No. 33 Rheem / Menards Chevrolet Impala

MENARD BACK IN KANSAS: Paul Menard returns to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet Impala this weekend as the NASCAR Nationwide Series heads to Kansas Speedway for the 30th race of the season. In five starts at the track, Menard has collected three top-10 finishes. The driver topped qualifying in his first start in the series at the track in 2004.

MAKE IT TEN: In the Nationwide Series, KHI has nine starts at Kansas. With fourth-place results, KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick (2010 and 2009) and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart (2006) share the record for the organization’s best finish at the 1.5-mile Kansas City, Kan., facility. Harvick scored KHI its one pole at the track in 2008.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Clint Bowyer rejoined the No. 33 KHI team as the Nationwide Series headed to Dover International Speedway for the OneMain Financial 200. Bowyer climbed behind the wheel of the Rheem Chevrolet Impala and qualified in the fourth position for the Saturday afternoon contest. The driver fought among the top five for the entire day before finishing in the third position.

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 33 KHI team has selected chassis No. 071 for the race this weekend’s race at Kansas. This particular chassis has seen competition eight times thus far this season. Menard has piloted No. 071 three times with a best finish of third at Texas Motor Speedway in April.

Paul Menard - Photo Credit: John Harrelson / Getty Images

“I really like Kansas. I won my first Nationwide Series pole here in 2004. It’ll be great to head back there this week. KHI has a really strong intermediate-track program. We’ve had some great finishes together so far this season but it’d be great to get No. 33 Rheem/Menards Chevrolet into victory lane on Saturday.”

About Menards:

With 263 stores in 13 Midwestern states, Menards has the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.

- Kevin Harvick Inc. Press Release

No. 33 Rheem Heating Chevrolet Impala Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCAR

Second fastest was Aric Almirola with a lap speed of 155.487 mph, and was followed by Brad Keselowski (155.030) who was third fastest, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (154.760) fourth fastest and Kenny Wallace (154.740) was fifth fastest.

Rounding out the top-ten fastest during “Happy Hour” were Carl Edwards (154.725) who was sixth fastest, Elliott Sadler (154.591) seventh, Steve Wallace (154.030) eighth, Jason Leffler (153.739) ninth and Sam Hornish Jr. (153.557) was the tenth fastest.

The teams will return to the track Saturday afternoon for their 3:35 PM (EDT) scheduled qualifying session, which will determine the starting lineup for that evening’s race (scheduled to get underway approximately around 7:50 PM – EDT).

2011 NNS Federated Auto Parts 300 Final Practice Session Speeds

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series
# Denotes Rookie
* Required to Qualify on Time

Kevin Harvick Foundation (KHF)

Harvick, a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion, will drive the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Impala show car around the warning track on his way to the pitcher’s mound to throw out the first pitch. Immediately following the first pitch, he and his wife, DeLana, will accept a $50,000 donation to the Kevin Harvick Foundation from Rheem.

“DeLana and I are really looking forward to this event,” said Harvick. “Together with Rheem we took a group of kids to the beach at Daytona (Fla.) last summer and this year, we’re heading to the ballpark. Rheem has been a wonderful partner and with their generous donation, the Kevin Harvick Foundation will not only be able to bring these kids to the ballgame but support and benefit so many more children.”

“Rheem is pleased to continue working with the Kevin Harvick Foundation to support the well being of children throughout our nation. By sponsoring wonderful events like this one benefiting the Manchester Boys & Girls Club, we know that our support will help the Kevin Harvick Foundation to continue the important work of providing meaningful assistance to other children throughout the U.S.,” said Ed Raniszeski, Rheem corporate director of marketing. “This is now the second year that we’ve joined with Kevin and DeLana Harvick and their Foundation to bring a fun-filled, entertaining event to children in one of NASCAR’s racing communities who may never otherwise get a chance to attend a professional ballgame, a NASCAR race or meet a champion racecar driver. Childhood is a time for innocence and dreaming, and Rheem is grateful for the opportunity to play a small part today in making the dreams of children come alive in Manchester.”

The Kevin Harvick Foundation and Rheem are also providing the group of children with tickets to the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 16. The No. 33 Rheem Heating, Cooling and Water Heating Chevrolet Impala, which will be driven by Harvick, will carry a special decal commemorating the ballpark event.

About the Kevin Harvick Foundation:

Established in 2010 by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick and his wife, DeLana, the mission of the Kevin Harvick Foundation is to support programs that positively enrich the lives of children throughout the United States. The foundation works to not only improve the quality of life, but to help underprivileged youth find and realize their dreams by supporting programs such as the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund at California State University, Bakersfield, Kevin’s Krew, Kevin Harvick Foundation Chase Your Dreams Scholarships and a camper cabin at Victory Junction.

About Rheem:

Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is privately held, with headquarters in Atlanta. In its 86th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Raypak, Ruud and Rheem, have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water-heating supplier to Kevin Harvick, Inc. (KHI) and is the primary sponsor of NASCAR’s Nationwide Series “Driver of the Decade” Kevin Harvick and his No. 33 car.

- Kevin Harvick Inc. Press Release

No. 33 Rheem Heating Chevrolet Impala Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCAR

Kevin Harvick

No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Nationwide Series Race 14 of 34 – Chicagoland Speedway

HARVICK GOING FOR NUMBER THREE: The NASCAR Nationwide Series will take the action to Chicagoland Speedway where Kevin Harvick will race for win number three at the track this Saturday behind the wheel of the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Impala. In eight starts at the 1.5-mile D-shaped oval, the Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) co-owner has two wins, one pole, four top-five and five top-10 finishes. The driver has led 94 laps around the Joliet, Ill. facility and has an average starting position of 5.8 and average finish of 13.0.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: Chicagoland Speedway, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2011, welcomes the Nationwide Series as the first of NASCAR’s top-three series to hit the track this season. In its 10-year history, two-time Nationwide Series champion Harvick has collected two wins (2007 and 2005) while racing for Richard Childress Racing. KHI, which also celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has yet to earn a victory at Chicagoland. Harvick will look to capture his third series win and first in his own equipment at the track.

CHASING A RECORD: Should Harvick finish in the top 10 this weekend, he would tie Tommy Houston’s Nationwide Series record of 198 top-10 finishes. Harvick currently has 270 starts, 37 wins, 22 poles, 139 top-five and 197 top-10 finishes in the series. Over the course of 13 years of competition, he has led 7,078 laps.

CHASSIS HISTORY: The No. 33 Rheem team has prepared chassis No. 063 for this weekend’s event at Chicagoland Speedway. This will mark the first time this particular chassis will be used this season.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Kevin Harvick piloted the No. 33 Rheem Tankless Water Heaters Chevrolet Impala to a 16th-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway last weekend. Harvick started the 200-lap event from the second position. The driver led 33 laps and held track position among the top-five for most of the race until he suffered a flat tire after contact with another competitor on a restart with only 45 laps to go. The KHI crew put fresh left-side tires on the No. 33 and Harvick fought hard over the remaining laps to finish in the 16th position, one lap down.

HARVICK’S THOUGHTS ON RACING AT CHICAGOLAND:

“Chicagoland has been a good track to us, but it’s been a while since I’ve made it to victory lane there. We started from the pole last season and finished in the top 10. It’d be great to start from the pole this weekend and get the No. 33 Rheem Chevy to victory lane.

“This track is unique. You can go through the corners pretty much wide open. You can let off sooner than you do at most places we go to, and you can drive it all the way through the corners under power. There is a lot more throttle there than most places. You get back in the gas a lot quicker there too, compared to other places.”

About Rheem:

Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta. In its 86th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Raypak, Ruud and Rheem, have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water-heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing (RCR), Kevin Harvick, Inc. (KHI) and is a primary sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 Sprint Cup Series car and KHI’s No. 33 Nationwide Series car and Camping World Truck Series No. 2 truck. Harvick was named Nationwide Series “Driver of the Decade” in 2010.

- Kevin Harvick, Inc., Press Release

Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick

No. 33 Rheem Tankless Water Heaters Chevrolet Impala

NASCAR Nationwide Series Race 13 of 34 – Charlotte Motor Speedway

HARVICK RETURNS: Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) co-owner Kevin Harvick returns to the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Rheem Tankless Water Heaters Chevrolet Impala this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion has 19 starts at the Concord, N.C. track, which most in the sport consider their “home track.” Harvick boasts a record with three poles, two top-five and 11 top-10 finishes, but is still searching for a win at the 1.5-mile facility. The driver has led 127 laps at Charlotte and has a best finish of third (2004).

KHI AT CHARLOTTE: The 1.5-mile Concord track remains one of 15 tracks on the Nationwide Series schedule at which KHI does not have a pole award. While Harvick has three poles to his credit, none have come behind the wheel of a KHI vehicle.

Charlotte also remains one of 17 tracks at which the organization has yet to score a victory in the series. KHI has scored two wins (2009, 2007) with driver Ron Hornaday in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

CHASSIS HISTORY: Crew chief David Hyder and the No. 33 team will unload chassis No. 071 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This chassis has competed in three events this season with top-10 results. Harvick piloted the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet to at third-place finish at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. back in March. Paul Menard brought the KHI team a back-to-back third-place finish the following week at Texas Motor Speedway. This chassis was also used at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway at the beginning of this month with Clint Bowyer behind the wheel. Bowyer collected a sixth-place finish.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Austin Dillon wheeled the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Impala to a 10th-place finish at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, May 22. Dillon, in his second start with the KHI team, started from the third position after NASCAR canceled qualifying for the third consecutive week due to inclement weather and set the field according to Owner’s Points. The young driver fought a loose-handling race car and battled his way to the top-10 result. Dillon has two additional races with the No. 33 team this season, Nashville Superspeedway and Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis in July.

HARVICK’S THOUGHTS ON CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY:

“Charlotte is one of those places where I seem to run well, but haven’t had the finishes that I would like to have had. We’ve run well at the mile-and-a-half tracks so far this season. I’m really hoping we can get this Rheem Tankless Water Heater Chevrolet into victory lane on Saturday.”

About Rheem:

Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta. In its 86th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Raypak, Ruud and Rheem, have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water-heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing (RCR), Kevin Harvick, Inc. (KHI) and is a primary sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 Sprint Cup Series car and KHI’s No. 33 Nationwide Series car and Camping World Truck Series No. 2 truck. Harvick was named Nationwide Series “Driver of the Decade” in 2010.

- Kevin Harvick, Inc., Press Release

No. 33 Rheem Heating Chevrolet Impala Photo Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images for NASCAR

At top of the speed chart it was Austin Dillon, with a lap speed of 132.520 mph, posting the fastest lap during “Happy Hour,” while Michael McDowell (132.381) was second fastest, Justin Allgaier (132.331) third, Reed Sorenson (132.258) fourth and Brian Scott (132.075) posting the fifth fastest lap.

Rounding out the top-ten fastest were Elliott Sadler (132.009) who was sixth fastest, Drew Herring (131.899) seventh, Aric Almirola (131.838) eighth, Jason Leffler (131.821) ninth and Carl Edwards (131.772) was tenth fastest.

The John Deere Dealers 250 is scheduled to get underway a little after 2:00 PM (EDT) on Sunday.

2011 NNS John Deere Dealers 250 Final Practice Session Speeds

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series
# Denotes Rookie

No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Impala

Sharing the front row with Bowyer, and with a qualifying lap speed of 180.600 mph, will be Landon Cassill, and they will be followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. (180.592) starting third, Danica Patrick (180.480) starting fourth and Justin Allgaier (180.455) starting in the fifth position.

Rounding out the top-ten starting positions will be Joey Logano (180.018) starting sixth, Trevor Bayne (179.914) seventh, Kyle Busch (179.860) eighth, Carl Edwards (179.745) ninth and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (179.673) will be starting in the tenth position.

This was Bowyer’s ninth series career pole and his second series pole at Daytona International Speedway.

Failing to make the starting lineup were the #79 driven by Jennifer Jo Cobb and the #55 driven by Brett Rowe.

The DRIVE4COPD 300 is scheduled to get underway at 1:15 PM (EST) Saturday.

2011 NNS DRIVE4COPD 300 Starting Lineup

(i) Ineligible for Points in this Series

Cale Gale, No. 2 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado

Rheem entered NASCAR as an associate sponsor in 2007 and stepped up as a primary NASCAR Nationwide Series sponsor of KHI’s No. 33 Chevrolet in 2008 with Gale driving the company’s first Nationwide race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The Rheem Racing program now includes sponsorship of NASCAR’s Canadian Tire Series, Camping World Truck Series, Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series.

The 25-year-old Gale, named after legendary NASCAR driver Cale Yarborough, racked up an average starting position of 6.8 in six Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Series starts, an even more impressive finishing position average of 3.5 and scored his first win in 2006. He made a combined 27 NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series starts from 2006 to 2008 for KHI. Gale’s 11th Nationwide Series start was in the now-familiar black and red Rheem Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway in 2008. That same year, Gale won the pole in the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway finishing fourth.

One of the many driver casualties of the recession, Gale went on to drive for Rheem in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2009 along with competing in super late models throughout the southeastern United States. In 2010, the former Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway super-stock and late-model champion, made his debut as a crew chief in the ARCA Racing Series for Richard Childress Racing as well as working as a shock specialist and race-day engineer for Turner Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

“There are many, many things Rheem likes about Cale Gale, including his driving ability and rich driving heritage. But, what Rheem most appreciates about Cale is his tenacity, dedication and sincere commitment to achieving excellence at the highest levels of professional stock car racing,” said JR Jones, Rheem CEO and President.

In addition to putting Gale in the seat of six Camping World Truck Series races this season, Rheem is also the primary sponsor of Gale’s No. 83 Rheem Chevrolet Super Late Model car. Recently, Gale put the Rheem No. 83 on the pole at Pensacola’s famed Snowball Derby while setting a new track qualifying record of 16:33.

The lack of sponsors at every level of racing due to the economy has threatened to discourage talented young drivers to pursue their dreams as well as to reduce the ability of NASCAR’s leading racing teams to invest in driver development. Ed Raniszeski, Rheem Corporate Director of Marketing who is responsible for the Rheem Racing program said, “Racing is an important part of our marketing program. The Rheem Way is to focus on excellence at every level of the process; it is difficult to achieve or sustain quality without investing at each step of product development and customer satisfaction. That belief is at the core of the Rheem culture, so it is natural for Rheem to be involved from the highest to the most fundamental levels of racing. It is good for our company and our brands to help support the future quality of racing.”

In 2011, Gale takes another step on the journey he began with his father and racing coach, Bubba Gale, at age four. Before the racing season closes at Pensacola’s Snowball Derby, Gale will have racked up more high quality seat time than at any time in his career. “I am so thankful to Rheem for stepping up to support and believe in me. It is an opportunity of a lifetime; I am looking forward to being back behind the wheel at the NASCAR level representing my great sponsor Rheem as well as being back with KHI,” said Gale.

Gale will drive the No. 2 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas (Nev.) Speedway and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

- Rheem Manufacturing Company Press Release

Kevin Harvick

SUCCESS IN THE DESERT:

In addition to his success on the track in the Nationwide Series, Harvick has 15 Cup starts with two victories, three top-five and six top-10 finishes. In the Truck Series, Harvick has 10 starts with four wins (all in KHI-owned trucks), five top-five and five top-10 finishes.

TRIPLE EFFECT? THINK AGAIN: This week will mark the first time in four years that Harvick will not pilot a KHI truck in the Camping World Truck Series in the November event at the one-mile Phoenix track. For his competitors, this could be a good thing. Harvick has won the last two Truck Series events at the track and has won four of the last five Truck Series races he has entered at PIR. To say this is one of his favorite tracks may be an understatement, but this year, Harvick will step aside and hand the reins of the No. 2 truck over to Richard Childress Racing teammate Clint Bowyer and focus his attention on a double dose, competing in the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series and the No. 29 Shell Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series.

ELITE GROUP: Harvick became the first driver at PIR to win a race in all three of NASCAR’s elite series by scoring his first Truck Series win in 2002, followed by a sweep in 2006 of the Nationwide and Cup Series events. Kyle Busch has also completed this task at PIR. Harvick is one of only five drivers to accomplish this feat of winning in all three of NASCAR’s top Series at the same track and one of only 20 drivers to win in all three series.

In addition to his wins at PIR, Harvick completed this same feat at Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this year when he won the NASCAR Truck Series event in March. To accompany his Truck win, Harvick won his first career Sprint Cup Series race at the 1.5-mile track in 2001 and earned his first Nationwide Series win at the track in 2009.

BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER KEVIN HARVICK:

Does Phoenix fall into the same category as a short track like Martinsville or Richmond? “I don’t really see Phoenix as a short track. Even though places like Phoenix and New Hampshire are only a mile, they both have a lot of room to race. Phoenix is always a fun race track. There are always at least two lanes, and sometimes even more, to pass.”

What makes Phoenix International Raceway a good track for you?: “Phoenix is a place for me that’s a lot of fun just because it’s a place where I grew up racing and the track hasn’t changed a whole lot. Obviously the surroundings have changed a little bit on the outside, but it’s a place that I enjoy going to. I enjoy the flat tracks and it creates a unique challenge because the asphalt’s worn out and it’s got a lot of cracks and crevices. It’s one of those places where you have to get your car to handle a little bit differently on each end and you have to drive a little different on each end. You have to get your car to handle and have good forward bite up off the corner.”

What is your favorite memory from Phoenix? “A lot of things have happened at Phoenix. I have been fortunate to win in all three divisions. I ran one of my first truck races there in a truck that we built ourselves and was fortunate to win. I grew up racing at Phoenix. That was kind of like our Daytona every year for the Southwest Tour and Winston West. It is a good place to race and always a lot of fun to go back and see friends and family you don’t see a lot. There are just a lot of memories on the track and off the track. I don’t know if I can narrow it down to just one.”

CHASSIS HISTORY: For the 34th stop of the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, the No. 33 Rheem team will unload chassis No. 058 for team co-owner Harvick. Most recently, this chassis was piloted by Mike Bliss at Gateway (Ill.) International Raceway where he earned the fourth starting position and led 10 laps before coming up one spot short to finish second. This chassis’ previous on-track appearances include the July race at Gateway International Raceway where Harvick started the race 10th and following a late-race accident finished 16th, New Hampshire Motor Speedway where Harvick started the race third and led six laps before finishing seventh. Prior to New Hampshire, this chassis was on track at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway where Harvick finished the race seventh and the race earlier this season at Phoenix International Raceway where Harvick scored a second-place finish.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Entering the final three-race stretch of the 2010 season, Harvick piloted the No. 33 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet from the second position to an eighth-place finish during the 33rd stop of the 2010 Nationwide Series season in the Lone Star State at Texas Motor Speedway. Fighting a loose-handling car from the start of the race, Harvick overcame a bad set of tires and a slow pit stop to earn the team’s 28th top-10 finish of the year.

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER? Twitter users can now keep up-to-date with Kevin Harvick Inc.’s NASCAR Nationwide Series by following @KHI_NNS. In addition, you can follow KHI’s Truck Series teams @KHI_TruckSeries. Want more from KHI? Follow KHI’s co-owners Kevin and DeLana Harvick @KevinHarvick and @DeLanaHarvick.

About Rheem:

Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is a privately held company with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. In its 81st year of operation, the company distributes throughout North America and world markets an award-winning line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating, cooling, water heating, whole-home standby generators, controls, pool and spa heaters, indoor air purification products and commercial boilers. The nation’s leading consumer products review magazine recently reported that Rheem products have been rated most reliable among all leading brands by tens of thousands of consumers. The premium brands of Rheem Manufacturing Company include Ruud, Raypak and Rheem. Rheem Manufacturing Company is the primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick Inc.’s No. 33 Chevrolet Nationwide® Series car and is an associate sponsor of KHI’s No 33 truck in the Camping World Truck Series.

About Kevin Harvick Inc.:

Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001 by Kevin and DeLana Harvick, is an 80,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. Home of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship team, KHI enters 2010 in its seventh full year of competition with two full-time Truck Series teams and one full-time Nationwide Series team. Four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday returns to the helm of the No. 33 Truck team looking for his fifth title and third championship for KHI (2009 and 2007), while Sprint Cup series stars Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler guide the No. 2 Truck team. Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Harvick will again shine as the lead driver of the No. 33 Nationwide Series team as he continues to make his mark in motorsports and establish KHI as one of the top teams in NASCAR competition. For more information about KHI and its teams, please visit www.KevinHarvickInc.com.

- Kevin Harvick, Inc., Press Release

Kevin Harvick Inc.

Returning to KHI for their fourth and fifth years, Rheem will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 33 KHI Chevrolet for 22 races throughout each season.

“We’re very excited to have Rheem continue its program with KHI and the No. 33 car in the Nationwide Series for the 2011 and 2012 seasons,” said KHI team co-owner Kevin Harvick. “Over the last three years, we’ve watched Rheem increasingly move up their involvement from a few races to now being a major player in the Nationwide Series and one of KHI’s most reliable and most active partners. To have participated in their growth and to see them bring new partners into the mix is very exciting.”

No. 33 Rheem Manufacturing Company Chevrolet Impala

JR Jones, Rheem Chief Executive Officer said, “Rheem’s worldwide reputation for quality, reliability, innovation and outstanding service is supported by the business partners we have. We carefully choose our associates based on their equal dedication to performance excellence and their ability to consistently deliver reliable results to customers. Our long association with Kevin and DeLana Harvick and the entire KHI team is a perfect example of quality people and organizations coming together to form one great team.”

Rheem Manufacturing will continue as the Official Heating, Cooling and Water Heating Provider to KHI as well as tothe Kevin Harvick Foundation.

No. 33 Rheem / Menards Chevrolet Impala SS

For the Menards races, Harvick will share the driver’s seat with Paul Menard and a variety of RCR drivers. This will mark the first time that multiple drivers will pilot the Menards car during a season. Menard has driven the familiar Menards paint scheme in both the Nationwide and Cup series throughout his career and will continue the tradition next season as he joins KHI in the Nationwide Series.

About Rheem:

Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is a privately held company with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. In its 81st year of operation, the company distributes throughout North America and world markets an award-winning line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating, cooling, water heating, whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters, indoor air purification products and commercial boilers.

The nation’s leading consumer products review magazine recently reported that Rheem air conditioning products have been rated most reliable among all leading brands by tens of thousands of consumers. Richmond, one of Rheem Manufacturing Company’s premium brands, has for over 50 years been known for exceptional reliability, excellent value and trusted after-sale support. Richmond water heating products are available at all Menards Home Centers.

About Menards:

With 255 stores in 12 Midwestern states, Menards has the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember. Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.

About Kevin Harvick Inc.:

Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001 by Kevin and DeLana Harvick, is an 80,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. Home of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship team, KHI enters 2010 in its seventh full year of competition with two full-time Truck Series teams and one full-time Nationwide Series team. Four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday returns to the helm of the No. 33 Truck team looking for his fifth title and third championship for KHI (2009 and 2007), while Sprint Cup series stars Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler guide the No. 2 Truck team. Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Harvick will again shine as the lead driver of the No. 33 Nationwide Series team as he continues to make his mark in motorsports and establish KHI as one of the top teams in NASCAR competition. For more information about KHI and its teams, please visit www.KevinHarvickInc.com.

- Kevin Harvick Inc. Press Release

Max Papis

Second fastest on the speed chart with a speed of 96.645 mph, was Jacques Villeneuve, followed by Marcos Ambrose (96.635) who was third fastest, Jason Leffler  (96.481) fourth fastest, Patrick Carpentier (96.292) fifth, Boris Said (96.188) sixth, Joey Logano (96.064) seventh, Robby Gordon (96.035) eighth, Carl Edwards (95.890) ninth and Brad Keselowski (95.616) rounding out the top-ten fastest in “Happy Hour.”

Qualifying (for Sunday’s race @ 2:30 PM) is scheduled to start at 5:05 PM (EST) this afternoon.

2010 NNS NAPA Auto Parts 200 Final Practice Session Speeds

# Denotes Rookie
* Required to Qualify on Time

Kevin Harvick Inc.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM:

Papis is no stranger to the road course of Montreal, having run all three Nationwide Series races at the track. With three starts in the series at the track, Papis has two starts on the outside pole (2008 and 2007). In 2007, when KHI co-owner Kevin Harvick won the inaugural race, Papis earned his career-best NASCAR finish of third among the top-three series (Cup, Nationwide and Truck).

Having success in many areas of racing, Papis has recorded three wins in the former CART Series and has been one of the top competitors in American sports car racing. He posted an overall win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2002 and 2000, as well as a Grand-American Rolex Sports Car Series championship in 2004. As a member of GM’s Corvette Racing team, Papis has recorded two wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans, as well as two runner-up finishes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER MAX PAPIS:
Making your first start for KHI at Montreal, can you talk about the opportunity to run for KHI with the success the team has had this year? “I think it is just an honor to be able to be in this situation and come over and see what KHI has, it proves that all the hard work that I have done so far is worth it. The goal we have for me is to go there (Montreal) and do the best that I can. I am very confident that with the equipment that we have here at KHI, that we are going to be out there contending for success. I see a lot of very good chemistry at KHI and I sense a good level of professionalism, but at the same time, they keep things simple, and that is kind of like my personality. I am a very dedicated person to what I do, but at the same time, I am just Max Papis from Como Village in North side of Italy.”

This will mark your fourth start at Montreal, with your best finish being third in 2007. What about Montreal and road-course racing is good for you? “I know that people kind of look at me all the time like a road-course racer, but actually, I have many ovals under my belt between Champ car, Indy 500 and everything else. Road courses are kind of how I opened the door to NASCAR for me, testing for Hendrick Motorsports with the COT. And, about Montreal, I went there the first time driving a Champ Car back in 2000 (I think) and when I jumped in a stock car, I had really good success. I was the guy pushing Kevin on the last lap when he actually won this race a couple of years ago, three years ago, and I finished third. I have a couple of starts on the outside pole. I don’t really have a preference over one race track or another, but what I really enjoy the most about Montreal, I really enjoy the atmosphere and I think the Canadian fans are very passionate and you can definitely feel that it is a big event when you go there. It is not just a race, it’s a huge event and you feel the passion and I think that is what it counts for me. I am a guy who is also passionate for my sport and I really feel that is a unique event where there is this atmosphere where people come out because they really want to see NASCAR. For me, it’s just a pride to be able to represent, and I kind of feel like I am a hero of the two worlds in a way. I am Italian, but I came here in America and started with open wheel, but I am a NASCAR driver. I feel that a lot of people really identify with me, different people. Not just from the NASCAR fan, but from the open wheel guys and that’s why I feel like Montreal is this kind of mix. NASCAR is still new and they have a lot of history with open wheel cars, so people identify with me for what I have done before, but they have an interest in what I can do with these cars.”

CHASSIS HISTORY: This weekend the No. 33 Rheem team will unload chassis No. 060 for Papis. This chassis was brand new when team co-owner Harvick piloted it at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, starting the race from the third position and finishing in the same spot.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: Most recently racing under the lights of Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Elliott Sadler made his KHI Nationwide Series debut earning his first-career Nationwide Series pole at the ‘World’s Fastest Half-Mile.’ Starting from the pole position, Sadler ran most of the race in the top five, led 26 laps and finished solidly in the third position.

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER? Twitter users can now keep up-to-date with Kevin Harvick Inc.’s NASCAR Nationwide Series by following @KHI_NNS. In addition, you can follow KHI’s Truck Series teams @KHI_TruckSeries. Want more from KHI? Follow KHI’s co-owners Kevin and DeLana Harvick @KevinHarvick and @DeLanaHarvick.

About Rheem:

Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is a privately held company with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. In its 81st year of operation, the company distributes throughout North America and world markets an award-winning line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating, cooling, water heating, whole-home standby generators, controls, pool and spa heaters, indoor air purification products and commercial boilers. The nation’s leading consumer products review magazine recently reported that Rheem products have been rated most reliable among all leading brands by tens of thousands of consumers. The premium brands of Rheem Manufacturing Company include Ruud, Raypak and Rheem. Rheem Manufacturing Company is the primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick Inc.’s No. 33 Chevrolet Nationwide® Series car and is an associate sponsor of KHI’s No 33 truck in the Camping World Truck Series.

About Kevin Harvick Inc.:
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001 by Kevin and DeLana Harvick, is an 80,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. Home of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship team, KHI enters 2010 in its seventh full year of competition with two full-time Truck Series teams and one full-time Nationwide Series team. Four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday returns to the helm of the No. 33 Truck team looking for his fifth title and third championship for KHI (2009 and 2007), while Sprint Cup series stars Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler guide the No. 2 Truck team. Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Harvick will again shine as the lead driver of the No. 33 Nationwide Series team as he continues to make his mark in motorsports and establish KHI as one of the top teams in NASCAR competition. For more information about KHI and its teams, please visit www.KevinHarvickInc.com.

- Kevin Harvick, Inc., Press Release

NNS Elliott Sadler - Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

“I had a ball, I felt like a little 16-year-old kid running up front, running for the lead and racing with these guys that race every single week,” said Sadler after the race. “It was a ton of fun to sit on the pole and be competitive all race. I got a little too tight at the end. I used up my tires from lap 170 to 190 trying to get around Brad (Keselowski) and just got a little too tight at the end. But, I had a ball. The car is in one piece, not a scratch on it, and we ran up front and were competitive all race. We’re going to call that a pretty good race.”

Scoring his first Nationwide Series pole since April 4,1998 at Texas Motor Speedway, Sadler ran most of the 250-lap event in the top five before finishing third. With the green flag in the air, Sadler slipped a few positions at the start of the race, falling to third and radioing the team on lap 14 that he needed more rear grip.

Moving in on lapped traffic, Sadler continued to run third as he maneuvered his way around competitors. On lap 50, Sadler radioed crew chief Ernie Cope that the water temperature of the car was rising due to either trash on the grill or too much tape. Hoping for a caution to check on the car, the team received the needed break on lap 58 when the first caution of the night waved. Sadler pitted for four tires, fuel, an air-pressure adjustment and to clean and remove tape from the grill of the car. Sadler restarted sixth on lap 61.

Taking over third on lap 67, the caution again waved on lap 81. Under caution, Sadler reported that the car was a little too tight in the center and that he could use more front grip. Debating on pit strategies, Cope made the call to bring Sadler to pit road for four tires, fuel and air-pressure and track-bar adjustments. Good to the end of the race on fuel, Sadler was 15th on the lap 89 restart.

Shuffled back in the pack on the restart, Sadler patiently worked to get around competitors’ cars, not wanting to take any chances and damage the Rheem Chevrolet. The caution flag waved again on lap 116 with Sadler running 13th, but after the leaders pitted on lap 119, Sadler was scored second on the lap 123 restart. Taking a few laps to get going, Sadler took over the lead on lap 129. Leading the next 26 laps, Sadler slipped to third on lap 155 while in heavy lapped traffic.

Continuing to run in the third spot, Sadler radioed the team on lap 170 that he had picked up a vibration in the brakes from the heat and needed to cool them off. With the top-four cars holding a slight lead, Sadler moved from third to fourth while trying to use the brakes a little less and allowing them to cool off.

Avoiding being caught in multiple cautions that took place in front of the No. 33 car andmaintaining his position in the top five, Sadler moved as high as second on lap 193 and again on lap 234. With the final restart taking place on lap 240, Sadler restarted second, but slipped one position to third when the checkered flag waved. The finish marked Sadler’s second top-five finish at Bristol in the Nationwide Series.

Kyle Busch won his 10th Nationwide Series race this season, followed by Jason Leffler, Sadler, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Carl Edwards.

About Rheem:

Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is a privately held company with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. In its 81st year of operation, the company distributes throughout North America and world markets an award-winning line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating, cooling, water heating, whole-home standby generators, controls, pool and spa heaters, indoor air purification products and commercial boilers. The nation’s leading consumer products review magazine recently reported that Rheem products have been rated most reliable among all leading brands by tens of thousands of consumers. The premium brands of Rheem Manufacturing Company include Ruud, Raypak and Rheem. Rheem Manufacturing Company is the primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick Inc.’s No. 33 Chevrolet Nationwide® Series car and is an associate sponsor of KHI’s No 33 truck in the Camping World Truck Series.

About Kevin Harvick Inc.:
Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001 by Kevin and DeLana Harvick, is an 80,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. Home of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship team, KHI enters 2010 in its seventh full year of competition with two full-time Truck Series teams and one full-time Nationwide Series team. Four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday returns to the helm of the No. 33 Truck team looking for his fifth title and third championship for KHI (2009 and 2007), while Sprint Cup series stars Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler guide the No. 2 Truck team. Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Harvick will again shine as the lead driver of the No. 33 Nationwide Series team as he continues to make his mark in motorsports and establish KHI as one of the top teams in NASCAR competition. For more information about KHI and its teams, please visit www.KevinHarvickInc.com.

- Kevin Harvick Inc., Press Release

No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Impala

Elliott Sadler
No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Impala
Team Race Preview
NASCAR Nationwide Series Race 24 of 35 – Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway

ADDING TO AN ALL STAR LINE-UP: This week at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) welcomes another new addition to the No. 33 Nationwide Series team line up. Elliott Sadler will make his first start in the No. 33 car, but is no stranger in KHI equipment. Earlier this season, Sadler won the inaugural Truck Series race at Pocono (Penn.) Raceway behind the wheel of the No. 2 KHI Chevrolet.

Heading to his favorite track on the circuit, Sadler will pull triple duty this weekend as he makes his first Truck Series start at the 0.533-mile track on Wednesday night in the No. 2 truck, followed on Friday night in the No. 33 Nationwide Series car and conclude the weekend on Saturday night behind the wheel of the No. 19 Cup car.

In seven previous Nationwide Series starts at the ‘World’s Fastest Half-Mile,’ Sadler has one win, one top-five and one top-10 finish. He has led 99 laps and completed 80.7 percent of laps attempted (1413 of 1750 laps). This will mark Sadler’s first Nationwide Series start at the short track since 2008.

On the Cup side, Sadler will be making his 25th-career start at the famous Tennessee track. In his 24 previous starts, he has one win, three top-five and four top-10 finishes. He has led 113 laps and completed 90.3 percent of laps attempted (10853 of 12013 laps).

With a win in both the Nationwide and Cup Series, Sadler will be looking to add a Truck Series win to his Bristol résumé as he makes his first-career Truck Series start at the track.

BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER ELLIOTT SADLER:

This will mark your first Nationwide Series race for KHI. Having won at Truck race earlier this season for KHI, talk about the opportunity to now pilot the No. 33 Nationwide Series car. “It’s a huge honor for me. I can’t think KHI enough for giving me the opportunity they have in the trucks this year. Obviously, we’ve been pretty successful by winning a race and poles, running up front and leading laps. I’ve got to thank Kevin and DeLana (Harvick) for giving me this opportunity at Bristol, my favorite track. It’s going to be neat to pull triple duty. His (Kevin’s) cars are always fast. I’ve known Ernie Cope (crew chief) for a long time and I’m looking forward to working with him. I think we’re going to have a great night at Bristol.

Talk about pulling triple duty by running the Truck Series race on Wednesday night, the Nationwide Series race on Friday night and concluding with the Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday night. “If I had to pick a race track to do it at, this would be a perfect spot for me. I love this track more than anything and people know that, all the Elliott Sadler fans know that. The night race at Bristol just has this certain electricity about it and I get to experience it all three nights and I get to experience it in very competitive equipment. We know we are going to be very fast and hard to deal with in the truck, we know we are going to be very fast in the Nationwide car as well and also in the Cup car. To be able to run triple duty at a place like this is going to be a lot of fun for me and just looking forward to working with the guys on Nationwide side here (at KHI). Hopefully we’ll have the same success that we’ve been having in the trucks and move on from that.

With Bristol being one of your favorite tracks and having had success at the track, what’s the perfect lap around Bristol? “The perfect lap around Bristol – You’ve got to get your car to turn in the middle and have good forward bite off (the corners), and no matter what style of vehicle you are in, even though I have never been around Bristol in a truck yet, you’ve got to get it to turn in the middle. If we can do that, we’re going to have really good races all three nights. That’s the main thing I will be keying on when I get there.”

CHASSIS HISTORY: For the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway, the No. 33 team will unload chassis No. 055 for Sadler this week. This chassis was last used at Iowa Speedway where two-time Nationwide Series champion Kevin Harvick piloted the chassis from the seventh position to a solid second-place finish. Prior to Iowa, this chassis was on track at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway where Harvick started the race from the 18th position and finished sixth. The only other appearance this chassis has this season was the rain-delayed race at Texas Motor Speedway in April where the then brand-new chassis started the race 16th and finished fifth with Harvick behind the wheel.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: For the second new car race of season, the Nationwide Series unloaded at Michigan International Speedway. With team co-owner Harvick behind the wheel, the No. 33 team had a ‘freaky fast’ Jimmy John’s Chevrolet during practice, but qualified 15th, and from the start of the green flag fought a loose-handling car. Adjusting the car throughout the 125-lap event, Harvick ran as high as third before finishing the CARFAX 250 in the 10th position.

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER? Twitter users can now keep up-to-date with Kevin Harvick Inc.’s NASCAR Nationwide Series by following @KHI_NNS. In addition, you can follow KHI’s Truck Series teams @KHI_TruckSeries. Want more from KHI? Follow KHI’s co-owners Kevin and DeLana Harvick @KevinHarvick and @DeLanaHarvick.

Elliott Sadler Nationwide Stats at Bristol

Year   No.     Team    Start   Finish

2008   9       GG       4      21
1999   35      BA      24      24
1998   66      GB      28      32
1998   66      GB       3       1
1997   29      GB      32      41
1997   29      GB      28      14
1996   29      GB      25      13

*GG: George Gillett, Jr.
*BA: Bill Amick
*GB: Gary Bechtel

About Rheem:

Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is a privately held company with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. In its 81st year of operation, the company distributes throughout North America and world markets an award-winning line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating, cooling, water heating, whole-home standby generators, controls, pool and spa heaters, indoor air purification products and commercial boilers. The nation’s leading consumer products review magazine recently reported that Rheem products have been rated most reliable among all leading brands by tens of thousands of consumers. The premium brands of Rheem Manufacturing Company include Ruud, Raypak and Rheem. Rheem Manufacturing Company is the primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick Inc.’s No. 33 Chevrolet Nationwide® Series car and is an associate sponsor of KHI’s No 33 truck in the Camping World Truck Series.

About Kevin Harvick Inc.:

Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI), established in 2001 by Kevin and DeLana Harvick, is an 80,000 sq. ft. facility located in Kernersville, N.C. Home of the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship team, KHI enters 2010 in its seventh full year of competition with two full-time Truck Series teams and one full-time Nationwide Series team. Four-time Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday returns to the helm of the No. 33 Truck team looking for his fifth title and third championship for KHI (2009 and 2007), while Sprint Cup series stars Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler guide the No. 2 Truck team. Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Harvick will again shine as the lead driver of the No. 33 Nationwide Series team as he continues to make his mark in motorsports and establish KHI as one of the top teams in NASCAR competition. For more information about KHI and its teams, please visit www.KevinHarvickInc.com.

- Kevin Harvick, Inc., Press Release

Kevin Harvick

Second on the the speed chart with a lap speed of 187.445 mph, was Brendan Gaughan, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. (187.172) was third fastest, Trevor Bayne (187.145) fourth fastest, Michael Annett (187.141) fifth, Steve Arpin (187.130) sixth, Jason Leffler (187.122) seventh, Shelby Howard (186.672) eighth, Brad Keselowski (186.563) ninth and Tayler Malsam (186.335) rounds out the top-ten fastest.

Weather permitting, the teams will return to the track for their 5:30 PM (EST) scheduled final practice session, and qualifying for Friday night’s SUBWAY Jalapeno 250 is schedule to begin early in the afternoon on Friday at 1:05 PM (EST).

2010 NNS Subway Jalapeno 250 Second Practice Session Speeds