me out at Daytona."
Nemechek: "Hey, if you wanna go at it..let's have at it big boy."
Harvick: "But you know what, you need to take your old washed up [butt] out of here...that's what you need to do."(from a source in the garage at LMS)(5-21-2005)

Chevy Rock and Roll Schemes to be unveiled UPDATE 2 - IMAGES: Chevrolet will give race fans a taste of what they will see when they return to Richmond International Raceway in September for the Crown Royal IROC, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 200, Emerson Radio 250 NASCAR Busch Series and Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races. As an official partner and longtime race sponsor at Richmond International Raceway, Chevrolet plans to unveil three Rock & Roll themed stockcars on Friday afternoon.(RIR Fact Sheet)(5-10-2005)
UPDATE: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. will have 3 Doors Down on his car. Others: #31-Jeff Burton / Big & Rich; #29 Kevin Harvick / e Gretchen Wilson; #10-Scott Riggs / Nickelback and #07-Dave Blaney / Drive by Truckers.(5-11-2005)
IMAGE added the #10 Nickelback and #29 Gretchen Wilson images to the #10 Team Schemes and #29 Team Schemes pages.(5-13-2005)
UPDATE 2: Chevrolet is mixing the red carpet with black asphalt announcing today that more stars and cars than ever will be part of the popular Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, September 10. NASCAR drivers #29-Kevin Harvick, #10-Scott Riggs and #25-Brian Vickers helped Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper unveil their musical artist-themed Chevy Monte Carlo racecars for the event. Chevrolet also will host a pre-race concert with Nickelback performing and Gretchen Wilson singing the national anthem.
Three of the specially themed cars that will compete in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 were revealed:
· Kevin Harvick's #29 GM Goodwrench Chevy Monte Carlo will feature Gretchen Wilson.
· Brian Vickers' #25 GMAC Chevy Monte Carlo will feature Green Day.
· Scott Riggs' #10 Valvoline Chevy Monte Carlo will feature Nickelback.
This is the sixth consecutive year that Chevrolet will be the title sponsor of the fall race at Richmond International Raceway. With more than 107,000 fans attending, the race will mark the 28th consecutive sell-out of a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at the track and will be broadcast live during primetime. The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 is the 26th race of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season and will determine the participants in the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship." Today's announcement is the first of many musical pairings to be announced prior to the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Additional vehicles that will be participating in the event will be announced later.(Chevrolet-GM/Action Performance/RIR), see updated images and the #25 car on my #25 Team Schemes pages.(5-13-2005)

Harvick in DC to give Driving tips: Washington, DC area residents have the unique opportunity to receive a driving lesson from Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo, when General Motors brings AutoShow in Motion to FedEx Field. Harvick will share driving and safety tips during a vehicle demonstration on the first day of the four-day event. AutoShow in Motion gives consumers the opportunity to test-drive more than 150 cars, trucks and SUVs on specially designed driving courses. Not only does GM offer its own vehicles for test drives: consumers can drive and compare GM products with competitive models from Mercedes, Toyota, BMW and more. There are no sales people at this family-friendly event and the atmosphere encourages leisurely exploration of the vehicles. Kevin Harvick will appear on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. AutoShow in Motion Public Days will be Thursday, May 12 to Sunday, May 15. Consumers interested in attending AutoShow in Motion should register by logging onto the Web site at www.autoshowinmotion.com or by calling 1-877-THE-ASIM (1-877-843-2746). Test drive participants must have a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years old (children can ride with an adult).(GM Racing)(5-4-2005)

#150 for Harvick: #29-Kevin will make his 150th NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series start on Saturday night at Phoenix International Speedway.(