On Friday, the Kevin Harvick Foundation announced it will fund a full academic scholarship to one Cal State State Bakersfield student-athlete per year for the next 12 years. Harvick made the presentation of the $151,200 award at a press conference at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, in advance of Sunday’s Sprint Cup race. Harvick started his accession toward NASCAR’s highest level of racing by winning a late model title at the old Mesa Marin Raceway while still a student at North High and said this is an ideal way to give back to the community and support higher education. “I looked back at everything I got to do and I was pretty fortunate to get help from people who didn’t necessarily have to help me move up the ranks,” he said. “We were out in California (for the February race in Fontana), drove up one day, stopped in and asked if they’d be interested in a scholarship.” The caveat: that the award winner come the Bakersfield area and be in need of a scholarship. The inaugural recipient of the scholarship is CSUB sophomore and volleyball player Lauren Holderman, who was at Auto Club Speedway to accept the award. Harvick and his wife, DeLana, formed the Kevin Harvick Foundation (KHF) earlier this year to support programs that positively enrich the lives of children throughout the United States. Other programs supported by the KHF include a camper cabin at Victory Junction, Baptist Children’s Homes of N.C., Boys & Girls Clubs and Kevin’s Krew.(Bakersfield Californian)(10-10-2010)
