Race 2 Win: Busch Series Race Notes

NASCAR Busch Series

NAPA Auto Parts 200 - Kevin Harvick Notes

Kevin Harvick
No. 21 AutoZone Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date: NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge – August 4, 2007
Venue: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – Montreal, Quebec, Canada

NOTES:

This Week’s Race Car at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 072 from the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stable. This is a new No. 21 AutoZone Chevrolet that was tested at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) last month.

One for the Books … History was made last month when Terry Labonte tested with members of RCR’s NASCAR Busch Series teams at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in preparation for the inaugural Canadian Busch Series. It was the first time a Busch Series race car has turned a lap on the 13-turn 2.709-mile circuit, which has been home to the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix since 1978.

RCR Road Course Stats … In 11 previous NASCAR Busch Series road course starts, RCR has posted four top-five and seven top-10 finishes. In 2006, RCR cars finished in the top 10 twice and led for a total of 19 laps.

RCR Busch Brigade … In 22 Busch Series races this season, RCR has claimed seven victories - the most recent coming three weeks ago at Chicagoland Speedway with Harvick (Burton – 2, Clint Bowyer- 2 and Harvick –3). Additionally, the three RCR Busch teams (No. 2, No. 21 and No. 29) have a total of 26 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes while leading for a total of 1,055 laps.

Pretty Good for a Part-Timer … In 15 NASCAR Busch Series starts this season, Harvick has tallied three wins, two poles, 6 top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. Despite having competed in just two-thirds of the races in NASCAR’s junior division, the 2006 NACAR Busch Series champion has led 285 laps and is fifth in the drivers’ point standings.

Road Course Stats… In five NASCAR Busch Series road course events, Harvick has collected four top-five and five top-10 finishes, with his worst finish being seventh at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International last season.

Logging Miles … As he pursues his fourth NASCAR Busch Series win of 2007, Harvick will commute 1,676 miles between Greensboro, N.C., Pocono Raceway and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, where NASCAR’s junior division competes this weekend. On Thursday morning, Harvick will fly from the Greensboro Airport to Montreal for open practice and then fly to Pocono for Friday’s practice and qualifying. The 31-year-old driver will then depart Pocono via helicopter immediately following practice on Saturday morning, and head for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport. If all goes according to plan, Harvick will practice the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevy Saturday morning before heading to Montreal in time to qualify and race the No. 21 AutoZone Chevy that afternoon. Brandon Miller will be standing by in the event that weather delays Harvick’s arrival in Montreal.

RCR/KHI Busch Deal … RCR and Kevin Harvick Incorporated (KHI) reached an agreement to expand their already successful NASCAR Busch Series relationship going into the 2008 season. KHI will take a more active role in this increased technical alliance with regard to testing, aerodynamics, suspension and chassis.

Three Days, Two Tests, One Goal … Harvick and the Shell-Pennzoil Racing team tested at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) Tuesday, July 31 and Wednesday, August 1 in preparation for the upcoming Centurion Boats at The Glen road course event at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. On Thursday, Harvick participated in another road course test at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal to prepare for this weekend’s Busch Series NAPA Auto Parts 200.

Catch the Action … The NAPA Auto Parts 200 will be televised live on ESPN2 Saturday, August 4 beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 23rd race on the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series schedule will be televised live on ESPN2 the same day beginning at 12 noon EDT.

KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
Is racing a Busch road course race more of an adventure than if it were all Cup guys?
“I think a Busch road race is probably a little bit bigger of an adventure. You have a lot more guys that have a lot less experience. It gets really interesting at times. The Busch cars drive so much better than the old Cup cars did. The Busch cars are so much easier to navigate around road courses.”

Are you excited running the Busch Series race in Montreal?
“I am pretty excited to go to Montreal this weekend. I really enjoy road course events and it will also help me improve my road course skills for next weekend at Watkins Glen. I also think racing in Montreal is going to be really good for the sport. We already have a lot of Canadians that follow NASCAR and hopefully with this event we will attract a lot more fans.”