Motorsports

Harvick is back in control

Kevin Harvick seems to have learned his lesson after being held out last season at Martinsville.

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 12, 2003

One year ago at Martinsville, Kevin Harvick learned a hard lesson.

NASCAR parked its hot, young star for the Winston Cup event after he intentionally spun Coy Gibbs in the truck race and, even worse, showed up officials with his behavior and comments.

So, when the green flag waved, Harvick had the worst seat in the house -- on his couch. The unprecedented penalty was meant to serve as an attitude adjustment.

Apparently, it worked.

A year later, Harvick is out of trouble and in the top 10 in the Winston Cup standings. He will commemorate his transformation today by competing in the truck series race at Martinsville.

"I think it made me a better person. I learned a lot about myself and exactly how I fit into NASCAR. I want to be here for a long time, and I needed to treat NASCAR with a little more respect."

Harvick's first two seasons in Winston Cup were pressure-packed. In 2001, he replaced the late Dale Earnhardt, driving the No.29 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. He was an instant success, winning three races and rookie of the year honors while claiming the Busch Grand National championship.

But 2002 was different.

The RCR program fell behind, and Harvick grew frustrated. His aggressive driving style and brash attitude rubbed competitors the wrong way. He already was on probation with NASCAR when, in the Martinsville truck race, he retaliated against Gibbs by spinning him on a restart.

NASCAR ordered Harvick to park his truck and report to the officials trailer. Harvick stopped within inches of the trailer and, when no one was there to meet him, announced that if officials wanted to speak to him, they could come to his motor coach.

Not too smart.

"He was put in a situation no one had ever been in before," said Childress, who put out plenty of fires in 17 seasons with Earnhardt. "Some of it was frustration because the cars weren't running as good as they should be.

"Now, he understands what Winston Cup racing is about and what he needs to do. He has the ability to be a champion, I just hope we can give him what he needs."

Harvick and Childress deny the incident put a strain on their relationship. Last month, Harvick signed a three-year contract extension through 2006. And Childress recently reunited Harvick with Ed Berrier, his crew chief in the Busch series.

"Ever since Martinsville, Richard and I have become closer and I understand a lot more of what he wants out of me and what it takes to try to be successful," Harvick said.

Two months into the season, the 27-year-old Californian is eighth in the Winston Cup standings with three top 10s, including Sunday's runner-up finish at Talladega.

"Everything is so magnified in Winston Cup that a snowball effect starts building and wearing on you," said driver Jimmie Johnson, a fellow Californian. "I know last year was hard for Kevin, but he wants to be in the sport. This year he's making a huge effort to maintain his emotions and he's done a great job with it."

To move forward, Harvick is resorting to his old ways. After Martinsville, he stopped racing in the Busch and truck series. This season, he is keeping busy. He has four top 10s and a victory at Bristol in four BGN starts and today will be his second truck race.

"We've both come to the conclusion that I'm better when I'm racing," said Harvick, who owns the No.6 truck, in which he starts 13th today. "It just keeps my mind so focused on what I need in my race car.

"Sure, the consequences can sideline you if something happens. But you know what? I can go out and fall off my four-wheeler, or walk across the street and have something happen. The more I race, the more confident I feel."

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