Kevin Harvick

Number 29 Chevrolet

Richard Childress Racing

Shell/Pennzoil

December 8th, 1975

Kevin Harvick was thrust into the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in 2001. Harvick was picked to replace Dale Earnhardt after Earnhardt was killed during the 2001 Daytona 500.

Harvick ran the remaining 35 races of the 36 race 2001 schedule. Kevin Harvick finished the season with two wins, 16 top ten finishes and a very impressive ninth place points finish.

Harvick easily won the 2001 Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors over Kurt Busch.

2000 - Claimed first Busch Series win (Gateway)

2000 - Busch Series Rookie of the Year

2001 - Replaced Dale Earnhardt in NEXTEL Cup

2001 - Posted 5 wins and 20 top fives enroute to Busch Series Championship

2001 - Won first NEXTEL Cup race (Atlanta) in only his third career start

2003 - Finished a career best fifth in NEXTEL Cup points

2006 - NASCAR Busch Series Champion

2007 - Won the Daytona 500

Kevin Harvick received a go-kart from his parents as a kindergarten graduation present. Kevin then spent the next ten years racing on the national karting circuit winning seven national championships.

Quick Start In Cup

Fast forward from there through much racing success until February of 2001. Kevin Harvick had already caught the eye of Dale Earnhardt and Richard Childress and had won the 2000 Busch Series Rookie of the Year for Childress.

When Dale Earnhardt was killed in turn four of the Daytona 500 Richard Childress tabbed Harvick to take over the driving duties. It took Harvick just three races to find Victory Lane when he took the thrilling and emotional win in Atlanta.

Temper and Speed

Since then Kevin Harvick has had steady but unremarkable success. Harvick has six wins in five and a half seasons of NEXTEL Cup racing. Good enough that Harvick has signed with Richard Childress through the 2009 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season.

At the same time Harvick has a history of emotional blow ups. He has even been "parked" by NASCAR and was not allowed to race at Martinsville in 2002 because of aggressive driving. Since then Kenseth has battled with Matt Kenseth, Joe Nemechek and many others.

Kevin Harvick is a talented driver with a winning team. If he can keep his emotions in check he can be great. Are there NEXTEL Cup Championships in his future?