Following A Forgettable 2009, Harvick Needs a Memorable 2010
kevinharvick.com
News out of the Richard Childress Racing camp on Monday was probably some of the best we’ve had from the organization in an otherwise dismal season overall.
Kevin Harvick will return in 2010 to honor the remaining season on his current contract with RCR, thus silencing a multitude of rumors over recent weeks that Harvick may be looking to bolt ship after this season.
Granted, things have been very, very bad for Harvick this season, the worst season he’s endured in his nearly 10-year Sprint Cup career. He enters this weekend’s race at Atlanta in a dismal 24th place.
Even worse: Harvick has just two top-5s and one other top-10 finish in the first 24 races. He also hasn’t won a race since 2007. And almost incredulously, he’s led a TOTAL of just nine laps all season. This, coming from a guy who led nearly 900 laps back in 2006.
Of course, Harvick’s teammates haven’t fared all that much better. One season after Harvick, Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer all made the Chase for the Sprint Cup, none of them will in 2009. Burton is currently in 18th position, while Bowyer is 15th. Even newcomer Casey Mears is ranked higher than Harvick, sitting in 20th spot.
When team owner Richard Childress decided to split up Harvick and longtime crew chief Todd Berrier earlier this season, he thought such a shake-up would get Harvick and the No. 29 on the right track.
Unfortunately, the move has done just the opposite, prompting some observers to wonder if one of the reasons Harvick may have decided to stay with RCR for 2010 is if Childress reunites him with Berrier at some point either later this season or going into next season.
It couldn’t hurt, that’s for sure. After all, since Harvick and Berrier paired up following the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt nearly a decade ago, they’ve had some very strong seasons, including qualifying for the Chase the last three seasons before this year’s debacle.
If history is any indication, Harvick will have a huge bounce back next season. Take 2001 through 2003 as an example: he finished ninth in his rookie year, dropped down to 21st in 2002, and then had one of the best comebacks of any driver in 2003, finishing fifth in the final standings.
Given that he finished fourth in the points last year, followed by this year’s forgettable campaign, perhaps Harvick will be able to stage a major rally to regain his old form in 2010.
He and his fans can only hope.
There likely also was one other reason why Harvick is returning to RCR: pride. After the strong seasons he’s enjoyed there in the past, you have to wonder if he could have lived with himself upon leaving the organization after his worst season ever there?
On the contrary. Harvick is the type of driver that loves challenges and putting his critics in their place. What better way to achieve both goals than to come back in 2010 with a huge rebound upward in the standings?
Harvick has taken some unfair criticism from the media this season. I feel for him. He’s only been trying to do his best. Let’s see some of those same reporters who talk the talk try to walk the walk and do better than Harvick.
They can’t, plain and simple. Sure, it’s easy to criticize and kick a guy when he’s down, but what will they do when he bounces back next season? Claim they predicted it, that they criticized to inspire him?
Wrong. Harvick will bounce back and return to old form for one reason and one reason only: because he’s a better winner than a loser.
And even if he ultimately leaves RCR after next season, he’ll likely be leaving on much better ground and standing than if he would have departed after such a disappointing and dejecting campaign in 2009.
I don’t understand your positive outlook on 2010. The 29 has had 1 win in 3 seasons and this season Richard Childress saddled the 29 with arguably RCR’s worst crew chief in Gil Martin and by far the slowest pit crew. That was his idea of a swap, but it helped the 07 and hurt the 29. Harvick is OUT in 2011 and Richard Childress will give him the organizations weakest equipment in 2010. While you might think positive most Harvick fans know better. The lame duck year of 2010 might be worse then 2009 and it is not even over yet. RCR races for consistency and top 10’s NOT wins or championships.
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