Charlotte: Kevin Harvick preview

Harvick keeps hammering.

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (May 20, 2002) - As the second week of "Charlotte Speed Weeks" at Lowe's Motor Speedway (LMS; Concord, N.C.). gets under way, another week of sponsor commitments and public appearances starts for the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series Champion, Kevin Harvick.

A general perception of the time from the commencement of The Winston through the Coca-Cola 600 that is drivers have ample time off. In the case of the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Service pilot, that perception is a fallacy. The span of these 10 days has kept Harvick busier than most weeks on the series' schedule, including a mid-week NASCAR Busch Series Championship Ring Presentation for the 2001 RCR (Richard Childress Racing) Busch Series team.

Harvick's Charlotte whirlwind started last week, given the opportunity to partake in a Goodyear tire test at Chicagoland Speedway (Joliet, Ill.). An eighth place finish at The Winston combined with a succession of top-10 finishes at LMS, have catapulted Harvick into another busy week that will unquestionably stream by, as he looks forward to another stout run at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Service Chevrolet Monte Carlo, comments on his busy week and running the Coca-Cola 600:

The Commitments
"It makes sense that while we're at home - or close to home - a lot of commitments come up. We were asked to do the Chicago Goodyear tire test and that's an opportunity you don't usually ever want to pass up. So we did that on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. Thursday I had some spots to record for radio and then Friday we were at the track. We didn't practice till late, but I had some other media stuff we did in the morning right there at the speedway.

"Then this week I'm testing in Kentucky (Kentucky Speedway, Mitchell, Ky.) on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday we're going up to the shop at RCR for the ACDelco Championship ring presentation for the 2001 (NASCAR) Busch Series guys. That afternoon I have a Coca-Cola shoot. Thursday we've got an Action (Sports Image) deal and then I'm at the track. Usually Friday of this week is a slow day, but since time is so scarce we had to schedule some stuff for NBC on that day. They're getting stuff ready for their part of the season. THEN, Friday night we're going to a ball honoring Richard (Childress). Saturday and Sunday I'll be at the track.

"It's craziness. But, a lot of this stuff goes on while we're home because sponsors like Coca-Cola who need all of the drivers together for a shoot, only have this opportunity to get us all. It makes for a busy week, but the good part is we get to go back and sleep in our own beds. That makes a huge difference, even if it is only two extra days."

The No. 29 GM Goodwrench Service Chevrolet
"The car we had for The Winston was pretty sporty. It really came to me when we had a few laps in, but that car didn't like cautions. It was a long-run kind of car. We learned a lot of things about how to make it work and where we can use it up. We were loose most of the race - which isn't a horrible thing. We usually fight a tight condition, so once we get everything centered, it's gonna be good. That car was good at the end and on old tires."

The 2001 ACDelco Ring Presentation
"This week the guys from the 2001 Busch crew are getting their Championship rings. They're all really pumped about it. Anytime you win any sort of championship it's a big deal. We were the first RCR Busch team to get a Championship - making Richard the first owner to have one in all three series (Winston Cup, Busch, and Truck). It's something we all worked long and hard for and now the guys will have something that says, 'here, look what we did.' It's just a neat deal for everyone."

-rcr-