Can NASCAR Racer Kevin Harvick Win the 2009 Sprint Cup Series?

Brief NASCAR Driver Profile for Kevin Harvick

2009 Preview

NASCAR Race Car Driver Kevin Harvick came in second place in the Daytona 500, the third race of the year, after it was called for rain. He opened the season by winning the Budweiser Shootout. With winnings of $1,315,720, he's only 20 points and $225,000 behind leader Matt Kenseth in the standings page at NASCAR.com. His lifetime career shows 11 wins, 57 placings in the Top 5, 121 placings in the Top 10 and an average finish of 15.2. The next race is scheduled for Fontana, California February 22 and will show on Fox TV at 5pm ET. The question for Fantasy Cap Challenge players is will Kevin Harvick continue to win?

Career Recap

Kevin Harvick drives a Chevrolet for Shell/Pennzoil. According to Wikipedia, his best overall finish was in 2006, but he posted better earnings in 2007, then had a winless year in 2008. This makes 2009 already better.

Kevin Harvick was known as something of a hothead in his early years in racing, receiving a fine of $25,000 along with Matt Kenseth in 2004 for bumping each other during a race, according to the New York Times. Ironically, Kevin Harvick pushed Matt Kenseth into the lead on one of the laps in the 2009 Daytona 500. Most recently he tussled with racer Carl Edwards after Carl inadvertently caused a twelve car accident in 2008, according to the News Observer, but they kept it civil. According to JockBio, Kevin Harvick isn't immune to accidents; he in fact caused one at the age of 15 while racing go-karts which perhaps explains his touchiness on the subject. Being a hothead doesn't help standings because NASCAR officials can also take away your wins if you fail to keep your cool. This is a consideration for Fantasy Cap Challenge players.

Fan Interest

Fantasy Challenge Cap Players should also consider the number of years, Kevin Harvick has raced, namely from 1980 on, a total of twenty-nine years and gained the sponsorship of Childress Racing team mate Dale Earnhardt, just prior to his death. It is clear this racer is a real competitor and dedicated to the sport.