Busch Grand National Series

Harvick Will Compete in 15 Busch Races at 13 tracks in 2003

WELCOME, N.C. (Nov. 6, 2002) - Kevin Harvick may not have the same effect on NASCAR Busch Series ticket sales that Tiger Woods has on ticket sales for professional golf events, but next year's race schedule for the 2001 series champion should make the workload of 13 promoters a bit lighter today after Richard Childress Racing announced his 2003 schedule.

Harvick will ignite the engine of the No. 21 PayDay Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing in 15 events at 13 different tracks in 2003. His season starts with a rush of pressure at Daytona International Speedway for the Koolerz 300 on Feb. 15. He will want to win that one for his sponsor, Hershey, which makes both PayDay candy bars and Koolerz gum.

Current RCR talent Johnny Sauter will assume duties as secondary driver of the No. 21 PayDay Chevrolet beginning on February 22, at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N.C. Along with his duties as secondary driver, Sauter will play a vital role in maintaining the No. 21 PayDay team's run at an owner's championship.

Two venues, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway (in Charlotte) will see Harvick compete in both of their NASCAR Busch Series events during the 2003 season. He will compete at Bristol on March 22 and Aug. 22 and at Lowe's Motor Speedway on May 24 and Oct. 10.

Harvick will not compete in more than three consecutive Busch Series races. His three-race stints are in August and November

Harvick's three-consecutive races in August will hopefully set the table for the team's contention for the owner's championship. He will be in command of the No. 21 PayDay Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 16, Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 22 and Darlington Raceway in South Carolina on August 30.

Harvick will provide the PayDay Racing team with what they hope will be a championship charge at the end of the season when he competes in the final three events at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 1, North Carolina Speedway on Nov. 8 and Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 15.

Harvick is not scheduled to compete in any NASCAR Busch Series events that are not accompanied by a NASCAR Winston Cup Series event on the same weekend at the same venue. Sauter will compete in all the non-companion events.

Here is Harvick's entire 2003 NASCAR Busch Series schedule: Feb. 15, Daytona International Speedway; March 1, Las Vegas Motor Speedway; March 22, Bristol Motor Speedway; April 26, California Speedway; May 2, Richmond International Raceway; May 24, Lowe's Motor Speedway; May 31, Dover International Speedway; July 19, New Hampshire International Speedway; Aug. 16, Michigan International Speedway; Aug. 22, Bristol Motor Speedway; Aug. 30, Darlington Raceway; Oct. 10, Lowe's Motor Speedway; Nov. 1, Phoenix International Raceway; Nov. 8, North Carolina Speedway; Nov. 15, Homestead-Miami Speedway.