Harvick ready to end California curse.

GM Goodwrench driver Kevin Harvick appears to be cursed when it comes to Cup Series racing at Fontana's California Speedway - even though outsiders would think that the 'Golden State gods' would be looking out for one of their own.

Back in 2001, in Harvick's first race at the two-mile oval with the #29 Monte Carlo, he had a car capable of winning, but broke a valve spring and finished 25th. In 2002, he had another strong run going until a cut tyre late in the race caused him to get into Dale Earnhardt Jr - and 35th position overall. Last year, more tyre problems forced him to pit early and he then got caught a lap down under caution. Harvick finished 29th when he couldn't catch a caution in the late stages to get himself back in contention.

"The tough thing about a racetrack like California is what it can do to a car," admitted crew chief Todd Berrier, "The last couple of times we've been out there, we've blown up motors and had our day end early or got caught in the pits with some kind of problem and never got a chance to get it back. This track puts a little strain on the engine guys, who are trying to figure out how to keep the motors running at such high rpm's for so long without blowing up."

However, 2001 Winston Cup rookie-of-the-year Harvick is determined to step away from the black cloud that California Speedway has held over his head in recent years. A major overhaul of the silver-and-black machine after a Cup Series test at Texas Motor Speedway last month helped Team GM Goodwrench get the car ready for 250 laps around the D-shaped oval, and now it's time for Harvick to break the curse and take a home state chequered flag.

"We're expecting to go there and run well this time around," he said optimistically, " We came back after Texas and had a brand new car sitting in the shop getting ready to go to the paint shop for California. We cut the whole body off and put a new body on it."

Harvick is also hoping that running in the supporting Busch race on Saturday will help him over the hump.

"Honestly, I'd like to win a race at California in either Busch or Cup," he admitted, "That's the biggest reason I'm doing it. It's not really a huge rhythm racetrack that will get me ready for Sunday. Okay, every racetrack is some sort of rhythm racetrack, but it's not a Charlotte, or a Bristol, or Darlington, somewhere like that. I like to keep busy when I'm close to home, so I don't have a lot of distractions - I like to stay in the racecar and keep moving."

Whilst he admits that racing so close to home can prove hard on the concentration, Harvick also confesses that he looks forward to going back West when the opportunity allows.

"It's always fun when you come home and get to see a lot of your friends that you grew up with," he explains, "A lot of family usually comes to the race, so I get to spend some time with my sister and her husband. It's a lot of fun to go to California - the hardest part is trying to have that good weekend because you want to run well in front of all the fans."