Childress re-signs Harvick, GM Goodwrench.

One of the most enduring team/sponsor partnerships in NASCAR history will continue in 2004 and beyond with the news that Richard Childress Racing and GM Goodwrench had reached an agreement to extend their relationship with driver Kevin Harvick.

Californian-born Harvick, who won the 2001 Raybestos Rookie of the Year prize on the back of a stunning debut season for the #29 team, has extended his current contract for an extra three years while GM Goodwrench are on board for another two at least.

GM Goodwrench joined RCR as an associate sponsor on its No. 3 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in 1985 with the late Dale Earnhardt. Three years later, they made the leap to primary sponsor and have enjoyed unparalleled success, accumulating four NASCAR Winston Cup championships with Earnhardt, a Truck Series championship with Mike Skinner, and a total of 68 race wins.

However one of the most familiar team/driver/sponsor partnerships of all came to a tragic end at Daytona in February 2001 when Earnhardt was killed on the final lap of that year's Daytona 500. Knowing that, while the Earnhardt/Goodwrench/Childress connection would never be forgotten, a new identity had to be created which is where Harvick arrived.

Harvick came to RCR in 1999 to head up their newly established Busch Series stable for the 2000 season. After finishing the season third in the points and grabbing Rookie-of-the Year honours, he was thrown into the limelight in the days following Earnhardt's death as his 'replacement' in the team that now bore the number 29 plate.

Despite the near-impossibility of his task, Harvick soared to victory in just his third race and took the No. 29 Chevy to ninth in the points, two race victories and the Winston Cup Rookie-of the-Year title.

"We are extremely proud to continue our relationship with Richard," states Rick L Belle, General Sales Manager, GM Parts, a division of General Motors Corporation. "His organization is one of the best, and has helped us become one of the most recognizable sponsors around the garage area and in the sport. Their dedication to the job and winning ability is exactly what we want representing our 7,000 plus GM dealerships nationwide.

"Kevin's hard work and determination on the track symbolizes what our dealers provide to customers. We look forward to many more wins and championships with Kevin and RCR down the road."

"We put GM Goodwrench on the car for the first time in 1985, along with Wrangler, and they became the primary sponsor in 1988," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "They are one of the most recognizable and successful sponsors in the sport and have brought so much to the table, not only in sponsoring us but also with the advertising, promotional programs and many things that they work on through their dealerships. This contract extension will put us over 20 years together and I just think it's a great relationship. I've built many friendships with them and they're always coming to us with new ideas.

"Kevin is a very talented driver and all he does is want to win so I couldn't be happier having him under contract to drive the GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo for years to come. I think he has all the potential to win the championship. You build a lot of confidence when you can do a long-term deal like we've put together here with Kevin and GM Goodwrench because we know we're all moving forward together."

Harvick's 2002 Winston Cup season included a second win at Chicagoland Speedway, his first Bud Pole (Daytona International Speedway in July), his first Truck Series win (Phoenix International Raceway), and the 2002 International Race of Champions Series championship. He finished 21st in the driver points standings, with five top fives and eight top-10s in 36 starts.

"It's nice to have the job security," says Harvick, who currently sits seventh in the 2003 driver points standings after three races. "I can't say enough about Richard. He has been very good to me and brings a lot of experience to the table because of all he's been through. GM Goodwrench has been a big part of RCR, and their continued support shows their belief in us. It's good to know that we have such big backing from a solid company."