A few visits to victory lane will have Harvick back at RCR in '11 (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
In 2006, Kevin Harvick entered the final year of his previous contract with Richard Childress Racing. The previous two seasons were less than fruitful. Harvick failed to qualify for the Chase for the Championship in 2004 and 2005, and only had a single win to his credit. Harvick was vocal regarding the lack of performance within the RCR camp.
It almost appeared as if Harvick was halfway out the door at RCR. Recall the rumors that Harvick and his blossoming organization were on Toyota’s radar. After four races into the 2006 campaign, Harvick was 23rd in the standings, and another subpar season seemed to be on the horizon.
Harvick and the No. 29 turned the lethargic start to the season into a career year, one in which Harvick won five races, and contended for the title. Since that fabulous season, Harvick owns one points-paying win, the 2007 Daytona 500. He owns two Bud Shootout victories and an All-Star triumph, but the performance of the No. 29 team has faded.
Four years later, Harvick is in a similar situation. He is a free agent fresh off an unproductive season in which his spats with team owner Richard Childress were common knowledge. Prior to the Bud Shootout on Saturday night, many felt as if Harvick’s days in an RCR Chevrolet were drawing to a close. Even his teammates felt as if this would be Harvick’s final season under the RCR banner.
However, a second consecutive victory in the pre-season shootout has planted a seed of doubt in the minds of those expecting Harvick to bolt. Let us not get carried away with the exhibition win, however. Harvick, as well as Childress, demand much more than spotty success, most of which seem to occur in non-points paying events. In fact, Harvick and Childress will need even more than a solid showing in the Daytona 500.
In order for Harvick to remain at RCR, or for Childress to want to retain Harvick, this team needs to be exceptional at California, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Texas, etc. This organization lacked in performance on the cookie cutter style venues in 2009. If this team turns in some impressive outings early in the season, Harvick may opt to remain in the No. 29 Chevrolet in 2011 and beyond. Of course, sponsorship will play a factor in this situation.
“When you go through the year we went through at RCR last year, got to thank my team, they did a great job,” Harvick said in victory lane, as he praised his team. For all of the Harvick fans that hoping that he stays with RCR, so far so good.
This will be a story worth following as the season advances.
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