Race 2 Win: Busch Series Race Notes

NASCAR Busch Series

Sam’s Town 300 - Kevin Harvick Notes

Kevin Harvick
No. 21 AutoZone Chevrolet
Event Preview Fact Sheet

Event/Date: Sam’s Town 300 – March 10, 2007
Venue: Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas

NOTES:

This Week’s Race Car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 052 from the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stable. Chassis No. 052 hit the wall at Gateway International Speedway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway in October 2006 and was been completely rebuilt both times. Last season, this car also won and finished third at Nashville and finished fourth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Additionally, Harvick drove this chassis to victory lane in 2005 during the fall race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Stat Facts … In 15 starts in NASCAR’s three top divisions at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Harvick has one win, five top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Additionally, “Happy” has led over 250 laps and completed 99 percent of laps attempted.

Former Winner … Harvick is a former winner at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, claiming victory in the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series Sam’s Town 300.

Testing, Testing … Harvick, Timothy Peters and Team AutoZone tested Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb. 5-6 in preparation for the Sam’s Town 300. Harvick also tested his No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil NASCAR NEXTEL Cup car at Vegas Jan. 29-30.

Best Man … Harvick was asked by one of his fan club members to be the Best Man in his wedding, which will take place right before the start of the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. Unfortunately, Harvick’s schedule does not allow him to participate. However, he is going to meet with the couple Friday afternoon to sign a few autographs and take a picture or two.

Vegas Odds … According to Vegasinsider.com Harvick has a 5:1 chance to win the Sam’s Town 300. Additionally, the Bakersfield, Calif., native 10:1 chance of winning the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 on Sunday.

RCR Busch Cars in Vegas … In 14 NBS starts at LVMS, RCR has earned one win (Kevin Harvick – March ’04), six top-five and nine top-10 finishes (Bowyer, Harvick, Ron Hornaday Jr., Jeff Green and Johnny Sauter).

Busch Series Schedule … This weekend marks the third of 26 weekends in which Harvick will pull “double duty,” driving in both the Busch Series and NEXTEL Cup Series. Harvick will compete in a total of 12 (No. 33. – eight and No. 77 – four) races behind the wheel of a Kevin Harvick Inc. entry and the remaining 14 races behind the wheel of the No. 21 RCR entry.

You May Kiss the Bride … Las Vegas was the site of Kevin and DeLana Harvick’s wedding. The two were wed February 28, 2001- two days prior to his first career NASCAR Cup Series top-10 finish (eighth – Las Vegas Motor Speedway).

Double Down … In addition to his driving duties with the No. 21 AutoZone Chevy, Harvick a 11-time race winner in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, will driver RCR’s No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet in the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Sunday, March 11. The race will air live on FOX beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Up to Speed … The Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be televised live Saturday, March 10 beginning at 2:30 p.m. EST on ABC. The Performance Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio will also carry the race broadcast live. Qualifying for the Sam’s Town 300 will air live on SPEED Friday, March 9 beginning at 8 p.m. EST.

KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
What are you thoughts on the NASCAR Busch Series?
“I like the Busch Series. It is where a lot of us got our start. It is where I got my first break with Richard and had some success. The Busch Series is and always will be a big part of my career.”

Why is it so much fun to race in the Busch Series?
“There is a lot of pressure on Sundays. In the Busch races, you can just go out and race as hard as you can and go for the win week-in and week-out. It gives me the ability to just lay everything out there and race for the win. I don’t have to worry about points or anything like that.”

Do you think the Busch Series is still the developmental series?
“I think it is. I think it is a good place for young drivers to learn and start getting the respect from some of the veteran guys. I also think it is a good developmental place for the pit crews, crew chiefs and everyone else involved with a team.”

How do you feel about Las Vegas Motor Speedway getting reconfigured?
“Las Vegas is one of those places where I grew up racing. I had a lot of fun there. The track is kind of worn out and you can move around the racetrack a lot and do a lot of different things. It’s too bad they re-paved it and screwed it up for the next four or five years. “