DESERT RUNNING: In 11 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR), Kevin Harvick has one win, seven top-five and eight top-10 finishes. He has one start (April 2007) here in a Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) Chevrolet, starting from the 35th position and crossing the finish line ninth.

Harvick has eight starts at PIR in the Truck Series, including two victories (2003, 2002) for KHI. With 10 starts in the Cup Series at PIR, Harvick also has two victories resulting from his 2006 sweep at the one-mile track. The 2007 Daytona 500 champion is the only driver to claim victories in all three of NASCAR’s elite series at PIR.

A FIRST: Harvick claimed his first Nationwide Series pole for KHI and his first of the 2008 season when inclement weather at Texas Motor Speedway caused the field for the O’Reilly 300 to be set by the Owner’s Point standings.

BEFORE THE RACE: QUOTES WITH DRIVER KEVIN HARVICK:

Why do you have so much success at Phoenix International Raceway?

“Phoenix is one of those places that I grew up racing on. I raced a lot in the Southwest Tour, Winston West and Truck Series races at Phoenix. I have learned the characteristics of the race track and the little things that you can do when your car is not handling perfect. I like the flat race tracks. Racing on Phoenix my entire career has also translated into flat track success on the entire circuit.”

As a full-time owner in the Nationwide Series, how has that changed you as a driver in the Cup Series?

 “I think from a driver’s standpoint it just helps you focus on the things that you need to focus on as a driver. You know there are a lot of things that happen behind the scenes (like) politics, personnel and sponsor relationships. There are certain things that take a long time to make changes and a certain way to make them happen. So it’s just a different perspective of thinking from a driver’s standpoint and understanding a lot of things that you really wouldn’t understand just on a normal week-to-week basis as a driver, just jumping in and out of the car.”

You've won a couple of races at Phoenix.  How much did the CoT change the racing at PIR?

 “The pace is a little bit slower. The cars fall off a little bit more. We had a good test there a couple of weeks ago and I’m sure the weather will be different when we go back. But the cars were a little bit faster than they were last time. The races have been different there than what they have been in the past. I think that will kind of come back as we get a better handle on the car every week.”

CHASSIS HISTORY: Chassis No. 041 will make its race debut when the No. 33 Camping World Chevrolet takes to the track for the Bashas’ Supermarkets 300 at Phoenix International Raceway. Previously this season, chassis No. 041 was used for testing at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway with drivers Harvick and Cale Gale.

PREVIOUS RACE RECAP: With qualifying rained out on Thursday evening at Texas Motor Speedway, Kevin Harvick and the No. 33 RoadLoans.com Chevrolet team started the O’Reilly 300 from the pole position. Harvick dominated the first 55 laps of the race relinquishing the lead on lap 56 for a scheduled green-flag stop. As the jack dropped, Harvick realized something was amiss and radioed the team the rear axle had broken. Harvick took the No. 33 to the garage for repairs. The team returned to the race on lap 79 in the 35th position 21 laps down. Harvick continued to run laps comparable to the leaders, but when the checkered flag waved, the No. 33 team settled for a disappointing 34th-place finish.

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