Kevin Harvick presented former NASCAR champion driver Sam Ard [see samard.com] with the van that was used in the Shell fuels commercial featuring the #29 Shell-Pennzoil driver and the “Passionate Experts” from Shell at Atlanta Motor Speedway today. Ard, who won the NASCAR Nationwide Series title in 1983 and 1984, has been battling Alzheimer’s disease and facing financial woes. The former champion was 66 years old when he was first diagnosed with the disease. Doctors believe that that the onset of the disease was likely quickened by severe head injuries Ard sustained in a career-ending accident in 1984. Despite missing the final event of that season, he still won the championship by more than 400 points. In addition, Ard’s wife Jo has been diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that is slowly taking her vision. “Sam Ard has been a huge part of NASCAR and an inspiration in my career,” said Harvick. “A lot of people don’t understand how hard those guys raced and how different it was back then. Those guys spent everything they won on racing and I am just happy that we are able to help Sam because none of us would be able to do what we love to do if it weren’t for guys like Sam Ard.” In just three seasons as a competitor in the Nationwide Series, Ard recorded an astonishing 22 wins, 24 poles, 67 top-five and 80 top-10 finishes. He had 10 wins in the 1983 season alone. Ironically, in 2006, Harvick chased Ard’s record for most wins in a season but fell one victory short before the season ended as he went on to claim his second Nationwide Series championship. The donated Chevrolet van was used in the Shell fuels commercial that has run throughout the 2008 season. The commercial featured the driver of the #29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet and the Shell “Passionate Experts.” The Shell pit crew along with the experts, were trying to pull a prank on Harvick by disassembling what they thought was the two-time Nationwide Series champion’s van. The experts realize the vehicle they tore apart wasn’t Harvick’s as he drives away in another van identical to the one they dismantled. After the commercial shoot was completed, professional mechanics put the van back to its original state and Shell, along with Harvick, decided to present it to Ard. The NASCAR Foundation and Motor Racing Outreach have partnered together for an online auction to raise additional funds for the Sam Ard Fund more info on my Racing Charities page.(RCR PR)(10-26-2008)
