Kevin Harvick
2007 Ride: No. 29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
2007 Primary Sponsor: Shell/Pennzoil
2007 Owner: Richard Childress
2007 Crew Chief: Todd Berrier
2007 Stats: 36 starts, 1 win, 4 top fives, 15 top 10s, 10th in points
High Point: Harvick started out the season in spectacular fashion, capturing the Daytona 500 by passing Mark Martin once they exited turn 4 on the last lap. The win completed a weekend sweep – Harvick had won the 300-mile Busch Series event the day before – and created an obvious boatload of momentum for the No. 29 team. Surprisingly, that ship never sailed; Harvick never entered victory lane again in a points-paying race the rest of the year. The closest he came to that Florida high was in May, when Harvick came out on top in the Nextel All-Star Challenge to win a cool $1 million bonus.
Low Point: The second half of the season. In late July, there was a critical turning point for Harvick; he was leading late during the Brickyard 400, but suddenly faded after contact with Tony Stewart roughed up his car. While Stewart went on to win, Harvick entered a tailspin; he averaged a 17th-place finish in the next five races, and got involved in an infamous confrontation with Juan Pablo Montoya at Watkins Glen.
That left the Shell/Pennzoil team reeling, and they never seemed to bounce back; While the true title contenders finished in the top five week in, week out, Harvick was left doing little more than eating their dust; he had a best finish of sixth and only four top 10s during the 10-race playoff.
Summary: Harvick and his RCR crew started off the year with a bang but finished with a fizzle. While he had some strong runs during the season, there were several occasions where the car failed to make it home to the end with the kind of finish that he deserved. Blown tires, handling issues, pit-road miscues and other missteps resulted in a season of what might have been for a man labeled a title contender back in February. Perhaps it’s the curse of the Daytona 500 trophy; since 2001, only two of seven winners have finished higher than 10th in the standings.
2008 Outlook: Despite a difficult season for Harvick, Richard Childress Racing once again showed they are moving back towards the pinnacle of the sport by putting all three of their cars in the Chase. While both his teammates ended up higher in the end-of-year standings, in theory the No. 29 car is still the top dog at RCR – and as such, Harvick will be the first to benefit from any team improvements. If the Childress/DEI engine program can continue making their engines more reliable, Harvick should once again be in position to contend for the championship.
2006 Frontstretch Grade: A-
2007 Grade: B
About the author
What is it that Mike Neff doesn’t do? The writer, radio contributor and racetrack announcer coordinates the site’s local short track coverage, hitting up Saturday Night Specials across the country while tracking the sport’s future racing stars. The writer for our signature Cup post-race column, Thinkin’ Out Loud (Mondays) also sits down with Cup crew chiefs to talk shop every Friday with Tech Talk. Mike announces several shows each year for the Good Guys Rod and Custom Association. He also pops up everywhere from PRN Pit Reporters and the Press Box with Alan Smothers to SIRIUS XM Radio. He has announced at tracks all over the Southeast, starting at Millbridge Speedway. He's also announced at East Lincoln Speedway, Concord Speedway, Tri-County Speedway, Caraway Speedway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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