Harvick bringing 'Old Faithful' to Phoenix.

While heading to Phoenix International Raceway, Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Service Chevrolet, reverts to familiarity this week: partaking in a whole load of racing and getting to drive his favourite car.

Fresh out of the fabrication shop and on the plate, "Old Faithful" (chassis No. 088), makes its valiant return after a late-day testing accident at Kentucky Speedway (Oct. 23, 2002) sent Harvick's favourite car in for repairs. Old Faithful is the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Harvick won with in Chicago while nailing several other top-tens this summer.

But that won't be all that is fuelling Harvick this weekend. Sporting triple-duty stripes, Harvick will participate in not only the NASCAR Winston Cup event, but also the Truck and Busch Series events on Friday and Saturday (respectively).

"I'm running all three (Truck, Busch, and Cup) this weekend," said Harvick, who also confirmed a partial Busch Series schedule for 2003 this week. "I like staying busy on the track. It's a huge advantage because I'm getting two more days on the track than most of the Winston Cup guys. Everything just spills into each other when you're running more than one race. Plus, you're more likely to be running good somewhere, so that doesn't hurt either.

"The trucks are a great place to come up in NASCAR. It gives you the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of NASCAR and you get a chance to race the same tracks you hope to be racing in Busch or Cup someday. Everyone is laid back, it's about racing, and it's a good time. I'm not going to stop racing the series - well, probably ever - but definitely not until I finally win one (Truck Series race).

"I've got rookie of the year titles, I've got some championships, but I don't have a truck win and that's aggravating.

"We're running the Busch car with RCR (Richard Childress Racing). It's my last Busch event of the season. We've run well in that Busch car every time we've run it. The finish might not show, but every time it's been like we get wrecked or something has happened - like rain."

In a very chatty mood as he headed to the track that has been nicknamed 'The Jewel in the Desert,' Harvick also enthused about getting back behind the wheel of the chassis that drove him to his sole Winston Cup victory this year

"Chassis No. 88 by far is our best car," he beamed. "This car has done me no wrong. Every time we take it out, we're in sync with it. We can throw anything at it and it responds every time. The thing about it is it's not really all that tricked-out. It's pretty basic, but it flies. We were a little worried that we might run the magic out of it, but that doesn't seem possible.

"Half of the time, racing well means being confident in what you're driving. I'm confident in everything I drive at RCR, but when you're in a car that has the history that Old Faithful does, it brings it to a whole new level."

The No. 29 GM Goodwrench Service Chevrolet team will also be doing double-duty this weekend as they will also perform pit duties on Harvick's Busch Series No. 29 RCR entry.