NASCAR industry honors Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick at year-end gala: As the culmination of a calculated risk that led to a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, the NASCAR industry joined together Friday night at the Wynn to honor 2014 titleholder Kevin Harvick, who claimed stock car racing's most coveted prize in his first season with Stewart-Haas Racing. In his speech at the Sprint Cup Awards Banquet, Harvick revealed just how much of a risk he took in changing teams after the 2013 season. "After 13 seasons at Richard Childress Racing, I made the move to Stewart-Haas Racing," said Harvick, who joined forces with long-time friend and SHR co-owner Tony Stewart this year. "And I have to admit, I was scared to death. I tried to play it cool, but it was a pivotal moment in my career. I was venturing outside my comfort zone, and I had to make it work. Tony, I consider you to be one of my best friends. You promised me if I came to Stewart-Haas Racing, we would win a championship, and we did just that. You are a man of your word."
In the first year of a new elimination format for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Harvick claimed the title with victories in the final two races. His win at Phoenix International Raceway propelled him into the Championship Round of the Chase at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he secured the title by triumphing in the season finale. All told, Harvick won five races, three in the Chase, won a career-best eight poles and led a series-best 2,137 laps. From day one at SHR, he showed tremendous speed. "The first time I was able to get in my #4 Budweiser/Jimmy John's Chevrolet, we were fast," Harvick said. "It didn't matter if it was an open test at Charlotte last December. A practice, a qualifying session or a race-we wanted to be at the top of the board."
Nor was Harvick hesitant in offering praise to the architect of his race team, crew chief Rodney Childers. "He built new race cars and assembled a whole new group of guys between the end of the 2013 season right until we loaded up for the Daytona 500," Harvick said. "Under his direction, we accomplished a lot and became great friends in the process. From the lead-up to the Daytona 500 until the checkered flag dropped at Homestead, Rodney asked for a lot from our people on this race team. Rodney, I can't say thank you enough for all that you've done."
In accepting the championship owner's award, SHR co-owner Gene Haas pointed out that both titles won by the organization since he partnered with Stewart in 2009 required drivers Stewart (2011) and Harvick to win the final race of the season at Homestead. And in fact, Harvick finished one position and a mere half-second ahead of series runner-up Ryan Newman in the season finale. "We were one point away from our best finish of the season at Homestead," Newman said after leaving the stage.
The overwhelming consensus among the 16 drivers who appeared during the ceremony was that the new Chase format had transformed the sport. "Even though we didn't make it to Homestead to battle for the championship, I truly believe NASCAR got it right this year with the new knockout format for the Sprint Cup," said Jeff Gordon, who won four times in 2014 but was eliminated from the Chase at Phoenix by a single point. "I cannot begin to describe the pressure and the intensity we faced week after week, race after race-and this year crowned a deserving champion."
NOTABLE QUOTES "If I look like a wreck, it's not because I have a hangover. It's because I wrestled a two-year-old down the red carpet and up here on stage." - Kevin Harvick, who brought son Keelan with him to the head table.
"I'd love to have an opportunity to tie the greats in Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr." - Jimmie Johnson. The six-time champion finished 11th in the final standings, his worst position since joining the Sprint Cup Series full-time in 2002.
"I stand up here as an honorary member of the Hendrick Drivers' Club." - former Hendrick driver Kyle Busch, now with Joe Gibbs Racing, standing with Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr., all of whom were eliminated from the Chase in the Contender Round.
"I'm not saying Joey Logano's pit crew is slow, but tomorrow they're celebrating Thanksgiving." - Banquet host Jay Mohr in a reference to the mistake on pit road that cost Logano a shot at the title.(
NASCAR Wire Service)(12-6-2014)
Yates Denies Rumors of Roush Fenway Buyout: Roush Yates Engines CEO Doug Yates responded yesterday (Dec 4th) to rumors that he will replace Jack Roush at the helm of Roush Fenway Racing when Roush steps down in the near future. "Jack is committed to NASCAR racing," said Yates, son of legendary NASCAR engine builder and team owner Robert Yates. "He loves two things besides his family; racing and flying airplanes. He is not planning to stop the racing part, anyway. I know that for a fact." Yates admitted, however, that he is interested in following his father into the ownership ranks one day. "It's flattering to hear my name out there (in the rumor mill) and if the right situation came along, I'd love to carry on what my dad started and what he accomplished. But right now, my focus is on building great engines for Ford Motor Company and making Ford and Roush proud. That's what I'm going to try to stick with and be focused on in the near future. Jack Roush is not going anywhere" he said, "...and one thing he's not going to do is quit before he gets (Roush Fenway Racing) back where he wants it." Yates also said Roush has been instrumental in his success as an engine builder, adding, "He's been really good to me... a lot like my dad. I've been so fortunate to learn and watch and be around him. He's taught me a lot."(
Godfather Motorsports)(12-5-2014)