CUP: Friday Loudon Notebook

Sprint Cup

CUP: Friday Loudon Notebook

Kevin Harvick says he would have skipped race for birth of his son…

Mike Hembree | Posted July 13, 2012 Loudon, NH

Kevin Harvick won only once in 2012. (Photo: Getty Images)

HARVICK WILLING TO PLAY HOOKY - Was Kevin Harvick prepared to put his chance at a Sprint Cup championship in jeopardy to be present for the birth of his first child?

It didn’t come to that, but Friday Harvick said, yes, absolutely.

“I haven’t seen anything here that at all compares,” he said, referring to the Sunday birth of his son, Keelan.

Harvick’s wife, DeLana, began experiencing discomfort while at Daytona International Speedway last Friday as Harvick continued preparations for Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400.

Kevin and DeLana flew home to North Carolina Saturday, and Harvick said Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway he was prepared to stay at home if the birth appeared to be imminent. He returned to Daytona Beach mid-afternoon Saturday and competed in the race, then returned to North Carolina. Keelan was born Sunday morning.

Harvick could have missed Saturday’s race and still been in good shape to make the Chase, but he said Friday none of that mattered when compared to being with his wife for the birth of their son.

DRIVERS WAITING ON RESULTS –Drivers in the Sprint Cup garage are taking a wait-and-see attitude in reference to the recent suspension of AJ Allmendinger, who failed a recent drug test.

“I’m certainly shocked to see that, especially the way it unfolded so late in the day Saturday prior to the start of the race,” said Jimmie Johnson. “I reserve judgment. I just don’t know where the truth is and what is going on there.”

Kevin Harvick also expressed surprise that the announcement of Allmendinger’s temporary suspension came so close to the start of the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Beach.

“I don’t know what they found and, obviously, when you’re out there racing at 200 miles an hour, you want everybody to be right,” said Matt Kenseth. “That’s what the program is for, so if there was something wrong you don’t want to be out there with somebody if there’s something wrong with them.”

Allmendinger has requested that the so-called “B” sample from his test be checked. Results of that test are expected soon. Sam Hornish Jr., who filled in for Allmendinger last week, will be in the No. 22 Dodge again this week at New Hampshire.

Watch It, Dude – The Sprint Cup garage is a busy place immediately before, during and immediately after practice sessions. When the garage is relatively cramped, as is the case at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, every weekend typically has a close call or two.

One that was too close occurred Friday.

The corner of Greg Biffle’s Ford was slightly damaged when his car hit a generator cart that was being pulled by a member of Jimmie Johnson’s crew. The damage was repaired quickly, but the incident illustrates how dangerous movement in NASCAR garages can be.

Kenseth: The Wait Continues – Although it’s generally assumed that Matt Kenseth’s next Sprint Cup team stop will be Joe Gibbs Racing, he still isn’t saying.

Kenseth, who is leading the Sprint Cup points, will leave Roush Fenway Racing at the end of the season to join a new team.

He said Friday he doesn’t know when his plans for next season will be revealed. “I hoped to do it a couple of weeks ago,” he said. “I don’t know when it’s going to happen. You guys will know the same time I do, guess.”

Junior Hopes Guard Is Safe – After the U.S. Army announced this week that it won’t return as sponsor of Ryan Newman’s cars next season, there were questions about the status of the National Guard sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Motorsports.

Earnhardt Jr. said Friday he’s optimistic about the Guard staying on board.

“I was disappointed to hear about the Army,” he said. “I feel our program is really productive. I feel like ours is successful."

Bayne To Honor Tennessee Coach – Former University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt will be honored Aug. 24 prior to and during the Food City 250 Nationwide Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Roush Fenway Racing driver Trevor Bayne is scheduled to drive a “Tennessee” orange car in the race as a tribute to Summitt, the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history. She has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The car will carry a “We Back Pat” theme.

Summitt will be the race’s grand marshal.

Bayne is a Knoxville, TN resident.

Gordon Returning To Rwanda – Jeff Gordon plans to visit Rwanda during the Sprint Cup Series’ off week next week for the dedication of a cancer hospital he helped established.

Gordon visited the east African country last year and became involved in efforts to fight cancer in the country.

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Hembree

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