The Champion Returns ... When the 2007 Daytona 500 champion takes the green flag for the 55th running of the "Great American Race", it will mark his 24th points-paying Sprint Cup Series appearance at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Over the years, the Bakersfield, Calif., native has collected two victories (2007 Daytona 500 and July 2010), five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. Harvick is also credited with 178 laps led.
Hitching a Ride ... On Wednesday, Feb 20, Harvick and wife DeLana will honor Ormond Beach, Fla., Marine veterans with a home delivery of Daytona 500 tickets via the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch. Jayson and Justin Ryter, 22-year-old twin brothers, both completed four years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps and recently returned home after being honorably discharged to pursue college degrees at Daytona State College. Media interested in attending should contact Annette Randall, director of communications for Elevation Group, at arandall@elevationgroup.com.
Draught-ing School ... While on-track at DIS, drivers focus on drafting, but on Wednesday night Harvick will learn about draught beer as he and Budweiser's own Scott Seggi host a private Budweiser Draught School event in Daytona Beach, Fla., for local retailers.
Budweiser Clydesdales ... DIS fans can get a close look at the Budweiser Clydesdales, an enduring symbol of Anheuser-Busch's heritage, tradition and commitment to quality for nearly 80 years. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be stationed in the DIS midway for the remainder of Budweiser Speedweeks. In addition, the hitch, consisting of eight Clydesdales, the famous red, white and gold beer wagon, and two drivers seated next to the hitch's signature mascot Dalmation will take part in a pre-race parade lap prior to the Budweiser Duel on Thursday, Feb. 21 and the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24.
Dueling for a Position ... Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team posted the 25th-fastest lap in Daytona 500 qualifying, earning the team a 13th-place starting spot in the first Budweiser Duel 150 race on Thursday, Feb. 21. SPEED will provide live television coverage of the twin qualifying races starting at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
You've Got Questions, He's Got Answers ... Harvick will participate in a fan question-and-answer session prior to the start of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 9:40 a.m. ET at the Team Chevy Stage.
2012 Race Rewind ... Harvick and the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet team finished seventh in the 54th running of the Daytona 500 after being delayed one day by rain and a fire that erupted as a car made contact with a jet dryer.
KEVIN HARVICK QUOTE:
Kevin Harvick discusses the unknowns heading into the Daytona 500.
"I think you have to keep an open mind about things. You have to be ready for anything as we go through the week. Budweiser Speedweeks is always a little bit different than every other race, because the week kind of evolves from start to finish. I've been through weeks where we've wrecked anything in sight, and I've been through weeks where you've won races and been successful through the week. You have to stay calm and not get too high on the highs or too low on the lows and be ready for Sunday."
Kevin Harvick shares what he has learned about restrictor-plate racing throughout the years.
"The biggest thing is you have to try and be around at the end. We have been successful with varying strategies as we've gone through the years, especially running in the back. I think the safest place to be, especially right now, is running up front, to be able to understand the cars and you wind up with a little more experience on when to make the move. We're going to race hard, and see where we fall in the end and hopefully miss the wrecks."
