Chances of Harvick leaving RCR are "close to 100%"

[TeamBlueOval]

Harvick: Burned Bridges with RCR?: Richard Childress Racing has probably lost its faint chance to keep Kevin Harvick on the heels of Wednesday's devastating announcement that Shell/Pennzoil is moving to Penske Racing in 2011 to sponsor Kurt Busch in the Sprint Cup Series. RCR already faced a serious, uphill challenge in trying to retain Harvick, who is in the final year of his contract, even if it had managed to hold onto Pennzoil, sponsor of Harvick's #29 since 2007. Harvick, according to multiple sources reached by SI.com but never confirmed by the driver, wanted out of RCR at the end of last season, but team owner Richard Childress held him to the contract. The duo came out strong out of the gate this season -- they led the points after five races and are currently fourth, 141 behind Jimmie Johnson -- but the sour feelings between the two haven't changed. "Kevin has burned all his bridges here," said a source requesting anonymity following the news of Shell's departure. The source reiterated the chances of Childress and Harvick dissolving their marriage were close to 100%. Harvick is the top free agent driver on the market. His preferred destination is Stewart-Haas Racing, where he'd have Hendrick equipment. Tony Stewart is on the record as wanting to expand to three cars next season, dependent upon sponsorship. With Harvick to sell and the broad range of commercial possibilities available through the team's partner-like association with Hendrick, Stewart-Haas has far greater ability to find a sponsor for Harvick. Kasey Kahne's decision to join Rick Hendrick's organization in 2012 has led to widespread speculation that he'll be at Stewart-Haas in 2011. Kahne certainly will be in Hendrick equipment next season and it's the logical place. The other possibility would be for Hendrick to ask Mark Martin to vacate the #5 a year early to go to Stewart-Haas. In either situation, it would require Stewart-Haas to run four cars in 2011. That 's not beyond the team's reach and it's where Stewart wants to get eventually.(Sports Illustrated)

This doesn't surprise me one bit... Kevin is certainly the type to say/do things he shouldn't to people he's supposed to respect (i.e. Richard Childress).

[roosterrage]

I'd be happy if RCR got Reed to replace Harvick.

[RacingDude]

The way Harvick acts, I'm surprised he didn't lose his ride ages ago!

[mattemmy99]

I for ONE wouldn't miss Harvick *not what I call him during chats*....lol

Maybe HE should stayin in Cup JR and Truck series... LOL

[racinfan]

I think he will own his own ride possibly in '11...

[TeamBlueOval]

That's an interesting possibility. I don't know if KHI is ready to jump up to full time Cup racing next year, though.

Kevin refuted this report today, and said he was leaning towards staying at RCR... we'll see.

[racinfan]

Mhm, might be his only option. Do you think there is any chance of him doing something like what Tony did and buying another established team?

[TeamBlueOval]

No, I don't see that happening either. There are no established teams that are looking for a new owner that would be capable of running well.

I think we'll see him either stay at RCR or go to Stewart Haas.

[racinfan]

Hmm, I am just wondering where Kahne will go now...

[TeamBlueOval]

4th Stewart Haas car? Furniture Row second team (as in an extra Hendrick team running from their shop)? Have someone from HMS buy Phoenix Racing (which is for sale) and Hendrick "secretly" run that team for Kasey in 11?

[mattemmy99]

UGGG..HOW MANY TEAMS IS NASCAR GOING TO ALLOW HMS TO HELP???? this ticks me off,if its true....this keeps up,there will be no way any other team will be able to compete with HMS....I am NOT A HMS FAN,SO MAYBE I'M SEEING THIS ALL WRONG,but I don't think its fair,that TONY,can even buy his engines from HMS....LET Tony buy build his own...IF Tony wants HIS own team,then LET HIM build HIS own cars/engines...sorry,but I don't agree with RIck being able to have is "hand" on so many teams...

[yatesracing]

4th Stewart Haas car? Furniture Row second team (as in an extra Hendrick team running from their shop)? Have someone from HMS buy Phoenix Racing (which is for sale) and Hendrick "secretly" run that team for Kasey in 11?<<<Furniture Row second team (as in an extra Hendrick team running from their shop)? Can you see Roush running a Team from his Shop???????????????????????

[speedfan]

Kasey will not go to FR, if he is unhappy at RPM why on earth would he want to go from a C team to a D team

[TeamBlueOval]

Wherever Kasey goes (and I think Furniture Row is a possibility), it is NOT going to matter whose name is on the car. RICK HENDRICK will be the one in charge of WHATEVER Kasey is driving. He will have HENDRICK CHASIS, ENGINES, PERSONNEL, and SUPPORT. So, really, he could drive for some new "start-up" team that some person makes up, it won't matter. The team he drives for will be in name only because he will (in all actuality) be in a 5th HENDRICK car. Just have to have someone else's name on it so NASCAR will sign off.

[yatesracing]

Wherever Kasey goes (and I think Furniture Row is a possibility), it is NOT going to matter whose name is on the car. RICK HENDRICK will be the one in charge of WHATEVER Kasey is driving. He will have HENDRICK CHASIS, ENGINES, PERSONNEL, and SUPPORT. So, really, he could drive for some new "start-up" team that some person makes up, it won't matter. The team he drives for will be in name only because he will (in all actuality) be in a 5th HENDRICK car. Just have to have someone else's name on it so NASCAR will sign off.Isn't that exactly what I was saying when this Kasey deal came out and someone(I think it was you Andrew,not sure) said " Roush is doing the same thing".My answer to that is NO, he is not because Roush knows Nascar watches him like a hawk. Whatever Roush is doing will be to the letter of the law accordingly to NASCAR. Bet On It

[TeamBlueOval]

I completely disagree---Jack is doing the same thing. He is running the show at Roush and RPM. Hendrick is running the show at Hendrick and Stewart Haas (and wherever Kasey goes will be added to the list).

[yatesracing]

I completely disagree---Jack is doing the same thing. He is running the show at Roush and RPM. Hendrick is running the show at Hendrick and Stewart Haas (and wherever Kasey goes will be added to the list).What Roush is doing is exactly what he said they are doing. SELLING Chassis but you can bet the help is going in the opposite direction. RPM is helping Roush in Setups. This deal with RPM is working together in Tech Help but NOT OWING THE CARS. Those are Hendrick owned Cars not purchase cars Kasey will be driving. You certainly don't believe that Rouse OWES ANY OF THE RPM CARS. At least I hope you didn't mean that. Big Big difference..

[yatesracing]

Oh and I don't even like Roush and I would expect he is capable of most anything but to out smart Nascar NEVER (he could but he won't)