Kevin Harvick

No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. Chevrolet | NASCAR Nationwide Series

Birthdate: December 8, 1975
Hometown: Bakersfield, California
Residence: Kernersville, North Carolina
Hobbies: Golf, Go-Kart Racing, Hunting and Skeet Shooting
Marital Status: Married, Wife DeLana

Two-time Nationwide Series champion (2006 and 2001) Kevin Harvick will return behind the wheel of the No. 33 Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Chevrolet Impala for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Following another successful year, Harvick looks to continue making history and leaving his mark on NASCAR's elite Series.

For kindergarten graduation in 1980, Harvick received a go-kart and began his racing career. In the 10 years that he competed on the go-kart circuit, Harvick earned seven National Championships and two Grand National Championships. During that time, he also learned the value of dedication and discovered the joy of success that would transform into fierce determination that defines Kevin Harvick.

Harvick left the go-kart circuit to begin competing in the local Late Model Series before moving on to the Featherlite Southwest Series – a regional touring division of NASCAR – in 1992. While completing high school, Harvick ran a limited schedule for two seasons and then in 1995, was back on track competing in a full season and earning Rookie of the Year honors.

Deciding to pursue a career in racing rather than study architecture in college, Harvick progressed to the Winston West Series. Two years later, Harvick won five races on his way to the 1998 Winston West Series championship.

A brief stint in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series introduced Harvick to acclaimed car owner Richard Childress. Childress, having seen potential in Harvick's hard-charging driving style, offered him a ride in the Nationwide Series. Harvick accepted the offer.

In February of 2000, the blue-and-white ACDelco Monte Carlo pulled out of the garage area at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with rookie Kevin Harvick behind the wheel. A remarkable two-year campaign in the Nationwide Series had begun.

Harvick won three races and finished third in the points on his way to the Rookie of the Year title. On the track, he was known for his aggressive driving, but off the track his affable attitude and ever-present smile earned him the nickname "Happy."

Harvick began 2001 as the favorite for the Nationwide Series title, and completed the year a Sprint Cup Series superstar. After losing Dale Earnhardt in a wreck on the final lap of the Daytona 500, car owner Richard Childress asked Harvick to assume driving duties for the GM Goodwrench Service Plus Monte Carlo on the Sprint Cup circuit. Despite the intense schedule and difficulty of driving full-time in two series, Harvick agreed and began the most incredible year of his life.

For having started on such a terrible note, the 2001 racing season was one of the most memorable of Harvick's career – both personally and professionally. On February 28, 2001, Harvick married DeLana Linville, whom he calls his "best friend," in a beautiful Las Vegas ceremony. Despite not having time for a honeymoon, Kevin and DeLana's first year of marriage was filled with incredible moments that DeLana called "wedding presents."

Those "wedding presents" included two Sprint Cup Series wins – the first coming in Harvick's third start – and a Nationwide Series championship, which Harvick earned on the strength of 20 top-five finishes and five wins. Harvick also earned Rookie of the Year honors on the Sprint Cup circuit, finishing ninth in the point standings.

Harvick became the first driver in NASCAR history to run full time on both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup circuits – a total of 70 races – in one season, and the first to be named Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year the same season that he earned the Nationwide Series championship.

In the fall of that same year, Kevin and DeLana ran their first Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The truck, built in a friend's garage, set the stage for what is now a full-fledge racing operation. In August of 2004, Kevin and DeLana opened what is now over an 80,000 square foot facility in Kernersville, N.C., that became the home of KHI. The next year, KHI fielded its first full-time Nationwide Series team, winning the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with Tony Stewart behind the wheel. The 2005 season was also successful for KHI's truck team, as they finished fourth in points, winning an event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Since his start in NASCAR's premier racing series 10 years ago, Harvick has had many memorable career moments. He is currently one of only 21 drivers who have won a race in each of the National Series (Truck, Nationwide and Sprint Cup).

Harvick went on to win his second Nationwide Series championship in 2006, competing in all 35 events. He recorded nine victories, 23 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes, holding an average finish of 4.6, all the while competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He earned five victories, 15 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes, and finished fourth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Adding to his career highlights, Harvick kicked off the 2007 season on a high note as he swept the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series events at Daytona International Speedway, claiming the elusive Daytona 500 title. Harvick went on to finish the 2007 Nationwide Series season fourth in the Owner's Point standings after visiting victory lane six times and earning 11 top-five and 20 top-10 finishes in only 26 starts. At the same time, Harvick competed full time in the Sprint Cup Series, winning not only the season opener Daytona 500, but also winning the All-Star Challenge before finishing the season 10th in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Topping off the year, Harvick and wife DeLana became Championship Owners as Ron Hornaday and KHI's No. 33 Camping World Truck Series team claimed the 2007 NASCAR Truck Series championship.

The 2008 season proved to be another year for the record books for Harvick. He raced his way to his third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase for the Championship, capping the year off with five top-five and 19 top-10 finishes on his way to matching his career best fourth-place finish in the final Sprint Cup point standings. On the Nationwide front, Harvick made the decision to drive only for KHI, finishing the season seventh in the Owner's Point standings and secured one pole, eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in 22 starts. Harvick did visit victory lane in 2008, behind the wheel of the No. 2 KHI Silverado truck at Phoenix International Raceway.

Continuing his success in 2009, Harvick made his mark on all three of NASCAR's elite Series on his way to helping solidify KHI as a top team in the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. Harvick kicked off the Sprint Cup Series season by winning the 2009 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway and after a year of changes at RCR, ended the season with five top-five and nine top-10 finishes. Turning his attention to KHI, Harvick returned to the No. 33 KHI Chevrolet Impala and at one of his most successful tracks, Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, notched his first Nationwide Series win in a KHI-owned car. In a total of 22 starts during the 2009 Nationwide Series season, Harvick was able to score two victories, including his first Nationwide Series win at Atlanta Motor Speedway, two poles, 14 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. With the help of Harvick's stellar stats, the No. 33 KHI Nationwide Series team finished the 2009 season fourth in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Owner's Point standings.

In addition to running in the Nationwide Series in 2009, Harvick also ran six races in the Camping World Truck Series claiming three wins, six top-five and six top-10 finishes. Of his three wins, he added his first set of back-to-back wins and first win on a 1.5-mile track by earning victories at the final two events of the season, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway. While Harvick was making "guest" appearances in the Truck Series and walking away with wins, his KHI teammate, Ron Hornaday and the No. 33 KHI Truck Series team were making history of their own and made Harvick and wife DeLana two-time Truck Series Championship owners.

To cap the 2009 season, Harvick was named the NASCAR Nationwide Series driver of the decade with two series titles in the decade – 2006 and '01 – and was named the series' Raybestos Rookie of the Year in 2000. During the decade, Harvick led all NASCAR Nationwide drivers with 34 wins.

The 2010 season brought Harvick continued success. In the Sprint Cup Series, the driver experienced his career-best season. With three wins, 16 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes, Harvick led the point standings throughout the majority of the 36-race season before landing third in the final standings. Harvick kept busy by staying behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series. He took the KHI machine to the winner's circle three times and with a record of 17 top-five and 26 top-10 results, Harvick ended the season sixth in Driver Point standings and an organization-best third in the final Owner Point standings. The driver also competed in six Truck Series events throughout the season. Out of the six starts, Harvick captured three wins, five top-five and five top-10 finishes and one pole award.

Stats

Kevin Harvick — Cup Series Career Highlights

 

Kevin Harvick — Nationwide Series Career Highlights

 

Kevin Harvick — Truck Series Career Highlights

The Car

David Hyder

Crew Chief No. 33 KHI Chevrolet

Birth Date: August 19, 1967
Hometown: High Point, N.C.
Residence: Trinity, N.C.
Marital Status: Single
Children: Son Dane, Daughter Angel

Veteran crew chief David Hyder discovered a love of racing at an early age, running go-karts well before he reached 10 years old. Like many in the sport, Hyder began his professional career turning wrenches, building cars and racing Late Models around the various short-tracks of North Carolina.His time spent racing Late Models proved a desire for more in the world of racing.

A native of High Point, North Carolina, Hyder entered NASCAR as a car chief at Petty Enterprises in 1999 for driver Kyle Petty. The experience at Petty Enterprises would be only the beginning of a career that has involved several successful teams and drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage.From Petty Hyder took the opportunity to step atop the pit box for driver Ken Schrader at BAM Racing in 2004. Having developed a strong working relationship, Hyder joined Schrader at Wood Brothers Racing in 2006.

In May of 2007, Hyder teamed up with Bill Davis Racing as crew chief for the No. 36 Sprint Cup Series team. By 2008 however, BAM Racing and Schrader came calling again and the duo were reunited.

Hyder joins Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) from his position as crew chief of the No. 21 Sprint Cup Series car for Wood Brothers Racing. The NASCAR veteran will lead the No. 33 KHI Chevrolet team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick, fellow Sprint Cup Series drivers Paul Menard and Clint Bowyer, as well as up-and-coming talent Austin Dillon, behind the wheel.

DeLana Harvick

Kevin Harvick Inc. Owner

Birthdate: July 7, 1973
Hometown: Kernersville, N.C.
Residence: North Carolina
Marital Status: Married, Husband Kevin

DeLana Harvick's racing roots run deep. After visiting a racetrack at the tender age of three weeks old, she was hooked for life. Growing up as a self-described 'race brat,' DeLana learned the ins and outs of the sport that would one day play an intricate role in her life and make her one of the most successful women in NASCAR.

DeLana's father, John Paul Linville, was a driver in the Nationwide Series until 1995 and she often tagged along with him to races. "I was at the race track every weekend, so I didn't really do a lot of kid things," DeLana said. "I didn't do soccer or brownies or anything like that. I was always with my dad at the track."

Though she would have preferred to follow in her father's footsteps, driving a racecar wasn't in the cards for DeLana. Instead, she observed the sport from the sidelines, gaining valuable insight that she harnessed into a solid career.

DeLana began her professional career in racing as a public relations representative for two-time Nationwide Series champion Randy LaJoie, among others. Her strong work ethic and professionalism earned DeLana the respect of not only the media, but of the racing community as well.

It was during this time that she met husband Kevin, whom she married in February of 2001. When she walked down the aisle with Kevin, DeLana not only married the love of her life, but her best friend and business partner.

DeLana's knowledge of - and Kevin's passion for - racing created a power couple whose effect on the sport of NASCAR has only begun to be felt. The creation of Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) in 2001 was merely the opening chapter in what has promised to be a long and storied career.

Making its NASCAR debut in 2001 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, DeLana watched Kevin behind the wheel of KHI's first truck. With a strong showing, KHI proved to be the real deal. Kevin ran in the top five most of the race and led one lap on his way to narrowly missing his first Truck Series victory, finishing second to veteran driver Jack Sprague.

The following year, continuing to build their team, the Harvick's entered six races with Kevin piloting the No. 6 Chevrolet in five races and Rick Carelli, current KHI General Manager, for one race. In just his sixth-career Truck Series start for KHI, Kevin was able to not only earn his first-career Truck Series win, but the first NASCAR victory for their young company when he crossed the finish line at Phoenix International Raceway.

The next few years would be instrumental in the development of KHI. Slowly increasing the number of races it entered, KHI earned its second career Truck Series win in 2003 when Kevin defended his win at Phoenix International Raceway and the Harvick's made the decision to go full-time Truck Series racing in 2004 with Matt Crafton. Deciding to expand from a one team operation, KHI entered a second truck for select races in 2004 with Kevin at the wheel and made the move from Truck Series racing to Nationwide Series racing that same year. Sprint Cup Series star Tony Stewart would debut KHI's Nationwide Series program at Charlotte (N. C.) Motor Speedway where he started the race sixth, led 13 laps and finished fifth for the company's first top-five finish in NASCAR's second-tier series. Clint Bowyer and Tony Raines would also take to the wheel of the No. 33 car to make a total of five starts during the 2004 Nationwide Series season.

With a solid footing in both the Truck and Nationwide Series, KHI entered 2005 with newly hired veteran driver Ron Hornaday behind the wheel of the No. 6 Chevrolet Silverado in the Truck Series and Kevin and Burney Lamar in the driver's seat of a second truck on a limited schedule. Getting acclimated to a new team, Hornaday won one race in his first season for KHI. On the Nationwide Series side, KHI burst on the scene with the full-time No. 33 car at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway where Stewart completed the job he left on the table the previous season in KHI's debut. Stewart started the season opener from the 14th position and after leading 46 laps, crossed the finish-line in the top spot to claim KHI's first career Nationwide Series victory. Three other drivers, Hornaday, Tony Raines and Lamar, would join Stewart behind the wheel of the No. 33 car and Stewart, Raines and Wally Dallenbach would also share seat time in a second KHI car on a limited schedule.

Spending a few years of growing their team into a winning organization, the Harvick's entered 2006 with Hornaday in his second full season in the Truck Series, changing his truck number to the now flagship No. 33. Improving on his one win in 2005, Hornaday ended the season with two wins and seventh in the point's standings. Stewart returned to Daytona to defend his season-opening win in the No. 33 car and Lamar would finish a close second in the No. 77 car to give KHI its first one-two finish in the Nationwide Series. The team would again see an array of drivers behind the wheel and with the momentum from the first full season of the No. 33 car, KHI expanded its Nationwide program to include a second full-time team.

Hornaday's third full truck season with KHI proved to be a memorable one for DeLana and Kevin as they watched the organization they built from scratch flourish to win four Truck Series races with Hornaday and the 2007 Truck Series championship, making them first-time Truck Series championship owners. KHI also ran a second truck for a limited number of races with Kevin and a few friends behind the wheel. In the Nationwide Series, the team again ran two full-time cars with a variety of drivers. Continuing their dominance at superspeedways, Bobby Labonte won the Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in the No. 77 car with Stewart close on his heels in the No. 33 car, another KHI one-two finish.

Thriving on the momentum from 2007, Hornaday made a bid in 2008 to repeat his championship season, winning six races and narrowly missing the Truck Series title by a mere seven points. Expanding the Truck Series program with a second full-time truck, DeLana would add two more wins to the list as owner when Ryan Newman made and won his first-career Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Kevin won at Phoenix International Raceway later that season. Scaling back the Nationwide program to one full-time team and a second car at select events, the team refocused and with Kevin only driving for KHI, in the Nationwide Series slowly began to see improvements on the track and consistency of running in the top 10 each week.

With determination from narrowly missing the 2008 Truck Series title, Hornaday and the No. 33 team entered the 2009 season with one goal in mind and would not settle for anything less. With a historical season, the team won six races including five straight , a first in Truck Series history, and won the 2009 Truck Series title, making Hornaday the first ever four-time champion in the series. The 2009 title also made Kevin and DeLana two-time Truck Series championship owners. In addition to the No. 33 truck, KHI ran the No. 4 truck for the entire season and the No. 2 truck on a limited basis. DeLana added Ricky Carmichael, the most successful motocross racer in American history, to her roster and watched as he began his transformation from two wheels to four wheels as he lead the driver line-up on the No. 4 team. With Kevin adding three more wins to the list, KHI earned a total of nine Truck Series wins in 2009.

While the Truck program continued to dominate the competition, 2009 also proved to be a pivotal year for the Nationwide program as the team won two races and finished a career best fourth in the Owner's Point standings. As owner and wife, DeLana was able to be a part of Kevin earning his first-career Nationwide Series win in a KHI-owned car at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and again at Atlanta Motor Speedway where he won in dominating fashion. The team would finish the season with two wins, 17 top-five and 25 top-10 finishes as they became a contender in the top five every week. The 2010 season brought a mixture of success for not only Kevin but KHI as well. DeLana witnessed her husband's career-best season in the Sprint Cup Series. With three wins, 16 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes, Harvick led the point standings throughout the majority of the 36-race season before landing third in the final standings. He also kept busy by staying behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series where he took the KHI flagship car to the winner's circle three times. With the support of 17 top-five and 26 top-10 results, Kevin ended the season sixth in Driver Point standings and helped the team owner duo celebrate an organization-best third in the final Owner Point standings.

In the Truck Series, KHI saw four-time champion Hornaday and the No. 33 team meet various challenges throughout the season. Despite the challenges, Hornaday was able to capture two wins and finish seventh in the final Driver Point standings. Kevin competed in six events and added three wins to Hornaday's two. DeLana and KHI teamed up with driver Elliott Sadler for eight events. By his fifth race behind the wheel of the No. 2 KHI Chevrolet, Sadler found victory lane in the Truck Series debut at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in August. Driver Clint Bowyer made his only series start for 2010 at Phoenix and rounded out KHI's final win count for the season to seven.

KHI enters 2011 celebrating 10 years of NASCAR racing. Since its inception, DeLana and Kevin have not only become leaders within the industry, but have built a reputation of integrity and fierce competitiveness. This season, DeLana will watch three full-time Truck Series teams and two full-time Nationwide Series teams compete for the drivers and owners championships in each series. With two Truck Series owner championships to her credit, no doubt DeLana's story has only begun and will continue to be one of the most watched in the sport.