Kevin Harvick

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 7, 2008) — Kevin Harvick and the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Chevrolet started the Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway from the seventh position and crossed the finish line 12th after battling a tight-handling car most of the night.

Harvick quickly moved forward from his starting position, taking over second place on lap eight. Several laps later, Harvick radioed to crew chief Wally Rogers the car was “tight in and tight off.” When the first caution waved on lap 14, the team took the opportunity to change four tires, add fuel and make air pressure adjustments to help with the tight condition. Harvick restarted on lap 16 in the 13th position.

Having taken four tires when many teams opted for two, Harvick was again on the move. On lap 22, he moved into third place. Still not handling to Harvick’s liking, the team again made adjustments to the car under the second caution of the night on lap 30. Harvick restarted on lap 34 in the 13th position.

Following the restart, the race stayed green for most of the remaining laps. With a tight car, Harvick slipped to 18th by lap 50 and stayed around the 20th position for the rest of the night.

A late-race caution on lap 97 caused NASCAR to extend the race to a green-white-checkered finish. The No. 33 team opted to pit from 17th place for four fresh tires and fuel under the caution. The race restarted for the final time on lap 103 with Harvick in the 19th position.

Harvick took the checkered flag from the 12th position, passing several cars as they spun directly in front of the No. 33 VFW Chevrolet on the final lap.