Catchfence

“Earns 12th Top-10 Finish at DIS”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 5, 2009) — Returning to Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (DIS) for round two of the 2009 season, Kevin Harvick and the No. 33 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) team looked to finish what was left on the table earlier this season at both Daytona in February and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April. Starting the Subway Jalapeno 250 from the third position, Harvick ran most of the night in the top 10 before taking the checkered flag from the 10th position.

“Our Veterans of Foreign Wars car was really fast,” said Harvick. “We were moving to the front after the last stop, but just got caught in the wrong spot and lost a few spots. I have to thank the guys for their hard work and for getting the car where it needed to be. It improved after every stop, we just needed to be in the right spot at the right time..”

With the race underway, Harvick quickly moved into the second position, but feel to the 10th spot by lap 10 when the first caution of the night waved. Harvick radioed to the team that the car was too loose getting into the corners. Crew chief Ernie Cope made the call for an air-pressure adjustment and a track-bar adjustment on the four-tire and fuel stop. With some teams opting for two-tire stops, Harvick restarted the race on lap 15 in the 13th position.

Continuing to run in the top10, Harvick told Cope on lap 30 that the car was now a little too tight. With the race staying under green, Harvick moved as high as fifth, but settled back into 10th when the second caution of the race waved on lap 44. Harvick brought the No. 33 VFW car down pit road for adjustments to help the tight-handling conditions, fuel, four tires, and repairs to the right-rear quarter panel from damaged sustained when another car got into the back of Harvick during intense two and three-wide close racing. Harvick restarted 23rd on lap 49.

Wasting no time, Harvick moved into 12th by lap 55 was in the ninth position when the yellow flag again slowed the race for a multi-car accident. Pumped with a fast car, Harvick radioed the team that the recent changes had improved the car and that he was in good shape. The team pitted for four tires and fuel. With enough fuel to get to the end, Harvick restarted 13th on lap 64.

Moving back into the top 10, Harvick ran as high as sixth before several cautions at the end of the race forced a green-white-checker finish where Harvick crossed the finish line 10th. Clint Bowyer won the race from the pole position, followed by Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and Kasey Kahne.

Next on the Nationwide Series Schedule:

Date: July 10, 2009

Track: Chicagoland Speedway

Event Name: Dollar General 300

Driver: Kevin Harvick

Sponsor: Jimmy John’s

- Kevin Harvick Inc. Press Release