Rides with Richard Childress Racing and his own KHI team offer unique opportunity, perspective

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb., 5, 2007) – Although he won’t be defending his NASCAR Busch Series driver championship this season, Kevin Harvick still has titles to chase on the ownership side.

The two-time series champion went through the paces at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Monday during the first of two days of Preseason Thunder testing at the 1.5-mile track.

Harvick will run a partial schedule in the No. 21 AutoZone Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, sharing time with rookie Timothy Peters. The duo should contend for the series owner championship; Childress has captured three crowns, each with Harvick as a key contributor.

And as co-owner of Kevin Harvick Inc. with his wife DeLana, he could actually race against himself for the right to the owner championship.

Kevin Harvick

He’ll drive a few races in his No. 33 RoadLoans.com Chevrolet and will split time in the No. 77 Dollar General Chevrolet with Bobby Labonte, the 1991 series champion and Kertus Davis, a young series veteran who had raced for his family-owned team since 2001.

Although he’s an experienced driver, the ownership side provides plenty of challenges for the 31-year-old Bakersfield, Calif., native.

“I enjoy it,” he said of being an owner. “It brings a whole different perspective to what you do and how I relate to Richard (Childress) and to NASCAR (as a driver).

“Going into the year, we expect both teams to run well and get into the top-10 in points.” Davis has gained respect in the garage; many drivers believe an opportunity such as the one presented by

Harvick and KHI will allow his talent to shine.

“Kertus (has) a really good attitude,” Harvick said. “He brings a lot of experience (to the team). He just needs a chance in good stuff. It's always fun when you can give a guy an opportunity like someone gave me.”

Preseason Thunder testing at Las Vegas is scheduled to conclude tomorrow. The 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season gets underway on Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway.

Test Schedule … Tomorrow’s final session is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Fast Facts
What: NASCAR Preseason Thunder At Las Vegas
Where: Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Track Layout: 1.5-mile tri-oval.
When: Monday, Feb. 5 through Tuesday, Feb. 6.
Times: 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Who: 28 NASCAR Busch Series teams