Kevin Harvick
No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS
Event Preview Fact Sheet
Event/Date: Subway 500 – October 21, 2007
Venue: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway
NOTES:
This Week’s Race Car at Martinsville Speedway … Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 223 from the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stable. This is a new Shell-Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala SS.
Stat Facts … In 12 NASCAR Cup Series starts at the paper clip-shaped oval, Harvick has four top-10 finishes. Additionally, “Happy” has led laps during four of the events with the most coming in October 2004 when he led 104 laps and finished eighth.
Former Winner … Harvick is a former winner at Martinsville Speedway, claiming victory in the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Goody’s 250 on his way to capturing the NASCAR Busch Series championship.
Keep on Rolling … Harvick has yet to record a DNF (did not finish) in 2007. He and fellow teammate Clint Bowyer are the only two Chase drivers to have finished every race this season. Harvick has been running at the end of every race dating back to Dover last September, a steak of 39 races.
RCR at Martinsville … In 97 previous NASCAR Cup starts at Martinsville, RCR has earned three poles and posted six wins between Ricky Rudd and Dale Earnhardt. Additionally, team owner Richard Childress has earned 22 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes at the .526-mile paper clip-shaped track dating back to April 10, 1972. Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, contributed four of those top 10s from 1976-1978.
Points Check … Harvick slipped to eighth in the NASCAR Cup point standings after his 33rd-place finish at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The 2007 Daytona 500 winner is 328 markers out of the lead and just 88 markers out of the fifth-place spot.
Kevin Harvick Fan Club Gathering … On Friday, October 19 from 5 -10 p.m. Harvick will have his annual Fan Club Gathering at Kevin Harvick Incorporated. You must be a member of the 2007 Kevin Harvick Club to be permitted into Harvick’s autograph session. Guest who are not registered members of the 2007 Harvick Fan Club are welcome to attend the Gathering, but will not be permitted into Harvick’s autograph session or participate in any events designated for Fan Club Members Only. Additionally, several members of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil team will be on hand from 7:15-8 p.m. to sign autographs. For more information please visit www.kevinharvick.com.
October is for Birthdays … Two members of the Shell-Pennzoil Racing team will celebrate birthdays this month. Spotter and Brake Specialist Bill O’Dea turns 41 on October 24 and Scorer and Travel Coordinator Leslie Britton turns 52 on October 19.
Up Close and Personal … The No. 29 team will be one of five teams featured this weekend on DIRECTV’S NASCAR HOTPASS. With a channel dedicated solely to the Shell-Pennzoil Racing team during the running of the Subway 500, fans will be able to watch all the action through DIRECTV’s multiple camera angles, real-time car telemetry and listen to in-car audio communication.
Up to Speed … Live coverage of the Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway will take the green flag Sunday, October 21 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and will be telecast on ABC. The event will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius Satellite Radio. Qualifying for 32nd of 36 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races will air live on ESPN2, MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio Friday, October 19 at 3:30 p.m. EDT.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTES:
Do you have a strong comfort level at Martinsville since you have had some good runs there?
“We work really hard on our flat-track program because we know it’s one of my strong points. Martinsville is one of those places where you have to have great pit stops and do everything right and we have been able to do that. However, with the Car of Tomorrow coming in, it is going to throw a small monkey wrench into the whole deal but I think, after our success at Bristol, we will be just fine. I am also going to run the truck race so hopefully we can work something out on Saturday that will help us on Sunday.”
What is the best way to get around Martinsville?
“Martinsville is one of those tracks where you can be good all day long and have something go wrong at the end. You have to make the car roll through the tight corners and keeping the brakes on the car the entire race is very important. Avoiding wrecks is another key to a successful day at Martinsville. It’s a short track and things happen in a hurry. If we can stay out of trouble, I think we have as good a chance as anyone.”
Are there any others races left that you consider “wild card” races for the Chase drivers?
“I think at this point, for us, all of them are “wild card” races. I mean if it is going to happen, its going too happen to us. We had two flat tires the first week of the Chase. The second week we had another flat tire. Kansas was okay; we finally finished the race where we ran all day. Talladega, all the engine faied and finally Charlotte we had two more flat tires. It is just one of those things where you keep the performance level as high as you can keep it and the other stuff is just out of your control. You just go back and rewind and try to do it better the next time you go back to that particular race track.”
