After months of speculation about their future, Richard Childress Racing and driver Kevin Harvick have announced that they have come to terms on a contract extension. The deal will keep Harvick behind the wheel of the team's flagship #29 well into the future. Financial terms and the length of the extension were not disclosed. Harvick's contract was set to expire at the end of 2010 and he was thought to be a prized candiate for rides that are currently looking to lock in drivers for 2011.
Since joining RCR for the 2000 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, Harvick has accumulated two driver championships and one owners' title in the series. Since taking over the driving duties of the #29 after the death of Dale Earnhardt, Harvick and the Richard Childress Racing squad have reached victory lane 12 times, including a thrilling victory at Talladega in April.
The only piece of the puzzle that is left to be determined is who the sponsor of Harvick's car will be next season. When Shell/Pennzoil announced its move to the #22 Penske team for next season, it left the RCR team scrambling to find a replacement. However, there have been rumblings that the team is in serious talks with both Budweiser and UPS to possibly take over beginning next season.
I believe that re-signing Kevin Harvick was the best thing to do for all parties involved. 2010 is shaping up to be one of his most competitive seasons and it would look bad if Harvick, who is currently leading the championship point standings, were to leave because the two sides couldn't come to an agreement on a new contract. For many of NASCAR's fans, Kevin Harvick will always be the guy that replaced Dale Earnhardt. This is true, but as the years go on, he has shown that not only does he have the desire to win, but he also will continue to battle for championship trophies well into the future for the only Sprint Cup team he has ever known.
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